July 28, 2016 - Panola College head men’s basketball coach Grant McMillan has announced their 2016 recruiting class. This past year the Panola men won the most games in school history registering 24 wins. Last year’s squad made it to the Region 14 Conference Championship Game and featured four division-one signees. The Ponies will return four players off of last year’s squad. Tyonte Robertson (Cincinnati, OH) Devyn Wilson (Brooklyn, NY) Tope Arikawe (Nigeria) and Chan Williams-Bey (Hartford, Connecticut) all made multiple starts last year. Panola finished the season 24-9 and spent one week in the NJCAA national poll.
“We identified high character kids who had the same vision of our program as our staff does. All eight of our new players bring something different to the table. With the addition of several transfers we immediately gain valuable experience. This league is one of the top leagues in the country and our guys know that they must raise their expectations every day.” Stated McMillan. “I wish it was August 22nd already, I am beyond excited to get rolling.” He added.
This will be McMillan’s second year at the helm of the men’s basketball year. He is assistant by second year assistant Adam Blaylock and new assistant Justin Green.
Keith Hayes – 5’11” – Little Rock, Arkansas – SO
This past year he played in 26 games for Lowell making three starts. He netted a career high 20 points against LIU-Brooklyn. KJ scored in double digits on six separate occasions while averaging 6.6 points a game. One of the best players to come out of Little Rock, KJ as a three time all-state recipient at McClellan high school. KJ was a state champion as well as the 5A player of the year
TJ Killings – 5’11” – Bridgeport, Connecticut – FR
TJ was named an All-Stater in Connecticut during his senior year at Harding High School in Bridgeton, Connecticut. He averaged over 18 points a game his senior year. This past season he played for Believe Prep in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Killings had a ‘Killer’ season as he was named one of the top combo guards in the country.
Eric McGill – 6’3” – Memphis, Tennessee – SO
Eric played his freshman year at Southeast Missouri State. This past year he played in 27 games for SEMO making 13 starts. He netted a career high 20 points against Murray State. Eric scored in double digits on seven separate occasions while averaging 7.0 points a game. Known as one of the top scorers in Memphis, he starred at Bartlett High School. He was a two time all-state and all-district player while averaging 20 points a game in high school.
Marlon Taylor – 6’6” – Mt. Vernan, New York – FR
Marlon just finished up a prep year at Forest Trail Academy in Kernersville, North Carolina. Marlon starred for Mt. Vernon High school where he led his team to the New York Section 1 Class AA state championship and 19-4 record. He was named to the All-tournament team as well as tournament MVP. His senior year he averaged 14 points and 9 rebounds a game.
KJ Byers – 6’7” – Charlotte, North Caroline – SO
KJ played his freshman season at Iowa Western Community College. This past season he averaged 3.7 points per game while shooting 40 percent from the three point line. While attending Charlotte’s Phillip O Berry High School, KJ averaged a double-double for the season averaging 16 ppg while grabbing 10 boards a contest. Those numbers earned him all conference honors for head coach Maurice Jones’ Cardinals.
Joel Tshimianga Muamba – 6’8” – Montreal, Canada – SO
Joel played his freshman year at Northwest Wyoming College. As a freshman he averaged 13.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He had a career high 27 points against Little Big Horn College. While in high school he starred for Thetford Academy. North Pole Hoops has him ranked as the 35th best Canadian player for the class of 2015.
Bryson Lockley – 6’8” – Houston, Texas – RFR
Bryson just finished up his freshman year at Santa Clara where he redshirted this year. Lockley starred at Cy Fair High School where he averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds a game his senior year. He was a four time academic all-conference recipient. Bryson has made appearances on the Guy Lewis Top 50 player in Texas list on multiple occasions.
Pernell Adgei – 6’7” – Dumfries, Virginia – SO
Pernell played his freshman year for Loyola-Chicago in the Missouri Valley conference. He appeared in nine games and made one start. Scored 11 points and chased down 13 rebounds last season. Prior to college he did a prep year at the prestigious Fishbourne Military Academy. While in high school he starred at John Paul the Great High School where he was honored as part of the DMV Elite All-Northern Virginia Team.
