Muniru's Letter Is In, Rounds Out IU's Class

Bloomington – The final piece of the Hoosiers’ 2009 recruiting class is in place.

Indiana University announced this evening that 6’11”, 250-pound center Bawa Muniru has sent in his National Letter of Intent. Muniru’s letter is the sixth and final letter IU coaches were expecting during the early signing period, which runs Nov. 12-19.

The 32nd-ranked center in the 2009 class according to Scout.com, Muniru averaged 16.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.8 blocks last season at Madison (Ala.) Academy. Muniru transferred to Charis Prep in the off-season for a year of postgraduate work, but was recently forced to transfer again to Mt. Zion Academy in North Carolina when the NCAA ruled that it would not accept grades from Charis Prep.

Muniru’s uncertain academic situation created some doubt about whether or not he would sign with IU this week. But as we first reported on Monday, the IU staff now feels comfortable that the big man will be able to meet the NCAA’s entrance requirements and be eligible to play next fall.

“Bawa is someone that brings size and presence to our frontline right off the bat,” IU Coach Tom Crean said in a prepared statement. “We are impressed with his work ethic and desire to get better.”

As one of four frontcourt players in IU’s ’09 class, Muniru’s biggest contributions early on figure to be on the defensive end. But he’s also someone Crean believes can develop on the offensive end as well during his IU career.

“His upside is huge for us, and all Indiana fans, because they are going to get a chance to watch him grow and develop as time goes on,” Crean said.

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