SAN ANTONIO — Head men’s basketball coach Brooks Thompson announced Tuesday the addition of Ömer Alp Aksu (Istanbul, Turkey/İzmir American Collegiate Institute), Nick Billingsley (Omaha, Neb./Central HS/New Mexico JC), J.R. Harris (Baton Rouge, La./Southern Laboratory School/Indian Hills JC) and Garrett Thibodeaux (Tyler, Texas/Lee HS) to his program's 2015 recruiting class.
The four players will join fall signees Nick Allen (Surprise, Ariz./Willow Canyon HS) and A.J. Cockrell (Tulsa, Okla./Memorial HS) for the upcoming 2015-16 season.
"We are very pleased to add such a talented group to our team," Thompson said. "All four of these student-athletes come from winning programs and each possess a strong work ethic that will be beneficial at this level. Our staff did a great job of finding four talented student-athletes that will make our team better and we’re excited to get everyone on the court to prepare for the upcoming season."
Below is a breakdown of the four signees.
Ömer Alp Aksu · 6-2 · 180 · Guard
Istanbul, Turkey (İzmir American Collegiate Institute)
A member of the U16 and U18 Turkish National Team ... every team that he played on from 2006-14 finished in the top 10 of the Turkey Championships ... helped lead Izmir American to an Izmir High School Championship in 2010-11 and he aided Goztepe to a Izmir Championship in 2012-13 ... also led Bornova and Socar Petkim to runner-up finishes at the Izmir Championships in 2011-12 and 2013-14, respectively.
Nick Billingsley · 6-4 · 185 · Guard
Omaha, Neb. (Central HS/New Mexico JC)
Helped New Mexico JC to a 50-16 record in two seasons ... appeared in all but four games during his career and made 35 starts ... averaged 6.1 points and 3.3 rebounds per contest in 2014-15 as a sophomore and shot 42.7 percent from the floor as the Thunderbirds advanced to the Region V semifinals ... had a career-high 18 points in a win over Weatherford College ... as a freshman in 2013-14 he averaged 5.6 points and 2.0 rebounds per outing ... season high was 14 points against South Plains ... was named honorable mention All-State Class A by the Lincoln Journal Star following his senior season at Omaha Central High School.
J.R. Harris · 6-4 · 185 · Guard
Baton Rouge, La. (Southern Laboratory School/Indian Hills JC)
Helped Indian Hills to a 63-8 record in his two seasons … during that time the Warriors won back-to-back Region 11 regular season and tournament titles and earned trips to the NJCAA National Tournament, including a runner-up finish in 2014 … averaged 9.8 points and 3.0 rebounds and earned honorable mention Iowa Community College Athletic Conference All-Region 11 laurels as a sophomore in 2014-15 … started a team-high 31 games for the Warriors and was the team’s second-best 3-point shooter with 49 treys during the campaign … a key reserve on Indian Hills’ NJCAA runner-up team in 2013-14, he averaged 4.6 points and 2.5 rebounds per outing … missed his final two seasons at Southern Laboratory School due to an injury… averaged 19.8 points and 9.0 rebounds as a sophomore at Redemptionist High School in Baton Rouge, La., and was named District 7-3A MVP.
Garrett Thibodeaux · 6-8 · 220 · Forward
Tyler, Texas (Lee HS)
Averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds per game as a senior at Robert E. Lee High School and earned first-team All-District 11-6A honors … also named first-team All-East Texas by the Tyler Morning Telegraph … led the Red Raiders to an 18-11 mark and its first postseason appearance since 2012 … took home TAPPS honorable mention all-state honors as a junior at Bishop Gorman after he averaged 23.4 points, 16.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 4.0 blocks and 4.2 steals per game in 2013-14 … also first-team TAPPS 2-4A and honorable mention All-East Texas by the Tyler Morning Telegraph … led the Crusaders to a sixth-place finish at the state tournament that season.