| COACH BURTON: "Hardy Asprilla is the hardest working, toughest
kid on our team. I don’t think there is anyone more competitive, plays harder,
or tries harder than he does. He’s a lion out there. There is absolutely no
quit in him at all."
Hardy Asprilla (pronounced ah-SPREE-yuh - with a tongue roll)
was an early signee for the Titans in November and he is expected to challenge
for a starting role... He has played both forward positions and is noted for
his defensive intensity... Has attended four schools in the past six years.
COMSAJE HIGH SCHOOL: Spent his sophomore year (1996-97) at
Comsaje High School in native Cucuton, Colombia.
LA SERNA HIGH SHOOL: Spent his junior and senior seasons
at La Serna High School in Whittier, California.
LON MORRIS COLLEGE: Was a member of a conference XIV championship
team at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, Texas.
COLLEGE OF THE SEQUOIAS: Won California Community College
Men's Basketball Coaches Association all-state and firstteam All-Central Valley
Conference honors last year at College of the Sequoias in Visalia, California,
for Coach Rusty Smith... Led the conference in rebounding for the Giants at
9.6 per game, 17th best in the state... Averaged 17.2 points per game to rank
No. 30 in the state... Had a high game of 33 points... Shot 41 percent (28
of 69) from 3-point range.
PERSONAL: Born on Jan. 24, 1982, in Cucuton, Colombia...
Parents are Leonigildo and Yolanda de Asprilla of Bucaramanga, Colombia...
Has three sisters -- Yolangel, Yenny and Yary... Kinesiology and health promotions
major whose goal is to own his own business after playing professional basketball...
Biggest sports thrill has been playing for the Colombia national team in three
different South American tournaments in Argentina, Uruguay and Colombia...
Credits Alvaro Contreras for having the most influence on his basketball careeer: "He
is like a father to me"... Enjoys dancing and listening to salsa music... Gained
the honor roll and was a student of the month at La Serna High School. | 
