Murray State University Athletics
Racers Sign 6-6 Forward Justin Orr
5/12/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Murray State head coach Mick Cronin not only went back to his hometown, he went back to his former high school to sign the latest member of his 2004 men's basketball recruiting class.
On Wednesday, Cronin announced the signing of 6-foot-6 forward Justin Orr of Cincinnati's LaSalle High School to a national letter of intent. Cronin, who guided the Racers to a 28-6 mark in his first year as head coach in 2003-2004, is a 1990 graduate of LaSalle.
“Justin is a great addition to our program,” said Cronin. “He's an extremely versatile player who not only has great basketball skills, but he grew up in the game and knows how to play.
“Justin brings a winning attitude to Murray State as well as a great personality with a solid academic background.”
Orr led LaSalle to a No. 1 state ranking during his senior season, earning second-team all-state honors, as well as being named first-team all-city by the Cincinnati Enquirer and Greater Catholic League South player of the year.
“Coach Cronin was a big influence, and I just liked (the university) when I visited,” Orr told the Enquirer.
This season, Orr led LaSalle in scoring (17.8 ppg), rebounding (6.3 rpg) and blocked shots (1.1 bpg). His senior season was bittersweet, however, as he had knee surgery at the end of the regular season to force him to the sidelines for the remainder of the season.
“He's fully recovered and we expect him to be full speed when he gets here in August,” Cronin commented.
LaSalle was 19-0 and ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Division I state poll when Orr's season ended on Feb. 19. LaSalle still advanced to the regional tournament but was hindered by the loss of its top player.
“We might have gone even further in the tournament with Justin,” LaSalle head coach Dan Fleming said.
Orr is the nephew of former NBA player Louis Orr, the head coach at Seton Hall.
Wednesday's signing of Orr brings the Racers' recruiting class for 2004 up to six. Issian Redding, a 6-6 forward and 6-7 forward Charles Johnson, both of South Plains (Texas) College, as well as 6-5 guard Shane Dansby of Nashville's Harpeth High School and 6-7 Mike McCoy of Pike High School in Indianapolis, Ind., all signed with the Racers in the fall. MSU added 6-8 forward Reggie Jackson of Lamar (Colo.) Community College in the spring signing period last month.
