Manuel Cass signs NLI to Play at DePaul

CHICAGO – Carbondale (Ill.) High School standout Manuel Cass has signed a National Letter-of-Intent to play basketball at DePaul it was announced today by Blue Demon head coach Jerry Wainwright.

“We are extremely pleased that Manuel has decided to join the Blue Demon basketball family” Wainwright said. “Manuel was a player who I thought played with as much intensity and commitment as anyone I saw this summer. He is a special athlete who will make an immediate impact on our program with his speed and positive attitude. It is also great to have a player from the southern part of the state who recognizes what a great opportunity DePaul University provides for him both as a player and a student.”

Cass, a 6-7, 205-pound forward, averaged over 16 points and nine rebounds a junior. A high honorable mention All-American selection by Street and Smith’s, Cass comes from a winning program as he has been a part of Carbondale’s back-to-back state tournament teams and last season helped them to a 31-1 record and a second place finish.

The Blue Demons begin the 2005-06 season, it’s first as a member of the BIG EAST Conference and Wainwright’s first as head coach, on Saturday when they host Bradley at the Allstate Arena. Game time is 1 p.m. (CST).