NIU basketball signs third junior-college player

Ricardo Patton's wholesale renovation of Northern Illinois' roster doesn't stop just because the academic year comes to a close.

Patton announced the signing of 6-foot-8, 235-pound center Ante Dzepina on Friday. Dzepina, a native of Kraljevica, Croatia, averaged 6.1 points and 6.0 rebounds for Highland Community College this year.

Dzepina shot 54.5 percent from the field and 73.9 percent from the line for the Cougars, who finished 28-5 and boasted seven Division I recruits including Devan Bawinkel (Iowa) and Robert Eppinger (UIC).

Dzepina takes the scholarship that belonged to sophomore Bristan Kelley, who tried out for Northern Illinois' football team during the spring. Kelley, according to a school official, is no longer a member of the basketball or football teams.

Dzepina becomes the eighth player - and third junior-college transfer - to sign with Northern Illinois this year. Seven of the new Huskies are eligible immediately. They'll join Colorado transfer Sean Kowal, who sat out last season, to give NIU eight newcomers to go with six returning lettermen.

Kelley becomes the seventh scholarship player - joining Zach Pancratz, Cody Yelder, Darrius Gaters, Ryan Paradise, Mich Lochner and Quintan Lipkins - to leave the program with eligibility remaining since Rob Judson was fired in March 2007.