BEAUMONT, Texas – High school standouts Jordan Foster (Lafayette, La./Comeaux HS) and Avery Sullivan (Pflugerville, Texas/Pflugerville HS) have signed National Letters of Intent, and will continue their education at Lamar University announced Cardinals head coach Tic Price Wednesday afternoon. Both players bring added size to the Cardinals front court. Sullivan is 6-8, 220 pounds, while Foster is 6-9, 225.

“When we began evaluating needs, we felt like we needed more size,” said Price. “We’ve got some very skilled post guys but we are undersized. For us to turn the corner we needed more size to be able to match up better in the low post.

“Both of these young men fill a need. These are two very talented high school players who give us some added bulk. I believe they have the ability to come in and push for playing time immediately. These are guys that I believe will wreak havoc in the Southland for the next four years,” added Price.

Both players are considered workhorses on the defensive end of the floor. Sullivan averaged seven rebounds and nearly two blocks per game, while Foster averaged five blocks per game during his junior campaign.

Sullivan is considered one of the top players in the Austin area. Ranked as the district newcomer of the year last season, Sullivan enters his senior campaign ranked 19th in Alamo City Hoops. He averaged 12 points, nine rebounds per game and 1.5 blocks per contest.

“Avery was just consistent every time we saw him play,” said Price. “He would step out and knock down a high post jump shot – which we need posts to do in our system – but he is strong enough to post up. We just feel like his best basketball is ahead of him. I think being able to come in and learn from some of our older guys will really help his career.”

A two-star prospect, Sullivan shot 67 percent from the field as a junior and is ranked among the state’s top-75 players according to hoops.com.

Another two-star prospect, Foster comes to Beaumont from Lafayette, La., where he led Comeaux High School to a 32nd ranking in the state. Named one of the top-10 players at the Vegas Big Shot camp, Foster is considered a force on the defensive side of the ball. He finished second all-time in blocks at the STM Sunkist tournament, behind only current Texas A&M Aggie Robert Williams.

“When we recruited Jordan, we saw a guy who was strong on the blocks and would attack the rim,” said Price. “He can rebound in traffic. I like the way he attacks the basket. Jordan didn’t go to the lane looking for a finger roll, he went in looking to dunk the ball. I also like the way he runs the floor,”

“This kid is strong despite having never done a lot of work in the weight room. I’m excited to see where he will be after a couple of years working with our strength and conditioning staff,” added Price.

Both signees have proven themselves as standouts in the classroom as well. Avery is an Academic All-District selection, while Foster plans to pursue an electrical engineering degree.

“Both of these young men work very hard in the classroom,” said Price. “A lot of times fans can get so focused on what takes place on the court that we forget the ‘student’ in student-athlete. Both players are the epitome of what a student-athlete should be.”

The 2016-17 version of the Cardinals will step on the court to tip off the new season Friday evening against Howard Payne. The game against the Yellow Jackets is slated to begin at 7 p.m. from the Montagne Center.

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