May 11, 2006

West Texas A&M University men's basketball head coach Rick Cooper announced the signing of former Amarillo High standout, Chris Hinz, to next years roster. Hinz is a 6-6 post that played his high school basketball at Amarillo High along side of current WTAMU player, Tyler Cooper.

Hinz has spent the last two season playing at Frank Phillips College in Borger, Texas. Hinz also played along side another current Buffalo while at Frank Phillips as Goran Stanic transferred to WTAMU from FPC last season. During his sophomore season at Frank Phillips, Hinz averaged 11 points and seven rebounds a game and shot 60 percent (117 of 197) from the field on the season. As a freshmen at Frank Phillips, Hinz was a part of the Western Junior College Athletic Conference Championship team that went 26-4 on the season. During that year he averaged nine points and six rebounds a game.

Hinz was a two year starter at Amarillo High with his senior season coming in 2004. While at AHS, Hinz along with Tyler Cooper led the Sandies to two district championships and a 52-8 record in those two seasons. While in high school he averaged 11.3 points per game and brought down five and half rebounds a game. Chris also received All-District honors twice while playing for the Sandies. While at AHS, Hinz played under head coach John Smith and assistant coach Jason Pillion who is a former WTAMU basketball player.

The WTAMU basketball team was the LSC Tournament Champions this past season and they also had an overall record of 23-8 and 9-3 conference record. The Buffs will return seven players from this years team which made it to the South Central Regional Quarterfinals where they were defeated by Northwestern Missouri State, 66-51.

-WT-