Godfrey signs with LSU men
College basketball
“Calvin (Godfrey) will fill a much-needed void on our team.” Johnny Jones, LSU coach
LSU’s mergers and acquisitions department — otherwise known as the men’s basketball office — added another big piece Monday to its growing puzzle.
The Tigers received a national letter of intent from Calvin Godfrey, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward from Howard College in Big Spring, Texas.
Godfrey originally played a year at Iowa State and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
“We are very excited about the signing of Calvin Godfrey,” new coach Johnny Jones said in a university news release. “He will fill a much-needed void on our team with the graduation of three of our post players last year.”
Godfrey joins former Howard College teammate Shavon Coleman (6-6, 200), a former Thibodaux High standout, as part of Jones’ first LSU class.
Jones also signed swingman Shane Hammink (6-6, 190), son of former LSU All-Southeastern Conference center Geert Hammink, out of Canarius Basketball Academy in Spain.
John Curtis shooting guard Malik Morgan (6-3, 180) signed with LSU during the early signing period in November under former coach Trent Johnson, who is now at TCU.
Godfrey averaged 12.6 points and 7.0 rebounds in 31 games, helping Howard to a 23-8 overall record. He also made 62 percent of his field goal attempts, averaged 1.3 steals and 1.0 rebounds per game.
A native of Chrystal, Minn., Godfrey averaged 5.7 points and 5.4 rebounds at Iowa State.
“Calvin is very good at defending and rebounding,” Jones said, “plus he has the ability to score around the basket. He comes from a great program at Howard College and we look forward to him joining us and helping us develop our program here at LSU.”
Godfrey was dismissed from the Iowa State program almost exactly one year ago after the school said he was arrested for marijuana possession.
The arrest followed what Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg characterized on May 9, 2011 as multiple violations of team rules.
Godfrey was suspended in February 2011 for three Big 12 Conference games for violating unspecified team rules.
Former LSU center Justin Hamilton also once played at Iowa State. The 7-0 Hamilton passed on his senior season with the Tigers last month to turn pro.
With Hamilton gone, Godfrey’s size is a sorely needed addition to an LSU team that returns just three post players with any experience: 6-9 senior Eddie Ludwig, 6-8 junior Jalen Courtney and 6-9 sophomore Johnny O’Bryant III.