Johnson City, Tenn. -- The East Tennessee State University athletic department announced today that James Anthony (Brandon, Fla.) has signed a National Letter of Intent to join head coach Ed DeChellis' Buccaneer basketball program for the 2001-02 season.

Anthony, a 6-3 shooting guard, averaged 22.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game during his senior season at Armwood High School. He was a McDonald's All-America nominee and earned 2001 Player-of-the-Year honors from the American Division, Western Conference, Hillsborough County and Tampa Tribune. He is the second consecutive Tampa Tribune Player of the Year to join the ETSU basketball team, as Cory Seels earned the distinction in 2000.

A four-year letterwinner, Anthony earned All-First Team honors from the St. Petersburg Times as well as being selected Hillsborough County Most Valuable Player by the Coaches Association. The three-year starter netted 1,505 career points for head coach Trent Strauch. An outstanding all-around athlete, Anthony is a state semifinalist in the 200 meters and the 400 meters.

"James Anthony is a very athletic guard with the ability to play the point and the two-guard," DeChellis said. "He is very good at creating off the dribble. Anthony can score off the dribble as well as from the outside."