WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Three members of the 2013-14 Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Basketball team have signed national letters of intent to play for NCAA Division I schools in Texas beginning next fall.
Freshman forward Justin Jamison, Garfield Heights, Ohio, and sophomore guard Devaugntah Williams, Canton, Ohio, will join the Texas Tech University Red Raiders, and sophomore guard Arroyo Edwards, Milwaukee, Wis., will become a member of the University of Texas-San Antonio (UTSA)Roadrunners.
“I am proud of these three young men,” Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Yancey Walker said. “Their stories are so different, but they all have worked to accomplish the same goal of signing at an NCAA Division I institution.”
Jamison said he chose Texas Tech “because of the family atmosphere and the way the city shows love and support for the program. Coach Tubby Smith is also a big reason for choosing Texas Tech. He and Coach Esposito handled my recruiting exceptionally well.”
Williams said he chose Texas Tech “because it is a good opportunity for me to be able to make an impact right away. Not too many people where I’m from knew Coach Tubby Smith, but it always stuck with me that he was one of the national championship coaches who was also African-American. When the opportunity to play for him came about, I had to take it.”
Edwards chose UTSA “because it felt like the coaching staff wanted me there and needed me there. They made me feel like I would be a bigger part of their program, and they made me feel cared for. Coach (Robert) Guster (a former Grizzly Basketball player and assistant coach) did a great job handling my recruiting.”
Jamison averaged 10.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game this past season. He hit 123 of 203 shots from the field for 60.6 percent, three of six 3-pointers for 50 percent, and 63 of 100 attempts from the free throw line for 63 percent. He had a total of 203 rebounds, 42 blocks and six steals.
Williams led the Grizzlies in scoring this past season, averaging 17.8 points per game. He also averaged 4.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and one steal per game. He connected on 169 of 386 shots from the field for 43.8 percent, 64 of 166 3-point shots for 38.6 percent and 79 of 115 shots from the free throw line for 68.7 percent. He collected 111 total rebounds, 99 assists and 26 steals during the season.
Edwards averaged 14.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists this past season. He connected on 130 of 291 shots from the field for 44.7 percent, 27 of 75 3-pointers for 36 percent and 143 of 200 free throw attempts for 71.5 percent. He collected a total of 68 rebounds, 95 assists and 14 steals this past season.
“It is my hope that these three experience the success they deserve at the next level,” Walker said. “Justin and Devaugntah are getting the honor of playing for someone that I believe will be in the Hall of Fame. Arroyo is not only playing for a former NBA player (Roadrunners Head Coach Brooks Thompson), but for a former Grizzly in Robert Guster. These three are a big part of the reason we had 100 Division I coaches in this year. They have certainly left their mark on this program.”
All three said they were glad they had the opportunity to play for the Grizzlies. “Missouri State-West Plains was great to me because of the opportunities that it afforded me and because it helped me find my way after my baseball career ended,” Jamison said. “I want to thank the coaching staff and everyone else who helped me along the way. I wouldn’t have this opportunity without them.”
“After my senior year, I was thankful to be able to play two years at Missouri State-West Plains,” Williams said. “I enjoyed my time here, and I am very thankful to the coaching staff for all of their help and guidance. Having played with the returners and seeing the recruits we’ve signed, I know that the winning tradition will continue after we’re gone.”
“Missouri State-West Plains was a great place,” Edwards added. “Coming from a bigger city to a small town, I was able to focus on what I needed to focus on. I had a lot of time to concentrate on my grades and work on my game.”
For more information about the Grizzly Basketball team, including complete statistics from the games, visit wp.missouristate.edu/grizzly/bb/.