April 21, 2008

Cory Cooperwood, a two-time junior college All-American at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Alabama, has signed a letter of intent to attend Wright State University and play for the Raiders next fall, WSU head coach Brad Brownell announced Monday.

Cooperwood, a 6-7, 215-pound forward, averaged 15.1 points and 8.1 rebounds last season as Wallace State posted a 32-1 overall record. Ranked the 22nd best junior college player in the nation by jucojunction.com, the Kensett, Arkansas, native also collected 50 blocks while starting in every game. He also shot 58% from the field and 70% from the free throw line.

"We are extremely pleased to have Cory join our program," Brownell said. "He is a talented player who has played pivotal roles on successful teams at the high school and junior college levels. Cory plays the game with a great deal of energy and consistently makes plays at both ends of the floor. He will add athleticism and rebounding to our front court."

As a freshman, Cooperwood averaged 16.2 points and 8.0 rebounds along with 50 blocks, 42 steals and 53 assists en route to being named the Alabama Junior College Player of the Year for the first of two times.

The Raiders have lost two starters to graduation from last year's 21-10 squad. During the early signing period, Wright State signed 6-8 Jeron Lewis of Northeastern Community College in Sterling, Colorado.


Cory Cooperwood's Career Statistics at Wallace State

Year	GP	FG-A	Pct.	3FG-A	Pct.	FT-A	Pct.	O-D-TR	Avg.	PF	A	BL	ST	Pts.	Avg.
2006-07	30	171-328	.521	0-0	.000	144-207	.696	83-156-239	8.0	78	57	50	42	486	16.2
2007-08	33	191-329	.581	4-7	.571	111-157	.707	94-173-267	8.1	78	53	50	27	497	15.1
Totals	63	362-657	.551	4-7	.571	255-364	.701	177-329-506	8.0	156	110	100	69	983	15.6