DENVER - Head coach Rodney Billups announced today that Ade Murkey (Minneapolis, Minn.) has signed his National Letter of Intent to join the University of Denver men's basketball program in 2016-17, marking the first signee by Billups and his staff.

"We are very excited about Ade coming to the University of Denver," Billups said. "He gives us more athleticism, more skill and definitely enhances our ability to guard on the perimeter. Ade is a student-athlete of very high character and comes from a wonderful family. His family values coincide with those of the University of Denver."

A 6-foot-5 guard, Murkey most recently played for St. Croix Lutheran in St. Paul, Minn. The Minneapolis product led the Crusaders to a 29-3 record during his senior season and was named to the Minnesota AP Boys Basketball Third Team All-State. Murkey averaged 22 points, 9.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2 steals during his senior season. The St. Croix standout set the single season scoring record this past year, while also becoming the school's all-time leader in assists and steals.

During his senior campaign Murkey led St. Croix Lutheran to its first conference championship and handed four-time defending 3A state champion DeLaSalle its first conference loss in five years. Murkey also garnered All-Metro second team honors, was a finalist for the St. Paul Pioneer Player of the Year award and was a team captain for the Crusaders.

As a junior Murkey averaged 16.1 points a game and led St. Croix Lutheran to the state tournament. Murkey's stepfather Clifford played college basketball at New Mexico State.

Murkey joins Luke Neff (Arvada, Colo.) and Jake Krafka (Austin, Texas), who committed in November.

Fans interested in purchasing 2016-17 men's basketball season tickets can do so by phone at 303-871-2336, in person at the Ritchie Center box office or through DenverPioneers.com by clicking here.

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