Saluki guard Darren Brooks was named second-team all-district by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

Brooks is the only player from the Missouri Valley Conference represented on the NABC list of 150 athletes and is now eligible for All-American consideration at the end of the season.

Brooks leads SIU in scoring (14.3), rebounds (5.3), assists (4.57) and steals (2.89) this season.

Highlighting the first team are a trio of Illinois guards in Deron Williams, Dee Brown and Luther Head. Mike Wilkinson of Wisconsin and Vincent Grier of Minnesota were also selected to the first team.

Joining Brooks on the second-team is Travis Diener of Marquette, Paul Davis of Michigan State, DePaul’s Quemont Greer and Alando Tucker of Wisconsin.

Salukis receive verbal commitment from Christian Cornelius

Chicagohoops.com reported Friday that Brewster Academy 6-foot-7 forward Christian Cornelius gave a verbal commitment to play basketball next year for Chris Lowery and SIU.

Cornelius joins a 2005 Saluki recruiting class that includes Josh Tabb, Bryan Mullins, Jordan Armstrong and Nick Rogers.