MACOMB, Ill.  -  Western Illinois University head men's basketball coach Jim Molinari has announced the signees David Gebru and Billy Molinari for the 2009-10 season.

A 6-foot-10 front line player, Gebru comes to Western from Maine Central Institute. A graduate of Rainier Beach High School in Seattle, Wash., Gebru was a part of the state championship team title his senior season as he earned all-league honorable mention.

"David gives us a young man that's farther along than the normal freshman in that he played top competition at the prep-school level and has furthered his development under coach (Dave) Campbell at Maine Central," Molinari said. "He is a personable high-low post player that has an ability to consistently produce points and rebounds." 

At Maine Central, Gebru scored a season-best 23 points with numerous games of double figures in both scoring and rebounding. Gebru's team was one to advance to the postseason tournament in the Nepsac Conference, a league which invites only the top eight teams.

"David is an excellent medium-range jump shooter," Maine Central Institute's head coach Dave Campbell said. "He is a very quiet kid who talks defensively on the court and leads by example on the court. He is not the type of kid to get after other players, but will cheer his teammates on."

A 6-foot-2 guard out of Peoria Christian School, Billy was a part of 83 victories at the varsity level. As a senior, he helped lead the Chargers to 26 wins, a No. 1 ranking, a conference championship and a title in the prestigious State Farm Holiday Classic.

"Billy is a hardworking young man that is very goal oriented and well rounded," Molinari said of his son. "He is an outstanding shooter and his strength has helped him improve his ability to take the ball to the basket. As a coach, I understand like with all freshman, that his biggest adjustment will be in the level of athletic ability that comes with the Division I level and I am confident he will make that adjustment."

The all-time leading scorer in school history with 1,601 points, Molinari averaged 19.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in the 2008-09 season. He recorded a 53.8 shooting percent from the field and 85.4 percent at the free throw line.

"This has been his dream and I've seen a resiliency in him that has made him stronger," Peoria Christian's head coach Jay Bruer said. "He was always about making his team better, and that was a big part of our success this season."

Molinari was named to the 2A all-state first team by both the Associated Press and the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association and was a first team all-Tri-County selection. In the classroom, Molinari has earned a 4.0 grade point average.