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DeSOUZA AND LOZANO TO JOIN CALDWELL FOR 2008-09

February 11, 2008

Courtesy of Matt McLagan, Caldwell SID

CALDWELL, N.J. - Matt DeSouza of Linwood, N.J., and Emil Lozano of Clifton, N.J., have signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball at Caldwell College, men's basketball coach Mark A. Corino announced. The two high school standouts, who committed during the fall early signing period, will enroll at Caldwell College for the 2008-09 academic year.

"We are happy to have two talented young players in Matt and Emil joining our program next year," Corino said. "Both have the ability and potential to help us immediately, and with the right work ethic they could play a key role in the continued success of our program."

DeSouza, a 6-8 forward, has starred for Holy Spirit in Absecon, N.J., averaging 12 points and six rebounds this season. An excellent three-point shooter, DeSouza ranks among the Cape Atlantic League leaders in three-pointers made, field goal percentage and three-point shooting percentage. He has been a major contributor to the Spartans' 19-2 season that has them ranked among the Elite 11 by the Press of Atlantic City.

"I liked the fact that Caldwell's a smaller school, and I like the coaching staff," DeSouza said. "They've been successful, winning the [Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference] championship last year. I think it will be a good fit for me."

Lozano is a 6-foot guard who averaged 18.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 3.8 steals for Clifton last season. A first team All-Area selection by the Herald News, Lozano tallied 33 points, nine rebounds and six steals in a loss to Eastside High School in the North1, Group 4 playoffs.

"Caldwell is a top Division II program that can compete with many of the smaller Division I schools that were recruiting me," Lozano told the Herald News in November. "I think it's a perfect fit for me. I want a small school where I can play basketball."

The Cougars, who are 10-13 overall this season, lose four seniors from this year's squad.