ECU adds Rico Quinton as 4th signee

GREENVILLE, N.C. --- The ECU men’s basketball program has signed 6-foot-10 prep post player Rico Quinton to a national letter-of-intent head coach Jeff Lebo announced Tuesday. He is the Pirates’ fourth signee for 2018-19 joining Jayden Gardner, DeShaun Wade and Mike Wynn.

“We are very excited about Rico joining the Pirate Nation,” Lebo said. “At 6-10 and only 17 years old, he has a special skill set and tremendous upside. The combination of his offensive skills and shot blocking ability will help us at both ends of the floor.”

A senior at Dyer County High School in Newbern, Tenn., Quinton has helped his team compile a 63-24 mark over the past three seasons.

During his junior season of 2016-17, he led Dyer County High School in scoring (19.0 ppg), rebounding (8.0 rpg), blocked shots (3.5 bpg) and field goal percentage (.650). As a sophomore, he was named District 13 AAA MVP in addition to earning all-district and all-district tournament honors while leading the Choctaws to the 2016 District 13 AAA championship. Following his freshman season of 2014-15, Quinton was named Region 7 AAA Newcomer-of-the-Year by Tennessee Prep Hoops (tnprephoops.com).

“Coach Lebo and ECU are getting a high character and hard-working young man who is fun to coach,” Dyer County Head Coach Derek McCord said. “Rico possess the style of game similar to a European player. At 6-10, he is a post player who can pass, dribble and shoot the ball with range.”

“I liked everything about ECU,” Quinton said. “Coach Lebo, the coaching staff and the players are awesome to be around. I believe ECU will help me get to the next level.”

The Pirates will play outside the friendly surroundings of Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum for the first time this season Friday, Nov. 24, as they travel north to Rutgers for the final game of the Showcase On The Banks for both teams. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.