June 9, 2005
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Lafayette men's basketball coach Fran O'Hanlon completed his recruiting class on Thursday, announcing the signing of a pair of post players from New York and Illinois and a point guard from Colorado.
A 5-11 point guard, Andrew Brown (Littleton, Colo./Heritage) was named the Colorado Player of the Year by the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News. He helped lead Heritage to consecutive Continental League championships. In Brown's senior year, his squad won the Class 5A Big School state title and ranked as high as 43rd in the nation.
In 2004-05, Brown averaged 18.4 points, 5.8 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. He scored 30 points on nine three-pointers while also dishing out seven assists against W.T. White (Texas). Brown also managed a 19-point, nine-assist, seven-rebound effort vs. Highland Ranch and notched 13 points and 11 assists vs. archrival Arapahoe.
An honor roll student, Brown finished his high school career with 1332 points, 371 assists and 216 rebounds. The Littleton, Colo. native was a 39 percent career three-point shooter, making 215, and he ranks second in the state for three-pointers in a season (100).
"Andrew Brown is a proven winner and a pure point guard who has the potential to be an impact player," O'Hanlon said. "His does an excellent job of running the team when he is on the floor and has a tremendous feel for the game. He is an excellent passer but can also score if needed.
Tom Leszczynski (West Babylon, N.Y./St. Anthony's) is a 6-10 center from St. Anthony's in South Huntington, N.Y. where he earned All-State First-Team honors in Class A. The West Babylon, N.Y. native averaged 15.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 2.0 steals per game during his senior season when his squad posted a 22-6 record.
Leszczynski's career-high scoring game was a 28-point performance against Chaminade. He poured in 19 points and snatched 14 rebounds in a 61-50 victory over Peekskill to lead his team to a New York State Federation Class A championship. St. Anthony's also won the Suffolk CHSAA Class A title and later earned the CHSAA Class A state title by beating St. John's Prep.
Leszczynski collected All-League, All-Suffolk County and All-Long Island First Team honors in his senior year. During his two-year varsity career, the high honor roll and National Honor Society member finished with 660 points, 636 rebounds, 168 blocks, and 100 steals and 100 assists.
Blake Nielsen (Addison, Ill./Fenwick) was an All-Catholic League player in his senior season at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Ill. Nielsen was part of a very successful program which won 20 or more games over the last four seasons and has recently sent seven players on to Division I basketball. The Friars claimed the regional title for the fourth straight year and advanced to the sectional playoffs with a 20-7 record. Neilsen averaged 8.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game as a senior and also managed nearly three assists per contest over his three-year playing career.
The 6-8 forward/center also played for the Illinois Wolves Under-17 AAU team last season which has contributed six student-athletes to the Division I men's basketball ranks.
"Tom Leszczynski and Blake Nielsen both have very good upsides for us at the post positions," O'Hanlon said. "As they become acclimated to our system and the collegiate game, they will be solid contributors to the Lafayette men's basketball program."
