‘Eaters sign three

Three junior college players have signed national letters of intent in the early signing period to continue their careers with the UC Irvine men’s basketball team, Anteaters’ Coach Pat Douglass announced.

Joining the UCI program in 2008-09 will be 6-foot-9 forward Zack Atkinson, 6-5 guard Aaron England and 6-2 guard Darren Moore.

Atkinson, whom Douglass said is the most gifted athlete he has recruited during his 11 seasons, is in his second season at Feather River College in Quincy, Calif., averaged 10 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.9 blocks through six games.

Atkinson was a unanimous choice for the Golden Valley Conference All-Defensive team last season. He had 11 blocked shots in a 76-72 win over College of the Redwoods last season and recorded his first triple-double as he added 12 points and 13 rebounds. Atkinson is a graduate of Lee Central High in Bishopville, S.C.

“[Atkinson] is a great shot blocker who really runs the court well and his offensive game has expanded every season,” Douglass said in a statement.

Atkinson also took official visits to South Carolina, West Virginia, Fresno State and Idaho.

England is in his first season at College of Eastern Utah after redshirting at Utah State a year ago. He earned first-team all-state honors from the Salt Lake Tribune at Cyprus High in West Valley, Utah, in 2005-06, when he averaged 15.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists as a senior. The two-time team MVP played in Utah’s 5A-4A All-Star game after his senior season.

“Aaron gives us size at a wing position,” Douglass said. “He is a good shooter and rebounder who has unlimited potential.”

Moore is in his first season at Citrus College after playing at Northern Colorado last season. He is averaging 12.5 points and shooting 53% from the field (46% from three-point range) this season for Citrus (8-0), which is ranked No. 7 in the state.

Moore played in all 28 games with three starts at Northern Colorado, averaging 2.9 points, 1.7 rebounds and shooting 45% from the field. A 2006 graduate of Ayala High in Chino Hills, Moore averaged 22.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 3.0 assists per game as a senior. The Sierra League Co-MVP was second-team All-CIF Southern Section as a senior and a junior at Ayala.

“Darren is an exceptional defender who is surprising everyone with his shooting ability this season,” Douglass said. “He is a hard worker who will be a welcome addition to our program next season.”

— From staff reports