Carroll spent the summer trying to gain eligibility to play there.

Carroll, an Arizona Republic second-team All-Class 5A selection in 2007, gives Grand Canyon seven Division I transfers among its 10 scholarship players.

Carroll, a 2007 high school graduate, was an integral part of Corona del Sol’s run to the 5A Division I finals in 2006. He signed in the spring of ’07 with Wisconsin-Milwaukee and spent his only year there as a redshirt.

He returned home and attended Mesa Community College last school year. He was planning to play at Mesa this season, before Pennell was hired at GCU. Pennell worked with Carroll in high school in the Arizona Premier Basketball Academy in Gilbert. Carroll is eligible to play three seasons at Grand Canyon.

Pennell signed 10 players since the spring. He also has commitments from Chandler Hamilton senior guard Micah Fetters and 7-foot center Braylon Pickerel. Pickerel played at MCC last season. He went on a two-year church mission after graduating from Mesa Red Mountain.

Pennell has brought in these players since leaving the University of Arizona, where he led the Wildcats to the Sweet 16 as interim coach:

• Senior guard T.J. Benson (transfer from Weber State)
• 6-10 freshman center Brandon Duliakis (Tucson Ironwood Ridge High)
• 6-3 freshman guard Alyx Foster (Phoenix Thunderbird)
• 6-5 freshman guard guard Steven Morin (Scottsdale Saguaro)
• 6-7 junior center Gaby Njoundjo (transfer from Charlotte)
• 6-7 senior forward Marco Ramos (transfer from Weber State)
• junior forward Rony Tchatchoua (transfer from New Hampshire)
• 6-7 sophomore forward Justin Wesolowski (transfer from Northern Colorado)
• 6-2 sophomore guard Nick Witherill (transfer from Washington State)
• 6-5 point guard Brad Carroll

Arizona Republic
August 11, 2009