Cougars Ink Standout Wing Charles Ward

University of Sioux Falls head men's basketball coach Chris Johnson announced that Charles Ward signed a national letter of intent with USF Thursday and will join the Cougars' program this fall. Ward, a 6-2 wing from Phoenix, Ariz., is the second player to sign with USF this week.

“Charles is a great talent, and he was highly sought after by several good programs,” said coach Johnson. “We're excited he chose to be a part of our family here at USF.”

Ward

Ward joins USF after playing one season at Western Nebraska Community College, where he averaged 20.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game last season for the Cougars. In 31 appearances, Ward scored 20 points or more 15 times, and 30-plus on three occasions including two 37-point performances.

The latter of his two scoring clinics came in January, when Ward went 10-of-11, 4-of-4 from behind the arc to match a season and career-high 37 points vs. Otero Junior College. Ward scored in double figures in all but three games last season.

“Looking at his numbers, Charles can obviously score the ball, but we think he can make an impact on the defensive end as well,” added Johnson. “His competitive nature and toughness isn't limited to one end of the floor, and as a coach that's what you like to see.”

A third team All-Region IX selection, Ward demonstrated efficiency shooting 48 percent from the field, 38 percent from 3-point range and 74 percent from the stripe. He finished the season ranked 15^th in the nation for scoring, fourth in Region IX.

The Cougar's 2013-14 class now consists of two guards, Mack Johnson and Kebu Johnson, a wing in Ward, and a pair of front court players in Tom Aase and Daven Ottley.

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