Sneed Joins Basketball Signing Class

Lincoln -- Dillion Sneed has signed a National Letter-of-Intent to attend the University of Nebraska and play basketball beginning in the 2004-05 season, Nebraska Coach Barry Collier announced Monday. Sneed joins center Aleks Maric and guard Joe McCray, who signed last Wednesday on the first day of the early signing period, in the 2004 recruiting class.

"We are excited to have these three guys coming into our program," Collier said. "We think this is a very solid recruiting class. These three represent our future and fit in very well with our current team."

A 6-7, 230-pound forward, Sneed, who has played organized basketball for just three years, significantly boosted his rating with his solid play at the King of the Court All-American Junior College Challenge and Rick Ball’s Elite Eighty Camp this past summer.

Sneed has helped Colby (Kan.) Community College to a top-10 national ranking and a 7-0 start in 2003-04. He has averaged 8.4 points and 6.1 rebounds in 19 minutes per game. He ranks first on the team and among the top five in the region in field-goal percentage after hitting 26-of-34 shots (.765) from the floor this season. Sneed posted 16 points and nine rebounds in the season opener against Kansas Wesleyan and had his best game of the season with 19 points on 9-of-12 shooting and 13 rebounds against Central Nebraska last week.

Last season, the Chicago native averaged 2.9 points and 2.0 rebounds per game, but has displayed a tenacious presence on the boards while showing solid ability to finish inside in 2003.

"Dillion's junior college experience and aggressiveness really sets him up to be an immediate impact player," Collier said.

Sneed averaged 10 points and 7.5 rebounds per game as a senior at Gordon Tech High School in Chicago for Coach Scott Bogumil. Sneed, who led the team with 2.4 blocks per game, hit 49.8 percent from the floor while helping Gordon Tech to a 23-5 record in 2002. Sneed was named to the All-Catholic League team before leading his squad to the regional title in the state playoffs, where he recorded 23 points and 10 rebounds in the regional championship game.

Dillion Sneed on becoming a Husker
"The atmosphere of the school was great when I came on a visit and I felt that I could fit in there. Playing in that arena and in the Big 12 Conference was definitely attractive because it is the best conference in the nation."

Colby (Kan.) Community College Coach Brian Ostermann on Dillion Sneed
"Dillion has made a great deal of progress from his freshman year. He is bigger and stronger and is starting to use his strength more to his advantage this season. Now we are working with him to become more consistent using those tools. Dillion fits a need for Nebraska in that he is 6-7, 230 pounds, athletic and strong."