Junior College Point Guard Signs with Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team has announced the signing of point guard Mounir Benzegala to a national letter of intent. After playing two seasons at Edison State (Ohio) Community College, Benzegala becomes the third player to sign with the Spartans for the 2007-08 season.

The Worthington, Ohio native and product of Kilbourne High School recently averaged 10 points, nine assists and 2.1 steals per game as a sophomore at Edison State. While logging nearly 38 minutes per contest, he also shot 48 percent from the field while accumulating 219 assists.

As a freshman, he recorded a team-high 179 assists while placing second in the conference and 20th in the nation. He was also the team leader in steals. After finishing third in the NJCAA in assists as a sophomore, Benzegala also became Edison's all-time career leader in assists.

In high school, he was selected to play in the District 10 all-star game and the Columbus vs. Dayton all-star game. A scholar-athlete, he was also a member of the high school Merit Roll.

"I feel that Mounir will be an excellent addition to this team," says head coach Richard Schmidt. "He is a true point guard who will really help our big guys with his passing ability. I expect Mounir to step in and make an immediate impact on this team."