May 23, 2012

Tulsa, Oklahoma - University of Tulsa Head Coach Danny Manning announced today that Kauri (Kahr-ree) Black has signed scholarship papers and will be a graduate student. Black received his degree in May from Northeastern in social science & humanity with a minor in sociology, but still has one year of basketball eligibility remaining and will complete that year at Tulsa in the 2012-13 season.

Black, a 6'7", 220-pound forward, was a three-year letterwinner at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. In 81 career games, Black started 33 contests and averaged 4.6 points and 3.2 rebounds for the Huskies. He scored a career-best 13 points in four games in his three years and also grabbed a career-best 12 rebounds

As a junior, Black scored at a 4.4 clip and averaged 3.2 rebounds in 31 games, while starting seven contests this past season. He tallied four double-digit scoring games, while tying his career-high with 13 points against Southern Illinois.

In the 2010-11 campaign, Black averaged 6.2 points and 4.0 rebounds his sophomore season. He registered his first career double-double in first collegiate start with 11 points and a career-high 12 rebounds in 66-64 season-opening win over Boston. He also had 12 points and 11 rebounds against Delaware as a sophomore.

Black averaged 2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in 19 games as a freshman.

Prior to Northeastern, Black played four seasons at Eisenhower High School in Rialto, California and one year at Bridgton Academy.

"Kauri gives us a seasoned presence with college basketball experience. He's a very thoughtful young man and his leadership will be something we'll depend on throughout the course of the year. With Kauri having experienced the ups and downs of college basketball his presence helps provide stability for our otherwise young team," said Manning. "Kauri is capable of playing multiple positions and we will take advantage of his versatility on the court.

"It has been blessing for me to graduate early. It has given me a chance to see what other opportunities are out there to continue my playing career, while getting my a master's degree," said Black.

"I was being recruited by a lot of other schools, but I liked the entire Tulsa atmosphere. I'm friends with Joe Richard (2012 Tulsa graduate and four-year basketball letterman) and he had nothing but good things to say about Tulsa," added Black. "I felt like I had a good relationship with every school and coach that was recruiting me, but as far as skill development and improving basketball-wise Tulsa was the best place for me."

The signing of Black gives Tulsa 12 scholarship players on the 2012-13 roster.