Xavier University athletics

Two from California join Gold Rush
 For immediate release . . . September 8, 2006
NEW ORLEANS — Californians Brandon Fleming of Inglewood and Aaron Burgess of Lancaster signed men's basketball scholarships with Xavier University of Louisiana, head coach Dannton Jackson announced Friday.

Both are eligible for the 2006-07 season. Fleming will be a freshman, and Burgess will be a senior.

Fleming, a 6-foot-5 forward, averaged 18 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals per game this past season for Inglewood High School. A three-year starter, he was first-team all-Ocean League his senior year after leading the Sentinels (15-8) in scoring and assists.

Burgess, a 6-8 center, transferred from San Francisco State University, an NCAA Division II school, where he played just 59 minutes in 15 games but averaged 9.5 rebounds per 40 minutes. He played his first two collegiate seasons at Division III UC Santa Cruz and averaged 7.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game as a freshman. Burgess is a 2003 graduate of Murrieta Valley High School, where he played one varsity season.

Xavier did not compete in 2005-06 because of the effects of Hurricane Katrina, but this fall the Gold Rush will resume its bid for a fourth consecutive 20-victory season and a third consecutive appearance in the NAIA national tournament. Xavier will visit Southeastern Conference member Arkansas in an Oct. 31 exhibition before opening the regular season at home Nov. 3 against Texas College. The remainder of the schedule will be released when it is complete.

Xavier's recruiting class for the 2006-07 season:

Name                  Pos.  Ht.   Wt.   Yr.   Hometown/High School (Previous College)
Devin Andrew            G   6-4   175   Fr.   Harvey, La./Vandebilt Catholic
Aaron Burgess           C   6-8   250   Sr.   Lancaster, Calif./Murrieta Valley 
                                                (San Francisco State)
Brandon Fleming         F   6-5   180   Fr.   Inglewood, Calif./Inglewood
Rashaad Lewis           F   6-6   205   Fr.   Cuthbert, Ga./Randolph-Clay
Anthony "T.J." Prince   F   6-9   175   Fr.   Alpharetta, Ga./Patterson
Xavier University of Louisiana • New Orleans
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