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7-Foot-1 Transfer Will Give Long Beach Recruiting a Boost

The Long Beach State men’s basketball recruiting class, already rated as its best in more than two decades by Southland recruiting evaluators, received another boost Monday when 7-foot-1 junior center Andrew Betts transferred to Long Beach from C.W. Post.

Under NCAA rules, Betts, 19, must complete a year of residence and 24 units at Long Beach. He will become eligible after the 1997 fall semester ends in December. Betts began practicing with the 49ers Monday.

A native of Ibstock, England, Betts averaged 12.1 points and 10.6 rebounds in seven games this season for C.W. Post, a Division II team in Brookville, N.Y. As a sophomore, Betts averaged 15.7 points and 12 rebounds in 29 games. He was selected second-team All-New York City Athletic Conference.

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Long Beach coaches expect Betts to replace senior starter Ike Nwankwo, who transferred from UCLA to Long Beach last season. The 49ers also have received letters of intent from other players expected to make an impact next season, including Schea Cotton, a star forward at Bellflower St. John Bosco, and standout Inglewood guard David Egans.

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