Looking Ahead to 2009-10: Hoping to overcome injury issues in final Govs season...continues to battle knee troubles that are expected to keep him out for early 2009-10 season...after finishing 2007-08 season strong, struggled a year ago because of injury woes...when healthy owns great athletic ability...considered terrific leaper in the mold of former Govs LaMonte Ware and John Jenkins…adept player around rim…finishes with authority…effective facing basket, having developed consistent jump shot...still working to improve back-to-basket skills....active player on defensive end…considered tremendous shot blocker, leading team in that category a year ago…also has quickness to be strong on-ball defender…joined former Memphis prep teammate Wes Channels as Governor, following in the footsteps of former Govs star Adrian Henning, who also prepped at Ridgeway.
As a junior in 2008-09: Moved into starting role after coming off bench previous season...appeared in 28 games, missing five because of knee problems...opened season as starter but injury troubles left him coming off bench in season's final month...his scoring (4.5 ppg) and rebound (3.8) averages slipped from his sophomore numbers because of injury woes...played 31 minutes in second career start at Evansville, finishing with 11 points, four rebounds, two blocks and three steals...went two-for-two from three-point range, his only three pointers during season...played stellar post defense at Belmont in season's second game, dishing out career-best six steals...narrowly missed double-double at Georgia Southern, scoring 8 points while grabbing season-high 12 rebounds...connected on season-best five free throws at Arkansas, finishing with seven points...came off bench to score seven points, grab three rebounds and tie a career-high with three blocks against Stephen F. Austin in Jim Thorpe Classic contest...scored season-high 15 points, with six rebounds and four steals in home loss to Belmont...finished with nine points and eight rebounds against Eastern Kentucky while playing 30 minutes...ended with six points, six rebounds and three blocks in only 14 minutes at Murray State....suffered foot injury with 3:46 to play in the first half and did not return...missed three games....returned to action at Eastern Kentucky, coming off bench in overtime...started at Morehead State for the first time since returning from foot injury....played season-high 38 minutes against UT Martin, scoring 8 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in home loss....grabbed five rebounds in only nine minutes of action at Tennessee Tech....missed two more games with knee woes before being relegated to bench duty...came off bench to provide solid rebounding and defense in OVC semifinal action against Murray State, finishing with five points, six rebounds, three blocked shots and three steals...also played 35 minutes in OVC tourney title game, grabbing seven rebounds.
As a sophomore in 2007-08: Emerged as dependable, quality reserve during second Govs season, especially in season's final month-plus...after some inconsistent moments during 2007 portion of schedule, began to shine as year closed...scored 10 points, his first career double-digit performance, against Middle Tennessee, Dec. 29, while also grabbing seven rebounds...had solid eight-point outing in Govs home win against Eastern Illinois before becoming APSU's leading scorer with 15 points in loss at Murray State...went 11 of 12 at free-throw line game...shortly thereafter recorded career's first double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds off bench at Jacksonville state...proved to be relatively consistent performer the season's remainder...in fact, averaged 8.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game over final 13 contests...had nine games with five rebounds or more during stretch...provided career's first career start at Eastern Kentucky when Drake Reed was suspended...proved dominating by scoring career-high 16 points, on 7-of-11 shooting, while grabbing 16 rebounds...rebound total was most by a Gov since since Jan. 19, 2006...less than week later scored 15 more points against Eastern Kentucky in first-round OVC tourney game...narrowly missed double-double in NCAA Tourney Regional game against Texas coming off bench...was Govs leading scorer (14 points) and rebounder (nine), going five-of-six from floor....named APSU's Player of the Game by CBS.
As a freshman in 2006-07: Appeared in 32 of 33 games, including double-figure minutes on 12 occasions...averaged 1.7 points and 1.6 rebounds per game...played season-high 18 minutes in home contest against Tennessee State...also played 14 minutes on return trip to Memphis....came off bench to score season-high six points at Morehead State...later matched that total at Memphis...made 14 straight free throws at one point, including going four-for-four against Marian...in fact, shot 79.2 percent from line on season...played 10 minutes against SEMO. Responded with three rebounds and put-back dunk..had four points and four rebounds in season finale at Air Force.
In high school: Averaged 16 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game for Wes Henning at Ridgeway High School as senior… selected to Region 8 all-tournament team… chosen District 15 MVP as well as to its all-tourney team… chosen to Memphis "Best of the Preps" for second straight season… named team MVP… also was chosen to play in the 2006 Memphis All-Star Classic at the FedEx Forum… earlier in year was named Ridgeway's MVP at the Nike Hardwood Classic… also earned the individual hustle award at the Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach as well as the event's slam dunk champion… as junior, averaged 17 points, 9.1 rebounds and 4.0 blocked shots per game in helping Ridgeway to state championship… chosen to state all-tournament teams… invited to attend the 2005 Adidas Superstar Camp in Atlanta.
Personal: Broadcast media major…member of Athletics Director's Honor Roll both semester a year ago...also member of OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll in 2008-09...hearing-impaired youngster who once was presented the Memphis "Key to the City for Overcoming Adversity"...has utilized TypeWell transcription system to aid with classroom work...despite being hearing impaired has written and performed Rap music...son of Ernest Fields and Brenda Saddler… born Jan. 20, 1988… age 21.
