May 23, 2007

Contact: Brian McCann

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Corey Neale, a second team all-state selection after leading the Greater Clveland area in scoring, has enrolled at Cleveland State and will play basketball beginning this fall. The announcement was made by head coach Gary Waters on Wednesday.

"Cory has a bright future in basketball and I am happy that he has decided to continue it as a member of the Viking basketball program," Waters said. "His ability to pass, shoot and handle the ball for his size will be a great asset to our program.

"Cory finished his high school career with another outstanding season. I believe his potential is unlimited."

Neale is the sixth player added by CSU this year, joining Norris Cole (Dayton, OH/Dunbar) and Nick Weaver (Glendale, AZ/Glendale CC) who signed earlier this spring, and D'Aundray Brown (Youngstown, OH/Ursuline), Daitwan Eppinger (Garfield Heights, OH) and Joe Latas (North Olmsted, OH/Bedford-Chanel), each of whom signed with Cleveland State during the early signing period last November.

Neale, a 6-7, 220-pound forward from Brooklyn, Ohio averaged 27.6 points and 10.4 rebounds a game as a senior to end his career as the Brooklyn High School's career scoring (1,484) and rebounding (718) leader. He averaged 23.2 points and 11.2 rebounds as a junior and 19.2 points and 12.0 rebounds as a sophomore.

A three-time all-state selection, he was a second team choice as a senior and a special mention honoree as both a sophomore and junior. He was rated as the 11th best wing forward in the state by PrepSpotlight.com this year.

Neale's list of basketball accomplishments is lengthy. He was tabbed as his team MVP in each of his last three seasons, also earning all-league, Sun News All-Area and all district all three seasons. He led the league in scoring as both a junior and senior, earning league MVP honors as a senior, and earned Plain Dealer Player of the Week honors at least once as a sophomore, junior and senior.