Red Wolves - IU East

Indiana University East's men's basketball recruiting efforts cooked up a state champion points guard.

Terry Weathers, who played for East Chicago Central's 2007 Indiana Class 4A boys basketball state championship team, has signed a letter of intent to play basketball for IU East starting with the 2010-11 season.

Red Wolves coach Mark Hester announced the signing April 28.

Weathers is a 6-0 point guard. Hester expects Weathers to bolster IU East's perimeter defense, and area that sometimes hurt the Red Wolves during the 2009-10 season.

"He gives us a bigger, stronger person on the perimeter to guard bigger, stronger guys, and that's something we desperately needed," Hester said.

"He comes from a winning pedigree. He won state in high school. During the recruiting process he said, 'I'll to do whatever you want me to do. Just win.' I'm looking forward to working with him."

Weathers will join the IU East program as a junior.

He averaged 7.3 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, 4.3 assists per game and 1.8 steals per game this past season for Oakton Community College.

He was second-team all-conference in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference.

He was part of East Chicago Central's first boys basketball state championship team in 2007. The Cardinals defeated an Indianapolis North Central team led by current Los Angeles Clippers standout Eric Gordon in the state championship game.

Weathers says his strengths are passing, defense and attacking the basket.

And cooking. Weathers says his specialty is pancakes spread with peanut butter, along with a glass of milk - combination that might or might not get added to the Red Wolves' pregame meal options.

Weathers plans to major in criminal justice with an eye toward a career in law enforcement.

"I just want to help people," Weathers said. "I decided to come to IU East because academically it's a school that's not too big but also not too small."

Weathers also considered University of Illinois Springfield, Bethel and Benedictine College.

Weathers' godmother, Michele Gallardo, accompanied him to Richmond for his campus visit and signing.

Weathers is the third Northwest Indiana player to sign with the Red Wolves this spring. Ian Enriquez of Lake Station and Justin Gill of Munster also will play for IU East next season.

Cody Banet of Floyds Knobs and Sean Stevens of Newburgh also have signed to play for IU East next season.