University of Alaska Anchorage head men’s basketball coach Rusty Osborne announced Monday that U.S. Army Sgt. Eric Draper has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Seawolves.

The 6-1, 170-pound guard, from nearby Fort Richardson, will have two years of eligibility with the Seawolves, beginning in 2005-06.

Draper, who has been in the Army for four years, has filed for an "early separation to continue education," which, if approved, would allow him to be released from his duty by Fall semester 2005.

"In addition to being an outstanding athlete, Sgt. Draper has proven himself a tremendous individual and leader during his military service," Osborne said.

"If not granted early separation, we fully intend to honor his scholarship when he is released from active duty."

Most recently, Draper led the United States team to the title of the 41st annual SHAPE International Tournament in Belgium, Nov. 28-Dec. 2. He was the leading scorer in the 10-team event, putting up 38 points in the championship game against Italy.

Last June, he was the top scorer (26.0 ppg) in the Armed Forces Basketball Championship in Charleston, S.C., leading the All-Army team to a 6-0 record and the tournament title.

"In this time of great tension in the world, we are very sensitive to the duties and sacrifices our servicemen must make," Osborne said.

"We hope that Eric’s opportunity to go to school and play basketball at UAA will be a source of pride for all the military in Alaska. The University and the U.S. Military have had a very strong relationship over the years, and we look forward to adding one of their best to our program. We are extremely excited to have Eric and his wife, Shekondra, join the Seawolf family."

Draper was a basketball and track star at White Station High School, in Memphis, Tenn., where he set the state record for the high jump at 7 feet, 2 inches.

He played two seasons for St. Petersburg (Fla.) Junior College in 1996-97 and 1997-98, earning first team all- conference honors his freshman year with a 23.3 ppg average, and the Suncoast Conference Player of the Year award as a sophomore when he averaged 19.9 ppg.

"Eric Draper is an explosive athlete who competes at a high level and has the ability to score in a variety of ways," said UAA associate head coach Shane Rinner, "he could be the most prolific scorer this program has seen since Jason Kaiser."

"Sgt. Draper is the best shooter and scorer to come out of this program," said All-Army coach Babe Kwasniak, who has coached him for the past four years.

"He is as hard-working as any player I’ve ever come across – and I played at the (U.S. Military) Academy. UAA is getting an absolute steal. Some very big schools, including Wisconsin, called late about Eric."

Draper is the first signee for the Seawolves’ 2005-06 recruiting class.