Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany men's basketball coach Will Brown announced on Wednesday, June 24 that Fran Urli, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward from Zagreb, Croatia, has signed a national letter of intent to play for the Great Danes in the 2009-10 academic year.

            Urli was selected to the All-Region XIV honorable mention all-conference team in his sophomore season at Panola College in Texas.  He averaged 10.2 points and 7.1 rebounds, plus shot 48.4 percent from the field in leading his team to a 16-14 campaign.  Urli ranked 16th among the Region XIV leaders in rebounding.   He received the Buddy Lowery Award as the school's top male student-athlete and was chosen academic all-conference.  Urli contributed 6.0 points and 3.3 rebounds as a freshman in his first year at the Texas school.  He is the fourth player from the Panola program to sign with a Division I program.

            "Fran Urli is a very skilled power forward who can score inside and out," said UAlbany coach Will Brown about a player who was a member of the Croatian U16 and U18 national teams.  "He will add talent and versatility to our lineup and I expect him to present match-up challenges for our opponents.  More importantly, Fran is a great person and an excellent student."

            Gavin Glanton, a 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward from Forrest City, Ark. (Forrest City H.S.), Blake Metcalf, a 6-foot-9, 250-pound center from Camby, Ind. (Plainfield H.S.), and Ralph Watts, a 6-foot-5, 195-pound swingman from Peekskill, N.Y. (Peekskill H.S.), each signed during the November period. Mike Black, a 6-foot, 175-pound guard from Chicago, Ill. (Oak Park Fenwick H.S.) and Derrek Tartt, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound guard from Chicago, Ill. (Oak Park Fenwick H.S. / Brewster Academy), each made his commitment in April.

*********

2009-10 University at Albany Men's Basketball Signings

Name                                       Pos.     Cl.        Ht.        Wt.       Hometown (Previous School)

Mike Black                                G          Fr.        6-0        175       Chicago, Ill. (Oak Park Fenwick)

Gavin Glanton                            F          Fr.        6-7        215       Forrest City, Ark. (Forrest City)

Blake Metcalf                            C          Fr.        6-9        250       Camby, Ind. (Plainfield)

Derrek Tartt                               G          Fr.        6-3        180       Chicago, Ill. (Oak Park Fenwick / Brewster Academy)

Fran Urli                                    F          Jr.         6-8        220       Zagreb, Croatia (Panola College)

Ralph Watts                              G/F       Fr.        6-5        195       Peekskill, N.Y. (Peekskill)