Nov. 13, 2002

Champaign, Ill. - University of Illinois men's basketball coach Bill Self announced today the signing of Warren Carter, Richard McBride and Brian Randle to national letters of intent on the first day of the fall signing period.

"We're very excited about this class, although it is kind of anti-climactic since all three committed over the summer," said Illinois coach Bill Self. "This is a skilled, athletic class that will be a good addition to the two previous classes. Our entire staff of Norm Roberts, Wayne McClain and Billy Gillispie all played a pivotal role in the recruitment of these young men. All three young men have been well coached and have had a high level of success with their high school and AAU programs."

McBride and Randle are both multiple all-state selections in the state of Illinois, while Carter is the fourth Texas native to join the Illini in the last two years, joining current UI freshmen Deron Williams and Kyle Wilson, and Tulsa-transfer Jack Ingram.

Carter, a 6-foot-9-inch forward, is a consensus national Top 100 player who averaged 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.5 blocked shots last year at Lake Highlands High School in Dallas. He was the first player to commit to Illinois in May. Carter has good athleticism to run the floor and shooting range out to the 3-point line.

McBride, a powerful 6-foot-3-inch guard from Springfield Lanphier High School, has started on Lanphier's varsity since his freshman season and has earned all-state honors following his sophomore and junior seasons. He averaged 18 points, five rebounds and four assists last season in helping Lanphier to a 32-2 record and second-place finish in the Illinois state tournament.

Randle, a 6-foot-8-inch forward from Peoria Notre Dame High School, also has earned all-state honors as a sophomore and junior and enters his senior year ranked among the consensus Top 70 players in the nation. Randle averaged 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots a game last season and continues a tradition of outstanding Peoria players for the Fighting Illini.

Illinois has one remaining scholarship that can be issued during the next signing period in April.

WARREN CARTER
Forward
6-9, 210
Dallas, Texas
High School: Lake Highlands
High School Coach: Rob Wylie

Notes: #73 by TheInsidersHoops.com ... #25 power forward by RivalsHoops.com ... #96 by The Hoop Scoop ... Last year, he averaged 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and 4.5 blocked shots for his 20-12 Class 5A high school team ... Brother, Kevin, plays basketball at Collin County Community College in Texas ... Played AAU ball with the Ft. Worth Lions coached by Mike Hatch, the same team on which future Illini teammate Deron Williams played last year.

Self on Carter: "Warren Carter is the sleeper of this class. He's a legitimate 6-foot-9-inches who is very active, can run and jump, and is very skilled. Even though we know he needs weight and strength, we feel his upside is tremendous. He gives us a much-needed shot blocker. We appreciate Warren and his family, as well as coach Rob Wylie's loyalty throughout the recruitment and coaching change when Billy Gillispie, who was the point man on Warren's recruitment, went to UTEP."

RICHARD MCBRIDE
Guard
6-3, 200
Springfield Ill.
High School: Springfield Lanphier
High School Coach: Craig Patton

Notes: Started on Lanphier's varsity team since his freshman year ... Lanphier is 81-11 combined during his three years as a starter ... Lanphier made it to the title game of the 2002 IHSA Class AA State Tournament, finishing the season 32-2 ... In 76-72 loss to Chicago Westinghouse in the title game, McBride led Lanphier, finishing with 22 points, 11 rebounds and four assists and torching the nets for six second-half 3-pointers ... Averaged 18 points, five rebounds and four assists last season while shooting 49-percent from the field and 43-percent from 3-point range ... Three-time All-Conference selection ... Conference Player of the Year as a sophomore ... All-State selection as a sophomore and junior by Chicago Sun-Times ... First Team All-State selection by Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette as a sophomore and junior ... #27 by The Hoop Scoop ... #5 shooting guard and #32 player overall by RivalsHoops.com ... #33 by TheInsidersHoops.com ... Played on USA North team at the 2002 USA Basketball Men's Youth Development Festival ... AAU teammate with Brian Randle on the Ft. SOOY team coached by Verdell Jones.

Self on McBride: "Richard McBride is a young man who people at the University of Illinois, whether under Coach Kruger or our staff, have wanted to sign since he was a freshman in high school. He is strong, very skilled and deceptively explosive. We feel Rich is one of the very premier perimeter players in America. He's used to winning and has had great success under the tutelage of Craig Patton. Rich already has a Big Ten body and is big enough to play all three perimeter positions. He can create opportunities for others, but he can score as well."

BRIAN RANDLE
Forward
6-8, 190
East Peoria, Ill.
High School: Peoria Notre Dame
High School Coach: Eddie Matthews

Notes: All-Conference as a junior ... #49 by ESPN.com ... #52 by The Hoop Scoop ... #71 by TheInsidersHoops.com ... #18 small forward and #70 player overall by RivalsHoops.com ... Averaged 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots a game last season ... 4.0 student at Peoria Notre Dame High School ... First Team All-State selection by Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette as a sophomore and junior ... Sister, Marisa, is a sophomore at Illinois ... AAU teammate with Richard McBride on the Ft. SOOY team coached by Verdell Jones.

Self on Randle: "Brian Randle is a young man whom we have been recruiting since he was at our basketball camp three summers ago. His first step is as explosive as anyone you'll find at 6-feet-8. He is a tall perimeter player who could be a great rebounder and defensive stopper. Brian will have to adjust his game to the perimeter after primarily being an inside player throughout high school, but we feel his best position at the college level will be on the perimeter. We feel Brian is finally healthy after struggling over the last year with injuries and is looking forward to showing everyone the improvements he's made in his game. He joins a long list of Peorians who have put their stamps on the Illinois program."