RAPID CITY - South Dakota School of Mines men's basketball head coach Jason Henry announced the signing of new recruit Jaryd Francis to the Hardrocker hoops program.
Francis, a 6-foot-5-inch forward, from Wolcott, Colo., who played high school basketball for the Vail Christian Saints.
"Jaryd is a very strong and mature freshman coming in physically," Henry said. "He is one of the most explosive and athletic kids that I have seen since I've been at the School of Mines."
Francis helped his high school team finish with a 14-7 record this past winter. He was the team captain for the Saints where he averaged 20.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.8 assists per game in his final season. Francis also holds the school record in career rebounds (605), career steals (140) and career assists (178) and was the first 1,000-point player in Vail Christian history. Francis ended his high school career with 1,221 points.
Francis earned all-state honorable mention both his junior and senior year, was a three-time all-league selection, and was a first-team all-tournament choice as a junior and senior as well. Francis also lettered in football and track.
