WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Two sophomores from the 2011-12 Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Basketball team will complete their collegiate careers at National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) schools.
Kevin Nelson, a 6-foot, 2-inch guard from Albuquerque, N.M., will play ball as a walk-on at the University of Colorado at Boulder, a NCAA Division I school and member of the PAC-12 Conference, and Farbod Farman, a 6-foot, 11-inch forward/center from Mashad, Iran, will play for Hawai’i Pacific University in Honolulu, a NCAA Division II school in the PacWest Conference.
“We are thrilled for these two young men to be able to continue their careers at these institutions. They have both made wise decisions and have found places that are great fits academically and athletically for each of them,” Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Yancey Walker said.
Nelson, the Grizzlies’ lone NCAA Division I transfer player this year, averaged 8 points, three rebounds and two assists during the past season. He shot 38 percent from the field, 32 percent from 3-point range and 72 percent from the charity stripe.
“The University of Colorado has high academic standards, and Kevin will thrive there,” Walker said. “He will be closer to home, and he will get to travel much of the west coast and experience life at the high-major NCAA Division I level. We couldn’t be happier for him, but we will miss the example that he set as a gym rat, both on the court and in the weight room.”
“Beginning at Missouri State-West Plains was a tremendous experience that was made possible through the efforts of the coaches, teachers and members of the community,” Nelson said. “It was an experience that has prepared me for the challenges ahead.”
Farman averaged 6 points, four rebounds and one block per game this past season. He shot 64 percent from the field and 74 percent from the free throw line.
“I am thrilled that Farbod will be playing for Coach Darren Vorderbrugge at Hawai’i Pacific University,” Walker said. “I was fortunate enough to spend two years with Coach V before coming to Missouri State-West Plains, and I can say that Farbod is going to play for a great man. Their style of play really adheres to Farbod’s strengths, and they have a great international business department and high international student population. And, the weather is pretty nice there, as well.”
“Missouri State-West Plains was a good place to start my college career and learn how to play basketball in the United States,” Farman said. “I appreciate my coaches, especially Coach Walker, who taught me a lot of things and pushed me to be my best.”
For more information about the Grizzly Basketball program, visit the team’s website at http://www.wp.missouristate.edu/grizzly/bb.htm or call the Grizzly Basketball office at 417-255-7993.