SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara men's basketball signed a pair of outstanding student-athletes on Wednesday as part of their 2023 signing class. Guard Christian Hammond and center Luke McEldon both signed their national letters of intent to officially join the program for the start of the 2023-24 season.
Christian Hammond | Guard | 6-foot-3 | 180 | Dream City Christian (Denver, Colo.)
Hammond provides a the Broncos with another great scoring threat from the point guard position. The Denver product has played at multiple schools throughout his high school career and is currently playing for Dream City Christian. Hammond began turning heads early on, earning second team all conference honors as a sophomore at Cherry Creek High School in Greenwood Village, Colo. He transferred to Colorado Prep for his junior season and produced a fantastic campaign by averaging 20 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the field and 43 percent from beyond the arc.
A three-star prospect according to Rivals, 247Sports and 247Sports Composite, Hammond also excelled on the gridiron as a three-time state championship-winning quarterback. He joins the Broncos as a true freshman with four years of eligibility.
"We are so very excited to welcome Christian to our Bronco Family," head coach Herb Sendek said. "Christian has tremendous vision and feel which makes him a terrific playmaker and fun to play with. He is crafty using ball screens and score at all three levels. He is a great teammate and no doubt, Bronco Fans will enjoy cheering for him."
Officially Official ??
— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) November 9, 2022
Welcome to the Family, @Chrst_Hammond2 ??#StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/nfyQHquctz
Luke McEldon | Center | 6-10 | 225 | Cushing Academy (Ashburnham, Mass.)
Rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports, McEldon is among the top players in New England for the 2023 recruiting cycle. The big man is rated the No. 4 overall prospect in the state of Massachusetts and No. 12 in New England, according to the New England Recruiting Report. Born in the United Kingdom, he moved to the Ashburn, Va. at the age of 10 and quickly found his footing for a successful basketball career. Prior to transferring to Cushing Academy in Mass., McEldon played for Oak Hill High in Va. He chose the Broncos over offers from Virginia Tech, Texas A&M and others.
McEldon will also join the Broncos as a freshman with four years of eligibility.
"We are thrilled to welcome Luke to our Bronco Family," Sendek said. "Luke is a powerful front court player who impacts winning on both ends of the floor. His craftsmanship to create angles to score, his passing skills, and his rebounding certainly stand out. He also communicates well and is a great teammate. Bronco fans will love cheering for Luke."
The line has been signed ??
— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) November 9, 2022
Welcome to the Family, @luke_mceldon ?
♦? ?????? recruit (247Sports)
♦? No. 4 overall player from the state of Massachusetts
♦? No. 12 overall player in New England#StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/yzvRqodEyM
