hen former University of Massachusetts associate coach John Robic walks into his first practice with his Youngstown State team in Ohio, he will see a familiar face.

Former UMass guard Rafael Cruz has decided to follow Robic to his new post and will transfer to Youngstown State. Due to NCAA transfer regulations, Cruz can practice, but will have to sit out games next season. He will have two years of eligibility remaining when he resumes playing in 2000-2001.

Cruz, a 6-foot-2 guard, decided to transfer after last season in hopes of finding more playing time.

"I wanted more playing time and that is one of the major reasons why I decided to come to Youngstown State," Cruz said in a press release. "Plus I want a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament. Academically, YSU has a strong engineering program and that played a major part in my decision. I liked the way everybody at Youngstown State treated me when I visited. I also have a great relationship with coach Robic. He recruited me to go to UMass."

Robic was pleased by Cruz's decision.

"Rafael is a combination point guard and shooting guard," Robic said in the same press release. "He is an excellent shooter who can shoot the 3-pointer and likes the up-tempo game. He understands what I want to have out of a guard."

OUNGSTOWN, OH- Former Massachusetts guard Rafael Cruz announced today that he is transferring to Youngstown State University, according to YSU first-year head coach John Robic.

In accordance with NCAA transfer requirements, Cruz will sit out this season and will have two years of eligibility beginning in 2000-2001.

Cruz, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound guard, played at Massachusetts for head coach James "Bruiser" Flint. In two years as a back-up, Cruz appeared in 37 games and averaged 1.9 points, 0.8 assists and 0.7 rebounds per game.

A native of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Cruz had his best year with the Minutemen last season. In 23 games, Cruz averaged 2.3 points and 0.9 assists per game. He hit for a career-high 16 points, making all four of his three-point field goal attempts in a game against Duquesne. Against nationally-ranked St. John's, Cruz went 3-for-4 from the floor and scored nine points.

As a freshman in 1997-98, Cruz appeared in 13 games, averaging 1.0 points and 0.5 rebounds per game. An excellent student, Cruz earned a spot on the on the Athletic Director's Honor Roll with a grade point average of over 3.0 in the fall semester.

"Rafael is a combination, point guard and shooting guard," said Robic. "He is an excellent shooter who can shoot the three-pointer and likes the up-tempo game. He understands what I want to have out of a guard."

Cruz visited the YSU campus in April and liked what he saw of the campus and the people.

"I like the way everybody at Youngstown State treated me when I visited," said Cruz. "Jim Tressel (athletic director) and the players made me feel comfortable. I also have a great relationship with coach Robic. He recruited me to go to UMass. I just felt that YSU was a good situation, both for basketball and academics."

Cruz fits in well with the Penguins' plans. YSU will lose senior point guard Albert Crockett after this season, leaving junior Ryan Patton as the team's only point guard.

"I wanted more playing time that is one of the reasons why I decided to come to Youngstown State," said Cruz. "Plus, I want a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament. Academically, YSU has a strong engineering program, and that played a major part in my decision."

Cruz played scholastically for coach Sam Andy at Wheeling High School, where he averaged 15.4 points per game as senior. Cruz guided his team to a 20-6 record and a second-place finish in the West Virginia state tournament during his senior campaign. Cruz was runner-up in the voting for "Mr. Basketball" in West Virginia as a junior and senior. As a junior, Cruz earned Blue Ribbon Magazine Honorable Mention All-America honors after averaging 24.0 points and 6.0 assists as a junior. He also earned first-team All-State accolades and was named to the All-West Virginia state tournament team as a junior.