WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Keeton Tennison, a freshman guard on this year’s Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Basketball team, has decided to take his talents to Southern Arkansas University (SAU) in Magnolia for the remainder of his collegiate career.
Tennison, a graduate of Valley Springs High School near Harrison, Arkansas, recently signed paperwork to transfer to Southern Arkansas and play for the Muleriders, an NCAA Division II school in the Great American Conference.
“We’ll miss Keeton’s shooting ability and his toughness, but with SAU losing two prominent scorers, I believe Keeton can go in and make an impact as a shooter,” Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Yancey Walker said. “Based on his averages here, he would have been their best 3-point shooter this past season. They have increased their win totals for the past two seasons, and I believe that he will help them continue their climb toward the top of the Great American Conference.”
Tennison averaged 5.5 points, .8 assists and 1.5 rebounds per game in 32 games this past season. He also shot 43.1 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from 3-point range.
SAU’s reputation and the status of the Great American Conference among NCAA Division II schools played a role in Tennison’s decision to transfer. “I chose Southern Arkansas University because they finished at the top of one of the best conferences in NCAA Division II, and they are returning multiple starters,” he said. “I felt very comfortable with the coaches and playing in their system. I plan to walk in and make an immediate impact as a shooter and as a leader on and off the floor.
“I’d like to thank everyone from Missouri State University-West Plains for all of the support throughout the year,” he added. “I’d also like to thank the coaching staff for the opportunity to be a Grizzly. And, I want to specifically thank my host parents, Dennis and Sonya McGinley.”
For more information about the Grizzly Basketball team, including complete statistics from the games, visit wp.missouristate.edu/grizzly/bb/.