Narkis Choses Bellevue Bruins

Sheridan College sophomore forward, Rolands Narkis, has committed to play for the Bellevue University Bruins next season. Narkis, a 6’6” forward from Broceni, Latvia averaged 4.8 points per game for the Generals this past season, along with 3.2 rebounds per game.  Rolands was second on the team in field goal percentage, shooting 61.3% from the floor; Rolands also shot 32% from beyond the arc.  An academic All-Region performer, Narkis maintains a 3.5 GPA in the classroom and is a member of the collegiate national honors society, Phi Theta Kappa. 

Coach Steve Smiley commented on Rolands' commitment: "We're really excited to see Rolands get this opportunity to move on and play for one of the top NAIA programs in the nation at Bellevue University. Their program has consistently been a Top 25 national program and I'm really excited to see how he does for Coach Paben. Rolands will be able to play a couple of different positions and will hopefully their program in a major way. Ro has been a great student and a great teammate for the past two years and we couldn't be happier for him to receive this opportunity."

Bellevue University posted a 28-6 record this past season, winning the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference championship, and advancing to the second round in the NAIA National Tournament.  Narkis is the sixth General to commit to a four-year institution off the 2011-2012 roster. He joins Leverette (Missouri Southern), Bradford (Weber State), Sankey (Lipscomb University), Lippert (University of Detroit), and Prosser (Portland State).

Leverette Commits To Missouri Southern

Sheridan College freshman R.J. Leverette has committed to play for the Missouri Southern Lions next season.  Leverette started 22 games for the Generals this past season, averaging 9.2 points per game, 3.1 rebounds, and dished out 2.7 assists per game.  A great outside shooter, Leverette shot 38% from beyond the arc, hitting a team high 52 three-point baskets on the year.  Leverette had a season high 23 points against Gillette College going 7-7 from beyond the arc. 

Coach Smiley commented on R.J.'s commitment: “We’re really happy for R.J. and his decision to move on to Missouri Southern. R.J. was an academic qualifier out of high school and we knew that he would have opportunities to move on after this freshmen year, and Missouri Southern is a great fit. We really felt that R.J.’s best chance to impact a program at the NCAA level would be if he has 3 years remaining at his next school, so this is a great situation for everybody. He’ll have a chance to compete for playing time immediately and will hopefully have a great career!”

Missouri Southern finished the year with an impressive 22-8 record, ranked #23 in the nation before losing in the NCAA Division II basketball Midwest Regional.  A member of the prestigious MIAA Conference, Missouri Southern is located in Joplin, Missouri.

Laramie Native Joins Generals

The Generals have garnered a commitment from Wyoming guard Tate Hilgenkamp for the 2012-2013 season. Hilgenkamp , a 5’10”, 160 pound guard from Laramie, Wyoming played for Coach Jason Mountain at Laramie High School.  Tate is a two-time All-Conference and All-State selection, earning the honors during the 2010-11 season, as well as the 2011-12 season.  Tate averaged 11 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game for the Plainsmen.

“Tate should be a great addition to our team next year and help give us more stability in our point guard position,” Commented Coach Steve Smiley. “Tate visited campus recently and we were impressed with his toughness and skill level. He’ll have to work hard to compete at this level, but we believe that Tate will take the challenge and continue to improve his game. We’re really excited to add Tate to this year’s recruiting class.”

Generals Add Baltimore Standout

The Sheridan College Generals have picked up a commitment from Baltimore, Maryland native Iakeem Alston.  Alston averaged 16 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds for Dunbar High School, leading the Maryland powerhouse to back-to-back state championships in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011.  An offensively efficient player, Alston shot 40% from beyond the arc and 52% from the field.  Alston was honored with the Most Valuable Player award at the Mayor’s Academy Tournament, and was honored by being selected to the Baltimore All-City All-Star Team.  Alston played his Prep career at Princeton Day Academy, highlighted by a 20 point performance against Imani Christian Academy. Aikeem played for Coach Bernard Vaughn for Crusader Nation AAU along with current General Brandon Pines.

 

Coach Smiley commented on Iakeem’s signing: “We’re really excited to get Iakeem committed to play for us next year. We’ve recruited Iakeem as a point guard that can do several things, and we think that he will be a great defender, will be able to run the show and also create shots when needed. Iakeem is extremely tough and competitive and will bring a winning mentality with him as soon as he steps on campus.”

