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Modesto Christian duo signs with Cal

Daily Planet Wire Services
Thursday November 15, 2001

Richard Midgley and David Paris, both seniors at 2001 state runner-up Modesto Christian High School, have signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball at Cal, head coach Ben Braun announced Wednesday. 

Midgley, a 6-foot-1 point guard, and Paris, a 6-foot-8, 260-pound power forward, are both rated among the Top 100 prospects in the country by several recruiting services. 

Paris is the son of former San Francisco 49ers lineman Bubba Paris. As a junior last year, he averaged 16 points and 15 rebounds per game. Paris is rated the No. 2 power forward on the West Coast by PacWestHoops.com and the No. 22 power forward in the country by ESPN.com. He selected Cal after also considering Ohio State, Michigan and Texas-El Paso.  

Midgley, who averaged 19 points and 5 assists as a junior last year, earned No. 93 national rankings from both CNNSI.com and The Sporting News. PacWestHoops.com called him “one of the best point guards on the West Coast.” 

Originally from London, Midgley moved to Modesto before the start of his sophomore year. He chose Cal after also getting interest from Georgia Tech, UCLA, Kentucky and Utah. 

Last year, Paris and Midgley helped Modesto Christian to a 34-4 overall record. They reached the state championship game before falling to Santa Ana’s Mater Dei, led by current Cal freshman forward Jamal Sampson, 57-54. 

The Bears received an oral commitment from Alabama prep star Kennedy Winston earlier this month, but Winston is rumored to be re-thinking the decision. He has not sent a letter of intent. 

Wednesday was the first day that recruits can sign National Letters of Intent. The fall signing period lasts through Nov. 21.