SEATTLE (June 6) -- Jason Chivers, a 6-foot-8 freshman center at Los Angeles Trade-Tech junior college, has signed a scholarship agreement with Seattle Pacific University and will play for the Falcons beginning next fall.

Playing only his second year of organized basketball, Chivers averaged 14.6 points, 15.1 rebounds and 3.4 blocked shots before suffering a season-ending knee injury 16 games into this past season at LATT. The top rebounder among California community colleges, he is expected to begin playing again this summer and will have three years of remaining eligibility.

A former professional baseball pitching prospect, Chivers spent three years in the New York Mets organization and another with independent Dixie (Ut.) in the Western Baseball League.

Chivers, 24, played basketball only his senior season at Highland High School in Palmdale, Ca. The lefthanded pitcher and first baseman the was signed by the Mets as a free agent.

Jeff Hironaka, Seattle Pacific's new head coach, said Chivers will have an immediate impact.

"Jason gives us a defensive force in the middle and huge presence on both the offensive and defensive boards," said Hironaka. "He's got a lot of ability and his potential is unlimited based on the amount he's played."

Chivers becomes the second recruit signed by Hironaka and the fourth overall, joining Enumclaw point guard Tony Binetti, swingman Dustin Bremerman of Yakima's Eisenhower High and guard Jordan Beede from Bellingham's Squalicum.

The Falcons were 24-5 and advanced to the second round of the 2002 NCAA Division II tournament. Among the three returning starters is top scorer Yusef Aziz, the Great Northwest Athletic Conference newcomer of the year.