The Wright stuff (photo courtesy of Toledo Blade)

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Northern Kentucky University has landed another impact player for next season in guard Steven Wright, and the 6-foot-3 transfer from Bowling Green State University brings plenty of experience to the Norse roster.

Wright, a three-year starter at Bowling Green, averaged 11.4 points per game last season for the Falcons. In his career at Bowling Green, Wright started 67 games and scored 737 points in three seasons.

A lightning-quick guard, Wright is also an outstanding leaper whom NKU head coach Dave Bezold says will entertain the fans in Regents Hall next season.

“We haven’t had a guard like Steven who can steal the ball and go down and dunk it on a regular basis in a long time. He’s a great athlete who is quick, and he can really jump,” Bezold said.

“He was a double-figure scorer at a Division I program, and we are expecting Steven to come in here and be a great fit for us next season.”

As a sophomore, Wright started all 29 games at Bowling Green and was third on the team in scoring (11.1 ppg), second in assists and first in steals. He had 17 points against DePaul that season, and he also scored 16 points against Bradley.

Wright poured in a career-high 23 points at Toledo and also established a career-best with nine field goals made in that game.

As a freshman, Wright played in 29 games and started 26 times. He ranked fifth in the MAC in assists (4.1) and sixth in steals (1.9). Wright averaged 29.2 minutes per game and contributed 6.5 ppg and 4.2 rebounds as a freshman.

A 2002 graduate of Dayton Colonel White High School, Wright was named the Dayton Area Player of the Year as a senior after averaging 19 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for the Cougars. He also averaged 21 points, four rebounds and four assists as a junior.

Steven Wright

Wright joins an NKU recruiting class that includes former Virginia prep standout David Jefferson, a 6-6, 215-pound forward. University of Dayton transfer James Cripe, a 7-foot, 255-pound senior, will also join the team next season as will University of New Mexico transfer Anthony Teague, a 6-5, 190-pound guard/forward.

Jefferson averaged 21 points, 12 rebounds and 5.5 blocks per game at Lake Taylor High School in Norfolk, Va., as a junior en route to earning most valuable player honors in the Eastern District.

Cripe averaged 2.6 points and 2.2 rebounds in 24 games last season for Dayton. His top game was a 14-point, six–rebound performance as the Flyers posted an upset victory at Cincinnati last November.

Teague played in three games for New Mexico last season. He scored 10 points and grabbed four rebounds during a 95-42 win against Southeastern Conference member Mississippi as his best effort at New Mexico. Teague transferred to New Mexico from Dodge City (Kan.) Community College, where he averaged 17.3 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. He also shot 34.5 percent from 3-point range and scored a career-high 35 points against Labette County Community College.

NKU posted a 17-11 record last season. The Norse finished second in the GLVC East with a 12-7 mark.

(Steven Wright action photos courtesy of Nate Parsons, The Toledo Blade)