Adding size to the 2011-12 team has been an important goal for the University of Evansville men's basketball coaching staff, and their efforts have paid off in the addition of three players who stand 6'7" or taller.

Head coach Marty Simmons announced today that 6'7" high school senior Ryan Sawvell (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein HS), 6'8" Dustin Clements (Bay Minette, Ala./Faulkner State Community College) and 6'8" Rokas Cesnulevicius (Kamuela, Hawaii/Hawaii Preparatory School) have signed national letters of intent.  Cesnulevicius (pronounced Roe-kuss Chez-nuh-lavish-us) is a native of Lithuania.

"All three have good passing and ball-handling skills, and athleticism," according to Simmons.  "Ryan runs the floor well, he's a good perimeter player and he really likes competition.  Dustin is a big, strong, physical player with great hands.  He finishes well around the basket.  And Rokas is an athletic player who's good on the perimeter and can also play inside.  With Piet (6'10" center Pieter van Tongeren) and Clint (6'8" Clint Hopf) graduating next spring, it was important for us to add size.  The guys we're adding are more than just tall.  They all have good basketball skills, too."

Sawvell committed to UE early in the summer after averaging 19.1 points and 8.5 rebounds at Mundelein High School last season, leading the Mustangs to a 19-13 record.  A two-time all-conference selection, Sawvell played AAU basketball last summer for the Rising Stars.

Clements averaged 10 points and eight rebounds as a freshman last season for a Faulkner State team that finished 23-6.  Clements was the only rookie in the starting lineup, and went on to earn a spot on the All-Alabama Community College Conference first team, and all-region second team.

Cesnulevicius enrolled at Hawaii Prep in January.  He averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds last season and made the All-Big Island Conference team.  He also played AAU basketball this year for Maryland 3-D.

In addition to van Tongeren and Hopf, Evansville's other senior this season is guard Kavon Lacey.  The 2-0 Purple Aces play again Sunday at Indiana University.