July 14, 2003

NKU ADDS POINT GUARD FROM UNCA

Ronai transfers to NKU

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball coach Ken Shields announced Monday that his team has added Jared Ronai, a transfer from the University of North Carolina-Asheville, to the 2003-04 roster. Ronai, a 5-foot-11 point guard, sat out as a medical redshirt last season at North Carolina-Asheville. A 2002 graduate of London (Ohio) High School, Ronai scored 1,164 points during his varsity career. As a senior at London, Ronai averaged 18.6 points and 8.6 assists per game. He also shot 41 percent from three-point range and was named the Buckeye Athletic Conference Player of the Year. Ronai earned first team Ohio Division II All-State honors as a senior, and he was also tabbed the Madison County Player of the Year in 2002. “Jared has the ability to be a very good player, and I expect him to come in here and compete with Jordan Stowers and Sean Rowland for the point guard position,” Shields said. “He is an excellent shooter and passer, and he reminds me somewhat of (former NKU standout) Shannon Minor the way he plays the game.” Ronai - who will have four years of eligibility remaining - joins an NKU team that posted a 25-6 record and captured its first-ever Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament championship last season. The Norse must replace four starters this season, including All-American guard Brenden Stowers.