Arkansas State University men's basketball Coach Mike Balado announced his 2017 signing class Wednesday in a news release.
The Red Wolves have signed four players to national letters of intent, including Jonesboro guard Marquis Eaton.
Eaton, guard Grantham Gillard of Minneapolis, and forwards Tristin Walley of Richton, Miss., and Shaquillo Fritz of Freeport Bahamas, have signed with ASU.
Eaton, 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, led Jonesboro its first undefeated season (32-0) since 1954 and was the MVP in the Class 6A state championship game against El Dorado. He averaged more than 12 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds per game for the Hurricane.
Gillard, 6-4, 200, played high school basketball at Eden Prairie, Minn., before heading to two junior colleges, Northwest (Wyo.) College and South Plains (Texas) College. At South Plains, Gillard averaged 10.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game, leading the Texans to a 32-2 record and an appearance in the NJCAA Tournament semifinals.
Fritz, 6-8, 215, played at Paris (Texas) Junior College last season. He averaged 4.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game while recording 40 blocked shots. Fritz was at Miami Dade College in 2015-2016.
Walley, 6-7, 205, was at Jones County Community College in Mississippi the past two seasons. He helped lead the Bobcats to a program-best 29-2 record in 2016-2017 while averaging 10.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game on 47.2 percent shooting. Walley played high school basketball at Hattiesburg, Miss.
Balado, a former assistant coach at Louisville, was hired by ASU in March. He replaced Grant McCasland, who is now at North Texas.
GOLF
UCA tied for sixth
The University of Central Arkansas finished in a tie for sixth place Wednesday at the Southland Conference men's golf championship at Stonebridge Ranch Country Club in McKinney, Texas.
The Bears closed with a 310 and finished at 938, tying with Houston Baptist. McNeese State won the tournament with a 918.
Junior Louis Tomlinson tied for fifth place, finishing at 228 after shooting a third-round 74 on Wednesday. Senior Ryan Shuttleworth (236) was tied for 20th, while sophomore Lewis George (238) tied for 24th. Junior Rodrigo Rivas (240) tied for 30th. Sophomore Luis Obiols (242) finished in a tie for 33rd.
Freedom Golf Scramble scheduled
The seventh annual Freedom Golf Scramble is scheduled for May 15 at Diamante Golf Course in Hot Springs Village.
The scramble is a benefit for the Arkansas Freedom Fund, which helps Arkansas' Wounded Warriors and veterans.
Sponsorships run from $125 to $5,000. For more information, call (501) 517-5338, (501) 915-8533 or email arkansasfreedom@sbcglobal.net.
TENNIS
UCA honored by Southland
The University of Central Arkansas women's tennis team had four players named to the Southland Conference postseason team.
Sophomore QiLi Ma and junior Rada Manataweewat were named to the first team at No. 2 doubles. Junior Amiru Shimoguchi and sophomore Marli Van Heerden earned second-team honors at No. 4 and No. 5 singles, respectively. Ma also was an honorable mention selection at No. 3 singles.
Sports on 04/27/2017