6'9" forward from North Carolina will join the Golden Flashes as a freshman in the fall

KENT, Ohio –  Kent State men's basketball Head Coach Geno Ford has announced the signing of Darius Leonard to a National Letter of Intent.  A 6'9", 205-pound forward, Leonard is the seventh commitment signed by the Golden Flashes for the 2010-11 season.  

"Darius is a highly talented, athletic forward with good range.  Players like him have thrived in our program," said Ford, who led the Golden Flashes to the 2010 Mid-American Conference title this past season.  "Our coaching staff could not be happier he chose Kent State and we look forward to the positive impact he will make with our team both on and off the court. "

Playing for Kestrel Heights High School this past season, Leonard was rated the 35th best senior in the state of North Carolina by the Charlotte Observer and earned All-Area Honorable Mention honors from Trianglehoops.net.  ESPN.com ranked him the 118th best power forward in the country.  Leonard averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds per game while leading Kestrel Heights to a 37-7 record. 

"Darius is a good kid who works extremely hard," said Kestrel Heights Head Coach Howard Thomas.  "He is a winner that will fit right into their program.  He was so impressed with his trip to Kent State that he canceled his other visits." 

The Golden Flashes now have seven commitments signed for the 2010-11 season.  Leonard joins Michael Porrini (Jr., G, 6'2", 200, Massillon, Ohio / Gulf Coast C.C. [Fla.]) as the second addition to the program this spring.  In November Kent State signed DeAndre Nealy (Jr., F, 6'6", 230, Detroit, Mich. / Mott J.C. [Mich.]), Carlton Guyton (Jr., G, 6'4", 175, Chicago, Ill. / Mineral Area C.C. [Mo.]), Eric Gaines (Fr., G, 6'4", 180, Chicago, Ill. / Hillcrest H.S), Mark Henninger (Fr., F, 6'8", 190, Massillon, Ohio / Massillon-Jackson H.S.) and Kenny Knight (Fr., F, 6'7", 205, Cincinnati, Ohio / Aiken H.S.).
 
This past season Kent State produced a 24-10 overall record and a Mid-American Conference Regular Season Championship with a 13-3 mark.  The Golden Flashes storied program is one of just 11 schools in the country to win at least 20 games in 11 of the last 12 years and ranks 16th nationally over that time span with 281 victories.