Grizzlies add guard; 4 players decide to return
Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Jared Phay today announced the signing of a guard and the return of four players for the upcoming season.
Nate Houston, Toledo, Ohio, has signed a national letter of intent to join the team, and Grizzlies Sterling White, Dallas Clayton and Merrick Small have informed Phay they will continue playing for the team.
"We're thrilled to have Nate join the team. He is very quick with the ball and very athletic. He will help us play fast and provide another scoring threat," Phay said. "He can also lead a break as a point guard, and he is an elite level defender."
The 6-foot, 2-inch explosive combo guard averaged 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game this past season for Emmanuel Christian High School, and he was named the Ohio District 7 All-Star Game MVP in March.
"We're excited about the program he is coming from. Emmanuel Christian is loaded with talent and always has a very well coached team," Phay said.
Who's returning
The coach also is happy to have White, Clayton and Small back on the roster.
"I'm glad we have these guys coming back. Sterling will be a leader for us both on and off the court. Dallas has put some weight on, and Merrick has been working really hard to get back. I think Grizzly fans will be impressed with his size and skill set next year," Phay said.
White, a 6-foot, 1-inch guard from Virginia Beach, Virginia, averaged 6.8 points, 4.3 assists and two rebounds a game for the Grizzlies in 27 games this past season.
Clayton, a 7-foot forward from Wellington, New Zealand, played in 24 games and averaged 2.5 points and 1.6 rebounds a game. He shot 49 percent from the field.
Small red shirted this past season due to a wrist injury that required season-ending surgery, but Phay said Small is close to being fully cleared to play.
In addition to White, Clayton and Small, Phay said fan favorite Sam Koban of Nixa also is returning to the team.
For more information about the Grizzly Basketball program, visit MSUWPGrizzlies.com or call 417-255-7991.