MIAMI (April 14, 2016) – FIU Head Men's Basketball Coach Anthony Evans announced today the signing of two players to National Letters of Intent during the recent spring signing period. The Panthers have inked 6-foot-5, junior guard Eric Lockett from Warner Robins, Georgia (Chipola College) and 6-foot-7, junior guard/forward Ronald Whitaker from Washington, D.C. (Southwest Tennessee Community College). Both players are expected to contribute immediately during the 2016-17 season.

"I am extremely excited about the addition of Eric and Ronald to our basketball family," said Evans. "They are talented players that possess a passion for the game and a tireless work ethic. I believe that both young men will make an immediate impact on our program."

Lockett, who played his scholastic basketball at Whitefield Academy, comes to FIU by way of Chipola College, in Marianna, Florida, where he averaged 7.3 points-, 5.1 rebounds- and 6.2 assists-per-game, and helped the Indians to a 17-13 record this past season. Lockett, who shot 47.6 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from behind the three-point arc, scored in double figures in seven games for Chipola, including a career-high 14 points three times. He also dished out double-digit assists three times, including 10 in his debut, and a career-best 14.  

Prior to his time at Chipola, Lockett spent his freshman campaign (2014-15) at George Mason University where he earned a medical redshirt. He appeared in the first five games of the season before being sidelined for the remainder of the season due to an injury. Before his injury, Lockett saw 10 minutes of action against Princeton, and scored five points versus West Virginia in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Tournament, while pulling down two rebounds and recording an assist. The Georgia native also saw action against New Mexico and the College of Charleston.  

In high school, Lockett was a four-year letterwinner at Whitefield Academy where he was a two-time all-county and All-Region Player of the Year, and all-state honoree. He was also named All-Metro Atlanta Honorable Mention as a junior, and tabbed All-Metro Atlanta Boys First Team as a senior. During his senior season, Lockett averaged 18 points-, 9.0 rebounds- and 4.0 assists-per-game. As a junior, he logged 21 points-, 10 rebounds-, 3.0 assists- and 2.0 steals-per-outing while setting career-highs of 39 points and 18 rebounds in the Region Championship.

"FlU signed a special young man today," said Brett Campbell head coach at Chipola College. "Eric Lockett is a big strong guard who can play a number of positions. He has a great motor and strong work ethic not to mention great leadership qualities. I have no doubt Eric will have a successful career at FlU and will be a great ambassador for the program."

Whitaker played the 2015-16 season at Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis, averaging 8.9 points-per-game – on 42.7 percent shooting from the field and 71 percent from the free throw line – and grabbed 4.3 rebounds-per-contest. Whitaker was named to the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association All-Region 7 Team and helped to guide the Saluqis to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Tournament quarterfinals. He averaged double figures in 14 games, including a career-high 21 points.

Whitaker began his junior college career at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City Beach, Florida and averaged 6.1 points- and 3.4 rebounds-per-game.

Whitaker played at Riverdale Baptist School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, where he led his team to a 27-10 record and the Capital Beltway championship. He was named second team All-Capital Beltway and to the National Christian School Athletic Association All-Northeast Super Regional Team.

"Ron is a dynamic guard who can play and guard multiple positions," said Head Coach Jerry Nichols of Southwest Tennessee College. "He is a superior athlete capable of stretching the defense and has a knack for making big time plays in clutch situations. FlU is getting a game changer whose best basketball is ahead of him."

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About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports. Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including FIU Arena and at the FIU Football Stadium.
 
About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. Its colleges and schools offer more than 180 bachelor¹s, master¹s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU is Worlds Ahead in its local and global engagement, finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded 200,000 degrees and enrolls 50,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.