THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 11, 1995 TAG: 9501110559
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
It's been a good week for the Norfolk State basketball program.
On Monday, the Spartans landed former Booker T. Washington All-American Michael Evans, who will be eligible to play next January.
On Tuesday, the Spartans re-entered the Division II top 20, coming in at No. 14.
Tonight, Norfolk State, which has won six in a row, will add another talented player to the mix with the addition of forward Rodney Carmichael.
Carmichael, a transfer from Salem (N.J.) Community College, enrolled in school Monday and will be eligible immediately. He's expected to play tonight against Fayetteville State. ``We're hoping he can help us,'' Norfolk State coach Mike Bernard said.
Carmichael should add depth to a frontcourt that was thinned by the suspension of center Charles Newborn last week. Newborn, who was leading the CIAA in rebounding, was suspended indefinitely by Bernard for ``disruptive'' behavior.
Carmichael, 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds, was named the New Jersey junior college coach player of the year in 1992-93, the last season he played. The Fayetteville, N.C., native averaged 21.9 points and 9.7 rebounds, and shot 59.7 percent from the field and 45.7 percent from 3-point range.
Carmichael should be able to spell either small forward Corey Williams or power forward Derrick Bryant, who played 40 minutes Saturday against Johnson C. Smith.
Also playing 40 minutes Saturday was 6-8 center Blitz Wooten, who has emerged as a force in the middle since replacing Newborn. Wooten is averaging 15 points, seven rebounds and three blocks over the last three games.
``He showed he can maintain himself on both ends for 40 minutes,'' Bernard said.
Not bad, considering Wooten had sat out a year-and-a-half prior to becoming eligible Dec. 20.
Wooten is shooting 50 percent from the field after a slow start. His hot shooting has been all the more impressive considering he's got a major handicap: poor eyesight.
Coaches discovered the problem recently and ordered contact lenses for Wooten. He'll start using them this week. by CNB