Matt Peterson, who spent the last two seasons at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, Wash., brings bulk and a 51-percent shooting accuracy to the Seawolves. He averaged 11.9 points and 6 rebounds last season.
His signing gives the team 17 players -- and more front-court depth than it's had in awhile.
Peterson is one of six post players for the Seawolves, joining returnees Casey Robinson (6-6, 230) and Liam Gibcus (6-10, 245) and newcomers Taylor Rohde (6-9, 255), Chris Weitzel (6-7, 245) and Jeremy Jones (6-7, 190).
Those players "give us significantly more size and depth than we have had in the recent past, which should help us withstand those times during the year when injuries affect your lineup," UAA coach Rusty Osborne said in a press release.
With a roster packed with 17 players, UAA has depth everywhere.
That's a huge number of players in any circumstances, but especially for a program that just two seasons ago essentially had a nine-player roster and relied primarily on seven players.
The Seawolves, who carried 11 players on last season's 17-10 team, usually have about a dozen players. In 1997-98, they had 16, the biggest team in recent history.
Osborne has said some players are sure to redshirt, though decisions on who might sit out for a season have yet to be made.
He said Peterson could contend for playing time this season.
"Despite his mass, Matt has very good athleticism and the ability to get fouled and (get) the other team in foul trouble," Osborne said. "His challenge will be getting himself into better physical condition so he can play longer minutes at a higher level."
Peterson is one of eight new Seawolves, a group led by Rohde, a Division I transfer from Arizona State, and Lonnie Ridgeway, a 6-3 guard from Anchorage who became a force during his sophomore season in 2008-09 but skipped last season to help support his newborn girl.
Find Beth Bragg online at adn.com/contact/bbragg or call 257-4335.
Important warning about e-mails purporting to be from the adn.com staff.