University of Washington - Home

Nov. 8, 2000

SEATTLE - Mike Jensen, one of the nation's premier prep power forwards, and junior college sharpshooter Josh Barnard signed letters of intent to attend the University of Washington eighth-year men's basketball coach Bob Bender announced on Wednesday.

A 6-8 forward, Jensen was rated the top power forward in the West by Pac-West Hoops. He averaged 14.4 points and 10.5 rebounds last year, leading Kentwood High School to a 21-9 record and seventh-place finish at the Washington state Class 4A tournament. Selected among the nation's top 100 players by nearly every recruiting service, Jensen was ranked No. 66 by The Sporting News.

"Mike Jensen is a very athletic, explosive player who literally burst onto the scene in the month of July," Bender remarked. "He showed athletically that he is as good as anybody in the country. He also has a toughness that heightens his abilities."

A 6-6 guard, Barnard averaged 15.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game last year at Tacoma Community College. He converted a school-record 49-percent of his shots from 3-point range, helping the Titans to a 30-4 record and fourth-place finish at the Northwest Community College tournament. Barnard played his prep basketball at Bethel High School in Tacoma.

"Josh Barnard is a pure 3-point shooter, the purest 3-point shooter that we have had on our roster. He has great range and shoots with flawless fundamentals," Bender said. "He creates his own shot because he gets to the basket and is athletic enough to get in the lane and get over the top of people."

With five scholarships available, Washington anticipates receiving three additional letters of intent from local high school players during the early signing period that ends Nov. 15. Any players who do not return letters of intent by next Wednesday will have to wait until the late signing period that runs from April 11 through May 15.

2000 Washington Men's Basketball Signee Profiles

JOSH BARNARD
Guard, 6-6, 210 Tacoma, Wash. (Bethel HS / Tacoma Community College)

o Averaged 15.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game last season at Tacoma Community College.
o Converted a school-record 49-percent of his 3-point shots in 2000.
o Helped the Titans to a 30-4 record and a fourth-place finish at the Northwest Community College tournament.
o A first-team All-NWAACC West Region selection.
o Played as a prepster at Tacoma's Bethel High School.
o Selected Washington over several schools, including Oregon State, Gonzaga, Eastern Washington, Santa Clara and Loyola-Marymount.

Washington Coach Bob Bender on Josh Barnard
"Josh Barnard is a pure 3-point shooter, the purest 3-point shooter that we have had on our roster. He has great range and shoots with flawless fundamentals. The added bonus is that he has played a number of positions so we would have no problem putting the ball in his hands. He creates his own shot because he gets to the basket and is athletic enough to get in the lane and get over the top of people."

MIKE JENSEN
Forward, 6-8, 210 Covington, Wash. (Kentwood HS)

o Rated the No. 1 prep power forward prospect in the West by Pac-West Hoops.
o Averaged 14.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game during his junior season at Kentwood High School.
o Helped Kentwood to a 21-9 record and a seventh-place finish at the 2000 state Class 4A tournament.
o Honored as the South Puget Sound League North Division Most Valuable Player.
o Ranked No. 66 nationally in The Sporting News Top 100 Recruits.
o Listed No. 78 nationally in the Hoop Scoop ratings produced by Clark Francis.
o Ranked among the top 100 recruits in the nation by several services, including Game Plan Sports Scouting Service (27th) and Rivals100.com (65th).
o An honorable mention prep All-America selection by Street & Smith's magazine.
o Selected Washington over several schools, including Kentucky and Oregon.

Washington Coach Bob Bender on Mike Jensen
"Mike Jensen is a very athletic, explosive player who literally burst onto the scene in the month of July. He showed athletically that he is as good as anybody in the country. He also has a toughness that heightens his abilities."