April 2, 2010
Despite having just completed the 2009-10 campaign, UMass Lowell men’s basketball is already looking to the future, signing two new recruits to the class of 2014 in Chris Thompson (Burlington, NJ) and Kerry Weldon (New York, NY).
“We have really upgraded our talent level as well as our speed and athleticism,” head coach Greg Herenda said. “I feel very fortunate to have Kerry and Chris sign with us. My staff did a great job getting involved with these guys early in the process and our University sold itself.”
“And quite selfishly I love getting some kids from the New Jersey/New York area,” said Herenda, a product of the Garden State. “It will help us down the road in recruiting more kids from the Metropolitan area."
New Jersey native Thompson just completed his senior season at the Life Center Academy in Burlington, under Coach Wilson Arroyo. This year, he averaged 10 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals per game.
“I’m anxious to start my career at UMass Lowell,” Thompson said. “Hopefully we’ll be playing for another championship next season.”
He also plays AAU basketball for the Playaz Basketball Club for Coach Mark Jarrell-Wright. The 6-2 guard was a McDonald’s All-American Game Nominee and is was ranked as one of the Top 30 seniors in the state of New Jersey.
"We are very excited about Chris signing with us. He is a very athletic scoring guard that can really shoot the ball,” Herenda said. “He will fit perfectly into our system on both sides of the floor. Chris also comes from a high level program in Life Center and he has played with and against some of the best players in America."
Weldon hails from New York City and just finished his senior season at Saint Agnes Boys High School, where he played for Coach Greg Dolan. As a junior, he averaged 10.8 points per game and grabbed an average of 9.3 boards and improved as senior, finishing this year with 13 points and 11 rebounds per game, averaging five assists, as well, earning him All-Conference honors.
“I’m really looking forward to my future at UMass Lowell,” Weldon said. “I’m excited to see what this first year brings for me and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of the River Hawk family.”
The 6-5 versatile guard/forward also plays AAU basketball for the New Heights team under Coach Ted Smith.
"Kerry was a River Hawk from his first day of his official visit. He fits right into our program because he is talented, a very hard worker and a great young man,” Herenda said. “He runs the floor very well and can really rebound the basketball. He, too, comes from an excellent program and as a huge upside, can play a number of positions on the floor."
