Artison commits to Tusla
After a lengthy recruitment by Tulsa, 6-foot-9 forward Eugene Artison Jr. at the College of Southern Idaho committed to the Golden Hurricane on Sunday.
"It came down to the relationship I have built with Coach (Michael) Schwartz over time and the relationship I have built with Coach (Frank) Haith," he told Inside Tulsa Sports. "I love what they're doing down there with the program and how they develop their players to get better every year."
Artison originally signed with Fresno State as a 2014 prospect out of Franklin High School in Seattle, where he averaged better than 18 points and six rebounds as a senior. Schwartz was a Fresno assistant at the time, and Artison redshirted as a true freshman. He then transferred to CSI and remained in touch with Schwartz.
"Eugene is a skilled player with good size who can play inside and outside," said CSI head coach Jared Phay. "He is a Seattle kid who I have watched develop through the years. His ceiling is very high."
Through nine games, Artison was averaging 14.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks for the Golden Eagles before going down with an Achilles injury. He was shooting 53.5 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from three-point range.
"I just had surgery and doctors say everything is fine," he said. "Rehab and overall recovery is five to six months."
Artison chose the Hurricane over offers from Missouri State, Northern Kentucky and Grand Canyon, and he will have three years of eligibility remaining.
"I feel as if my best strength is my versatility, being able to play multiple positions and guard multiple positions," he explained. "I have the ability to shoot the ball from anywhere on the court, and I'm able to create my own shots off the dribble, and I'm a rim protector."
Artison is the fifth member of Tulsa's 2016 recruiting class. During November's early signing period, TU inked Blinn College guard Corey Henderson, Notre Dame Prep wing Travis Atson, Pulaski Academy shooting guard Lawson Korita and Covenant Christian big man Martins Igbanu. Artison can sign a letter of intent in April of 2016.
