Cleveland State University men's basketball coach Gary Waters announced
Thursday that CSU has signed two junior college student-athletes to national letters of intent to attend CSU and play basketball for the school beginning this fall. Signing with the Vikings are Lance Janes (Lithonia Springs, GA / Aiken Tech) and Jared Cunningham (Oregon City, OR / Fort Smith). The acquisitions of the all-American point guard and power forward will help to fill voids on the team left by graduating seniors.

Joining James and Cunningham this fall will be guard Anthony Wells (Shaker Heights, OH) and forward Kevin Anderson (Irving, TX/Southern Idaho JC) who signed with the program during the fall.

Waters said:

"The addition of both Lance and Jared to the Viking basketball family will help us to offset the losses caused by the graduation of our five seniors. They will allow us to play the kind of pressure defensive basketball that I have been longing to play here but only used in spots because of our limited depth."

James earned third team All-America honors from the National Junior College Athletic Association this past season, ranking seventh nationally in scoring with 23.4 points a game at Aiken Tech. He was fifth in the nation in steals (3.3) and 16th in three-point field goal percentage (61-125, .488) and assists (6.1).

Of James, Waters said:

"Lance will provide some immediate support at point guard, a position where we have a strong need because of the departure of Cedric Jackson. His perimeter scoring will enhance our offense and he also excels as a leader on the floor. He will be a good fit for our style of play."

Cunningham, a power forward, was a two-year starter at Arkansas-Fort Smith. He helped the team to a 51-13 record over two seasons, and averaged 10.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in his two seasons. He shot .509 from the field (216-424), .387 from three point (65-168) and .798 from the line (83-104).

Speaking of Cunningham, Waters commented:

"Jared's ability to shoot the three-ball, defend the paint and rebound will help us immediately to fill the loss of our four senior post players. He has the size and mobility to be a solid defender, rebounder and scorer for us."

The Vikings will return two starts and seven letterman for the 2009-2010 season after going 26-11 this year, winning the Horizon League Tournament and defeating Wake Forest in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.