GSW inks 6-foot-4 shooting guard from Canton, Ga.

Matt Mendell, a graduate of North Cobb Christian School in Kennesaw, has signed an athletic scholarship agreement to attend Georgia Southwestern and join the men's basketball team, head coach Mike Leeder announced today.

Mendell is the first player signed by the Hurricanes for the 2008-09 season.

"We are very excited that Matt has agreed to continue his academic and athletic career at GSW," said Leeder. "Matt comes from an outstanding high school program and received top rate coaching from Coach Matta." 

North Cobb Christian head coach Greg Matta is the older brother of Ohio State University men's basketball head coach Thad Matta.

Mendell averaged 14 points and 5.2 rebounds per game his senior season while earning 2008 GISA All-Region honors in 1AAA.  North Cobb was 68-2 over the last two seasons and was a perfect 35-0 this past season, winning their second consecutive GISA Class AAA state championship.

"Matt will bring to us an ability to stretch defenses with his long range shooting and we look forward to watching him grow in our program," said Leeder.

GSW returns three starters, including All-Peach Belt Conference selection Anthony Sargent, from a squad that finished 8-19 in 2007-08.