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BUFFALO, NY - University at Buffalo men's basketball coach Reggie Withespoon announced the signing of National Letters of Intent for three student-athletes - Calvin Cage (Bowie, MD/Bladensburg HS), Roderick Middleton (University Park, IL/Marian Catholic) and B.J. Walker (Cincinnati, OH/Mount Healthy) - who will enroll this fall at UB to continue their academic and basketball pursuits.

The signings come on the first day of the spring signing period and bring the number to four that Witherspoon and his staff have ready to join the Bulls for the 2002-2003 season. Mario Jordan (Cleveland, OH/Benedectine HS) - a 6-6 guard/forward - signed during the early period in November. Jordan earned All-Ohio honors after averaging nearly 18 points per game this season.

Cage, 5-11, 165 pounds, is a combination guard who became the first player from his high school to make the Washington Post All-Metro first team since Brian Davis (who later played on Duke's national championship teams) by averaging 24.4 points and 8.0 assists per game. The lightning-quick guard made nearly three trifectas per game - canning 58 of them as a senior - and shot 86% from the free throw line. He chose Buffalo over Rhode Island, George Washington and Mississippi State.

"Calvin has tremendous quickness, he's a blur on the court," said Witherspoon. "He gives us great quickness on the perimeter and the ability to play both the point and shooting guard positions. His quickness reminds me of (former St. Bonaventure standout) Tim Winn, and he also has the ability to shoot the ball extremely well. We are very excited at what Calvin will bring to our program as he is also an excellent student."

Roderick Middleton is currently enrolled at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire after a stellar career at Marian Catholic in Chicago, IL. Middleton is a 6-3, 200-pound combination guard who chose Buffalo over Vanderbilt and Southern Illinois, who advanced to the NCAA's Sweet Sixteen. Middleton averaged 16 points, five rebounds and five assists per game this past season for head coach Jason Smith while playing with four other Division I prospects. Middleton was a first-team New England Prep All-Conference selection.

At Marian Catholic, Middleton was a 2001 McDonald's All-American nominee and an honorable mention Chicago Tribune All-Metro selection. He scored over 1,000 poins at Marian Catholic and after his junior season was selected as an honorable mention All-Illinois selection by USA Today.

"Roderick is a tremendous athlete who has great ability to score and play above the rim," Witherspoon noted. "He has excelled against great competition throughout his career and will help us offset the loss of scoring with the graduation of Louis Campbell and Darcel Williams."

Middleton was a highly-sought after football player as well, recruited by many Big 10 schools as a free safety after earning All-State honors in high school. His brother, Erick, plays football at Eastern Michigan where he starts at cornerback.

Walker is a power forward at 6-8, 245 pounds who possesses a soft touch as well. He averaged a double-double in points and rebounds in both his junior and senior seasons and was an All-Ohio District honorable mention selection. He was a McDonald's All-American Game candidate and was selected to play in the Cincinnati-Cleveland All-Star game. As a senior he averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds per game. He chose Buffalo over MAC rivals Toledo and Bowling Green.

"B.J. has a huge frame and will get even bigger in our strength program," said Witherspoon. "For a big man he has excellent range on his jump shot and good athleticism. He has tremendous upside and will have an opportunity to become an outstanding MAC post player."

In Witherspoon's second full season, the Bulls tripled their win total from the previous season with a 12-16 overall record and had more Mid-American Conference wins (seven) than the previous three years combined. Buffalo also was the last team to defeat Kent State before the Golden Flashes reeled off 21 straight wins before losing in the Elite Eight to eventual national runner-up Indiana.

Buffalo's 2002-2003 recruiting class will join an already strong class from last year that saw Turner Battle (Kernersville, NC/East Forsyth) earn MAC All-Freshman team kudos following the season.