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SAN DIEGO, Calif. - University of San Diego men's basketball head coach Lamont Smith and his staff is excited to announce that they have signed two 6'10" standouts to a national letter of intent and scholarship agreement for the upcoming 2016-17 school year. Joining the Toreros will be Frank Ryder, a 6'10" center from Fairview High School in Boulder, Colorado, and Jose Martinez, a skilled 6'10" forward from Cheshire Academy in Connecticut.

"Our staff is very excited for our two 2016 recruiting class signees this November", said USD head coach Lamont Smith. "Both Jose and Frank are good students and high character young men who will be excellent additions to our basketball program, university, and community."

Martinez, a 6-foot-10 Cheshire Academy (CT) forward by the way of Cayay, Puerto Rico, is heading out west after giving a verbal commitment to the University of San Diego. Martinez is a face up forward with a lot of skill.

Added Smith, "Jose Martinez brings tremendous skill at 6'10". He is a long and rangy face-up forward who also possesses exceptional toughness and grit. Jose comes from an excellent prep school program in Cheshire Academy in Connecticut, and has participated in his country's national team programs in Puerto Rico."

"USD is great academically and I think it's the right place," said Martinez. "They showed me that they really wanted me. I think my game really fits their philosophy of the game."

Ryder played his sophomore and junior seasons at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida under Coach Mike Kelly. During his sophomore year at IMG he averaged 15.0 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks. During his junior year he played in a limited number of games averaging 7 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks. He transferred out after getting sick. With his club team, the Colorado Titans, he averaged 17.0 points per game and 12 rebounds while converting 64.0% from the floor. This coming senior year he'll play for Coach Patrick Burke at Fairview High School.

Stated Coach Smith on Ryder, "Frank comes from a great family and hails from Boulder, Colorado. He is an extremely hard working young man who has improved tremendously over the last few years. Franks is a true center who likes to operate on the low block. He spent two years at IMG Academy, so he played against some of the best competition in the country."

"I chose USD because of the great coaching staff," Ryder said. "I really connected with the coaches and players, and USD is a great academic school and an awesome campus."