Photo by: UMaine Athletics
Men’s Basketball Adds Three for 2017-18 Season
5/9/2017 12:53:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Orono, Maine – University of Maine men's basketball head coach Bob Walsh has announced the signings of three players who will join the Black Bears for the 2017-18 season.
Celio Araujo (5-10, guard), Duncan Douglas (6-6, forward) and Miks Antoms (6-8, forward) have each signed their National Letters of Intent to UMaine. Araujo and Duncan will both join UMaine as juniors with two years of eligibility remaining. Antoms will begin his freshman season at UMaine in the fall of 2017 and have four years with the Black Bears.
Araujo, hailing from Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil, comes to Maine after spending two seasons at Sheridan College, where he helped guide the squad to a 23-9 record. While at Sheridan, Araujo ranked in the top-10 among junior college players in assists (7.0) and assist/turnover ratio (3.5). Araujo, who shot 44-percent from 3-point range, helped lead his AAU team to the BABC National Final Four while capturing a pair of State Championships and a Super Regional Championship. He was awarded the Athletic Director's Award for Excellence while at Sheridan and was a men's basketball player of the year nominee by the Sheridan Press. While in the high school ranks at The Master's School in West Simsbury, Conn., Araujo was named The Master's School Athlete of the Year.
"Celio is a quarterback, a true point guard who sets up his teammates and gets them open looks," Walsh said. "He's a tough kid and a natural leader who can be a ballhawk on the defensive end. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove, which I think our fans will love, and he's really excited to be returning home to New England."
Douglas, who is from Lubbock, Texas, began his career at Western Texas before a year of competition at Santa Monica College. Prior to his two collegiate seasons, Douglas played at Coronado high school. While at Coronado, he averaged 18.3 points and 8.0 rebounds and was elected captain his senior year. Douglas earned several individual accolades during his high school career. He was second team all-state, first team all-district, first team all-region and first team all-south plains.
"Duncan is a skilled athlete with size and strength," added Walsh. "He's a face-up forward who can make shots and get to the rim. His strength and versatility make him a tough match-up. He'll be able to guard multiple positions, which will allow him to exploit mismatches on the other end of the floor. He's thrilled with the opportunity he has at the University of Maine."
Antoms attended Archbishop Carroll before playing for Lee Academy in Lee, Maine. A native of Riga, Latvia, Antoms competed for his home country during the U16 European Championships, leading the team to a Latvian Club Championship in 2015. Following his national team competition, Antoms led Carroll to the Philadelphia Catholic League semifinals before averaging 18.1 points and 8.4 rebounds during he prep time at Lee Academy.
"Miks is a true post player with good hands, good feet and a comfortable feel for the game," Walsh said. "He's got offensive skill and the physical ability to match up with post players in our league. He'll have a chance to contribute right away for us in the post and he can't wait to get on campus and get started."
The eligibility of all student-athletes is contingent upon admission to the University of Maine and compliance with all NCAA rules, including registration with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
-UMaine-
Celio Araujo (5-10, guard), Duncan Douglas (6-6, forward) and Miks Antoms (6-8, forward) have each signed their National Letters of Intent to UMaine. Araujo and Duncan will both join UMaine as juniors with two years of eligibility remaining. Antoms will begin his freshman season at UMaine in the fall of 2017 and have four years with the Black Bears.
Araujo, hailing from Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil, comes to Maine after spending two seasons at Sheridan College, where he helped guide the squad to a 23-9 record. While at Sheridan, Araujo ranked in the top-10 among junior college players in assists (7.0) and assist/turnover ratio (3.5). Araujo, who shot 44-percent from 3-point range, helped lead his AAU team to the BABC National Final Four while capturing a pair of State Championships and a Super Regional Championship. He was awarded the Athletic Director's Award for Excellence while at Sheridan and was a men's basketball player of the year nominee by the Sheridan Press. While in the high school ranks at The Master's School in West Simsbury, Conn., Araujo was named The Master's School Athlete of the Year.
"Celio is a quarterback, a true point guard who sets up his teammates and gets them open looks," Walsh said. "He's a tough kid and a natural leader who can be a ballhawk on the defensive end. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove, which I think our fans will love, and he's really excited to be returning home to New England."
Douglas, who is from Lubbock, Texas, began his career at Western Texas before a year of competition at Santa Monica College. Prior to his two collegiate seasons, Douglas played at Coronado high school. While at Coronado, he averaged 18.3 points and 8.0 rebounds and was elected captain his senior year. Douglas earned several individual accolades during his high school career. He was second team all-state, first team all-district, first team all-region and first team all-south plains.
"Duncan is a skilled athlete with size and strength," added Walsh. "He's a face-up forward who can make shots and get to the rim. His strength and versatility make him a tough match-up. He'll be able to guard multiple positions, which will allow him to exploit mismatches on the other end of the floor. He's thrilled with the opportunity he has at the University of Maine."
Antoms attended Archbishop Carroll before playing for Lee Academy in Lee, Maine. A native of Riga, Latvia, Antoms competed for his home country during the U16 European Championships, leading the team to a Latvian Club Championship in 2015. Following his national team competition, Antoms led Carroll to the Philadelphia Catholic League semifinals before averaging 18.1 points and 8.4 rebounds during he prep time at Lee Academy.
"Miks is a true post player with good hands, good feet and a comfortable feel for the game," Walsh said. "He's got offensive skill and the physical ability to match up with post players in our league. He'll have a chance to contribute right away for us in the post and he can't wait to get on campus and get started."
The eligibility of all student-athletes is contingent upon admission to the University of Maine and compliance with all NCAA rules, including registration with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
-UMaine-
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