TicketsAug. 27, 2012
CINCINNATI - David Nyarsuk (pronounced NAHR-suk), a 7-1, 230-pound center from Juba, Sudan, has signed a letter of financial aid to attend the University of Cincinnati and play basketball for the Bearcats head coach Mick Cronin announced Monday.
Nyarsuk has been cleared to play immediately by the NCAA and will have two years of eligibility at UC, beginning with the 2012-13 campaign. He played the last two seasons at Mountain State University, an NAIA school in Beckley, W.Va.
"We are very excited to add David to the Bearcat family," UC head coach Mick Cronin said. "He was a top 20 prospect at his position coming out of high school and has proven to be a great shot blocker as a college player. He is a wonderful person and will be a great addition to our team."
During his stay with the Cougars, Nyarsuk helped guide the program to the 2011 NAIA Division I national championship game, the 2012 national semifinals and a 59-15 combined record. He ranked second in the nation in blocks as a freshman (97) and sophomore (102) while averaging 10.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.8 blocks during his two seasons. During the 2011-12 campaign, Nyarsuk averaged 9.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.9 blocks while shooting 55.7 percent from the field and recording eight double-doubles. The Cougars finished last year ranked fourth in the final coaches' top 25 poll.
Nyarsuk ranked as the 19th-best center in the 2010 recruiting class according to ESPN. Prior to Mountain State University, Nyarsuk attended Mountain State Academy, also in Beckley, W.Va., where he averaged 10 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks during the 2009-10 season. He averaged 10.1 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.9 blocks at The Patterson School in Lenoir, N.C. during the 2008-09 campaign.
At 7-1, Nyarsuk will be the tallest player in program history. Previously, only three players have been listed as tall as 7-0 at UC: Marty Dow (1987), Anthony McClain (2008-11) and Mike Reicheneker (1991-92).