Recruiting News: Big Red Add Forward

The Cornell Big Red received a verbal commitment this week from forward, Josh Figini. The new recruit made his decision following a visit to Cornell during the weekend of February 13.

Figini is a 6'9" combo-forward from Chisago City, Minnesota and Chisago High School. As a high school junior he averaged 23 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks per game. Josh shot 55% from the floor 42% from three point range, and 76% on free throws.

Figini was All-North Suburban Conference as a sophomore and junior. He earned the Minneapolis Tribune February 1, 2008 Player of the Week and finished on the St. Paul Press Third Team All-State Team. Also as a junior, he was also named to Minnesota Basketball News' second team All-State squad. The Chisago County Press noted, "Figini is the rare breed of ball-handling big man. His ability to not only score inside with his 6'8" frame, but to also break the press bringing the ball up the court, or shoot effectively from beyond the arc has catapulted him to all-star games around the state, and numerous awards."

Heading into the summer of 2008, MinnesotaPreps.com ranked Figini as the #16 player in the state and evaluated him during the summer of 2008 as f0llows:

He runs a lot like Jon Leuer and there are parts of his game that are reminiscent of Leuer although Josh is at least two inches shorter as well as thinner. Figini was versatile enough to bring the ball up some for the Glory and he also showed some quality pull-up jumpers. Josh has a soft touch on his shot with range.

As a senior, through February 17, 2009, Figini is averaging 25. 5 points and 14.0 rebounds. per game He was the Pioneer Press Athlete of the Week on December 9 and February 17. He was also the Minneapolis Tribune Athlete of the Week on December 9 after exploding for 46 points and 22 rebounds in a game against Princeton High School. He is nominated for the McDonald's All-American Game.

Figini is one of 15 finalists for Minnesota's Mr. Basketball. The list includes the following:

Josh Figini, Chisago Lakes (committed to Cornell)
Rodney Williams, Cooper (signed with Minnesota)
Mike Bruesewitz, Henry Sibley (signed with Wisconsin)
Chris Halvorsen, Henry Sibley (signed with Valparaiso)
Royce White, Hopkins (signed with Minnesota)
Mike Broghammer, Hopkins (signed with Notre Dame)
Trent Lockett, Hopkins (signed with Arizona State)
Raymond Cowels, Hopkins (signed with Santa Clara)
Sam Dower, Osseo (signed with Gonzaga)
Tydan Storrusten, Pelican Rapids
Mike Felt, Redwood Valley (signed with North Dakota State)
Mike Muscala, Roseville (signed with Bucknell)
Jordair Jett, St. Bernard's
Nate Wolters, St. Cloud Tech
Marc Sonnen, Tartan (signed with Northern Iowa)

An excellent student, Figini's GPA is 4.0, and he is a member of the National Honor Society. Josh is also a student council member, and plays saxophone in his high school jazz band.

GopherIllustrated.com, MNSportsPreview.com and MinnesotaPreps.com all noted that Samford and Belmont were also involved in Figini's recruitment.

"Figini has offers from Augustana and Southwest State, but is waiting and hoping for a division one opportunity," Charlie Paxson, Figini's Minnesota Glory AAU Coach told MinnesotaPreps.com during the early fall. He continued, "Colorado, Belmont, and Minnesota have shown interest, but not offered. Figini is an unbelievable athlete. He can shoot the three or dunk with ease and he's the ultimate team player. Josh can play the two, three, or four positions." Chisago Lakes head coach Herb Jango added, "A number of mid division ones along with many division two and division three schools have called and asked about him. Top on Josh's list at this time are Augustana (SD), Winona State, Bethel, and Cornell out of the Ivy League."