Rams Sign McMillan Short

Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University men's basketball head coach Tom Pecora announced the signing of Devon McMillan (Brooklyn, N.Y./Newburgh Free Academy (Evelyn Mack Academy)) and Jeffrey Short (Bronx, N.Y./John F. Kennedy (Evelyn Mack Academy)) to National Letters of Intent for the 2011-12 season.

McMillan, a 5'10", 165-pound guard, played at Newburgh Free Academy in Newburgh, N.Y., as a senior in 2009-10, leading the Goldbacks to the Section 9 Class AA title before falling in the Class AA state championship semifinals.

In 2008-09, McMillan starred for Uniondale High School in Uniondale, N.Y., averaging 13 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and four steals per game, as the Knights advanced to the New York State Class AA semifinals. He hit a buzzer-beating shot that helped Uniondale defeat Baldwin, 53-52, in the Nassau County Class AA championship game.

A Brooklyn native, McMillan spent his freshman and sophomore seasons at Lincoln High School, where he was a member of the 2007 and 2008 city championship teams.

McMillan, who played with the New Heights AAU team, was a New York McDonald's All-America nominee (one of 31 nominees which included current Ram Branden Frazier and fellow Fordham signee Jeffrey Short).

"Fatty McMillan has been a proven winner his entire life," said Pecora. "He has a complete game and the ability to compete on every possession that makes him an exceptional player."

Short, a 6'4", 180-pound guard, was named the 2009-10 Bronx Player of the Year and First Team All-City by the New York Post at John F. Kennedy in the Bronx as well as being named First Team Class AA All-State by the New York State Sportswriters Association. He averaged 28.7 points, 14.0 rebounds and more than five assists a game as a senior, hitting 51 three-pointers in league play. His scoring average ranked second best in the PSAL in 2009-10.

As a junior, Short helped lead Kennedy to the Class AA City Championship game at Madison Square Garden where the Knights fell to Lincoln High School. Kennedy won its first Bronx AA crown that season.

A Bronx native who lives about five minutes from the Rose Hill campus, Short was a New York McDonald's All-America nominee (one of 31 nominees which included current Ram Branden Frazier and fellow Fordham signee Devon McMillan). He also appeared with the New York City team in the 2010 Jordan Classic Regional Game at Madison Square Garden last April.

Short played with the New York Panthers AAU team, being named Second Team All-Tournament at the 2010 iS8/Nike Tip-Off Fall Classic.

"Jeff is a proven scorer and his game continues to grow," said Pecora. "He and Fatty are two of the newest additions to a long line of outstanding New York City guards."

McMillan and Short are currently teammates at Evelyn Mack Academy in Charlotte, N.C.

"We expect all three players to have an immediate impact on the program and to play a big part in the growth process at Fordham," said Pecora.