EL PASO, TEXAS – UTEP has solidified its backcourt for the 2015-16 season by signing former Oregon Duck Dominic Artis. The 6-1, 185-pound point guard will have two years of eligibility with the Miners starting this winter.
Artis played two seasons for Oregon (2012-14) before spending the 2014-15 academic year at Diablo Valley College, where he focused exclusively on academics in order to secure his associate’s degree and preserve his remaining two seasons of college eligibility.
“We did extensive research on Dominic’s history and character through people who have known him since he was a child, and throughout his high school and college career,” UTEP coach Tim Floyd said. “Based on our due diligence, meeting with Dominic and his parents, and the endorsement of Matt Willms who played with Dominic in prep school, we feel comfortable adding him to our team.
“I understand where some may be concerned. I have a daughter of my own. This was not a quick decision. A lot of research and conversation occurred before we chose to move forward. Dominic made a poor decision, and as a result has learned a tough life lesson. But I believe he is a good person and is worthy of a second chance.
“Dominic has spent the last year at Diablo Valley College, working with coach Steve Coccimiglio who mentored him. He worked out every day, preparing himself for a second chance. He did not play in games, using last year as a redshirt year. He will have two years of eligibility. I believe he will make the most of his opportunity here at UTEP.”
“I am grateful to Coach Floyd for giving me another opportunity, a second chance,” Artis said. “I made a mistake and used poor judgment, but I have learned from this. I am excited about this opportunity at UTEP as I played in the Haskins Center for Oregon in our game against UTEP three years ago. UTEP has great fans and a tremendous game day atmosphere.”
A former top-100 recruit, Artis helped Oregon to 52 wins in two years and back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, playing in 53 games with 31 starts. He started 25 games during the 2012-13 season when the Ducks finished 28-9, won the Pac-12 Tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16 of NCAAs. He collected 25 points and seven steals in three NCAA Tournament games that year, all starting assignments.
During his career at Oregon, Artis collected 341 points (6.4 ppg), 145 assists (2.7 apg), 109 rebounds (2.1 rpg) and 63 steals (1.2 spg), shooting 36.2 percent (117-for-323) from the field, 33.3 percent (42-for-126) from three-point range and 67.7 percent (65-for-96) from the line. He scored in double figures 17 times.
Artis collected his career-high 16 points twice during the 2012-13 season against Portland State and at UTEP. His career-best eight rebounds came versus UC Irvine during the 2013-14 campaign. Artis also established career-highs for assists (seven) against Colorado as a sophomore, and steals (five) versus Arkansas-Pine Bluff as a freshman.
Artis played his senior season (2011-12) at Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nev., where he was a teammate of the Miners’ Matt Willms. Artis averaged 14.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.5 steals for a 32-1 team that captured the ESPN NHSI championship. One of his teammates at Findlay Prep was Anthony Bennett, the top pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. Artis led the team in steals and ranked second on the club in assists. He shot 52.7 percent from the field, 33.7 percent from outside and 78.1 percent from the charity stripe. He was named to the HoopHall Classic All-Tournament Second Team and was also an All-Tournament selection at the Good Samaritan Flyin’ To The Hoop Basketball Invitational.
A native of San Francisco, Calif., Artis played for three years at Salesian High School in Richmond. He averaged 14 points and 4.1 assists as a junior before concluding his prep career at Findlay Prep. Artis led Salesian to California’s Division IV state title as a freshman. He also played AAU basketball for the Oakland Soldiers.