Iakeem Alston Highlight

Generals Sign Chicago Standout Ruffin

The Sheridan College Generals announced the signing of Rich South standout John Ruffin to a national letter of intent.  The 6’5, 210-pound forward averaged 12.7 points and 11.6 rebounds while leading the Rich South Stars to a 21-8 record this past year.  A double-double machine, Ruffin hit the 20 rebounds mark twice this past season for the Stars, pulling down 20 rebounds and scoring 21 points in a victory over Crete-Monee.  Ruffin also notched 21 boards and 17 points in a victory over Seton Academy.

The Chicago, Illinois native was named to the prestigious McDipper Basketball Tournament All-Tournament team this past season.  Ruffin was also named the Chicago-Sun Times Southtown Star Player of the Week. An Illinois All-State performer, Ruffin played at Rich South for Coach Scot Ritter.  Ruffin also played for the Illinois Wolverines under the direction of Coach Tyrone Johnson.

Coach Smiley had this to say about John: “We’re thrilled to get a player of John’s caliber in this recruiting class. John adds immediate toughness to our roster and is a power forward that can play both inside and out. His ability to rebound is really special. I’ve been following John for a couple of years, and both myself and Coach Dan Magrino really liked him when we saw him live again during the Christmas break. John has been a target of ours for a long time and we’re really excited that he’s officially on board with us. He should have a great career.”

John Ruffin Highlight Tape

Bradford Signs With Weber State

Sheridan College freshman guard Wayne Bradford has signed a national letter of to play for Weber State University. Bradford averaged 11.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists for the Generals this past season, helping them to a record of 25-7. Bradford led the nation in free throw percentage this past season, shooting an outstanding 90.7% from the charity stripe. A highly efficient shooter, Bradford also shot 48.8% from the field and 41% from beyond the arc.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to play for Weber State next year and continue my career”, said Bradford. “I'm going to miss everything about the Sheridan College program; Coach Smiley, Coach Magrino, and my teammates all helped me become a better player and person.”

Weber State posed a 25-7 record this past season, losing in the Big Sky Championship game. Bradford will fill the void for the Wildcats left by Damian Lillard, who has declared for the NBA Draft, and is projected to go in the early first-round.

Coach Smiley commented on Wayne’s signing, “We’re really excited about Wayne’s decision to sign with Weber State. Weber has been a program that has been at or near the top of the Big Sky Conference for several years and we really believe he has a chance to make a mark at Weber, being that he has 3 years of eligibility remaining. Wayne has worked extremely hard both on the floor & in the classroom during his freshmen year here at Sheridan and we’re all just really excited to see that his hard work has paid off.”

Weber State is a member of the Big Sky Conference, located in Ogden, Utah. Bradford is the fourth General to sign with a Division I school this year. Khion Sankey with Lipscomb University, Jermaine Lippert with the University of Detroit, and Lamont Prosser with Portland State; who also competes in the Big Sky conference.

Charis Prep Standout Joins The Generals

X-Keem Jones from Charis Prep School in Wilson, North Carolina has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Sheridan College Generals next season. A highly touted recruit, Jones averaged 18 points per game, 6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while leading Charis to a 38-3 record. During the 2011-12 season, Charis won the National Prep Tournament.

In 2010-2011 X-Keem played for Beddingifled High School in Wilson, North Carolina. While at Beddingifield, Jones led his team to a 19-6 record garnering a 1^st Team All-Conference honor. Jones joins former Charis Prep big man Brandon Pines for the 2012-2013 season.

Charis Prep Head Coach Carlos Peralta commented on X-Keem’s signing: "X-Keem Jones is extremely excited to join the Sheridan College men's basketball program and play for Steve Smiley. I have never had a young man who was more dedicated and worked harder to improve than X-Keem Jones -- on the court and in the classroom. I am very glad X-Keem will be attending Sheridan College. I fully expect him to do very well."

Coach Smiley had this to say about about X-Keem: “We’re really excited that X-Keem has decided to become a part of the General’s family. Both myself and Coach Magrino had the opportunity to see X play live during the year and absolutely love what he can do on the floor. X is a very, very athletic wing that plays hard on both ends of the floor. With his work ethic, he should continue to improve greatly over his career at Sheridan, and we think he will be a big part of our 2012 recruiting class! He is exactly the type of young man that we want representing our program as we move forward.”

X-Keem Jones Highlight Video