Florida Tech Mens Basketball Signs Hellemann to NLI

MELBOURNE, Fla. (Men’s Basketball) – Florida Tech men’s basketball coach Billy Mims announced Wednesday the signing of Derek Hellemann, a
6-7 forward from Lebanon High School in Lebanon, Ohio, to a National Letter of Intent. He will join the Panthers in the Fall of 2008.   “Derek was
recruited by many Division I programs, so I am thrilled that he has chosen to become a Panther,” said Mims.   Hellemann comes highly touted. He was is
a three-year varsity player for Lebanon – currently in his senior season – where registered 14 double-doubles and scored a career-high 36 points last year
as a junior. In his best rebounding game last season, Hellemann pulled down 19 boards off the glass.   Hellemann has a long list of accolades to his
name already. He was named the 2006-07 GWOC South Player of the Year, first team All-Dayton Area, third team All-Southwest District, the 2006 MVP of the
AAU Shining Star tournament and was in the top five in the Dayton area in points, rebounding and field goal percentage.   His best quality as a player
lies in his versatility. Hellemann played four positions last year, which is no small feat, but something he could do because of his athleticism,
rebounding ability, ball-handling ability, perimeter defense and outside shooting touch.   “Derek will be an excellent fit at Florida Tech as a
student, a young man and certainly as a basketball player,” said Mims. “We lose five seniors after this season, four of which start for us, so I think that
he could be an impact player for us as a freshman next year.”   Even though Hellemann hails from Ohio, he’s no stranger to the Florida landscape. His
grandparents winter at Vero Beach, Fla., and when he visits, he enjoys fishing and snorkeling.