Grant, Daniels Invited to Jerry Mullen Hoops Camp

By Justin Hatten
Published: Wednesday, July 2, 2008 4:44 PM CDT
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Olney Central College guards Ahmad Grant and Ryan Daniels will compete in Jerry Mullen’s prestigious 120 Elite Camp July 6-7 at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla.

The top 120 incoming junior-college sophomores in the nation will attend the invitation-only camp and over 200 NCAA coaches will be on hand to evaluate future prospects. This marks the first time any Blue Knights have been selected.

Mullen spent 22 successful seasons as a head coach at Kansas high schools and junior colleges. He has been inducted into both the Barton County Community College and Cowley County Community College Hall of Fames and over 350 four-year schools subscribe to his ever-expanding scouting service (www.mullensports.net).

“I’m thrilled for Ahmad and Ryan to be recognized by Jerry as two of the top 120 players in JUCO basketball,” OCC head coach Mike Burris said. “This will be a great opportunity for both of them to be seen by numerous colleges across the country.”

Grant, a 2008 All-Great Rivers Athletic Conference (GRAC) selection, averaged 19.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game as a freshman while shooting 89 percent from the free-throw line. The 6’3” scoring machine from Peoria posted back-to-back 33-point games last November to start his OCC career.

“Ahmad is already on people’s radar,” Burris said. “A good performance out there in Tulsa, and his recruitment could really skyrocket.”

Although Daniels has yet to play a game for the Blue Knights, his presence in the lineup this winter should help OCC tremendously.

The 6’1” transfer from Drake University was a first-team All-State performer at La Cueva High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he averaged 16.8 points and 3.3 assists per game as a senior for the 21-9 Bears.

He helped guide La Cueva to a Class 5A state runner-up finish during his junior campaign and had 20 points, 12 assists, 10 boards and 10 steals in the 2006 New Mexico East/West All-Star Game.

“For Ryan, it’s a chance to let people know that he’s out there after red-shirting at Drake last season,” Burris said.

The Blue Knights open their 2008-09 season November 1 at the Dungeon against Sound Doctrine Christian Academy of LaGrange, Ga. Grant will again wear #5 while Daniels will don a #3 OCC uniform.

“Every time I talk to these guys (Ahmad and Ryan), they are going to or coming from the gym,” Burris said. “Both have worked very hard this summer to improve their games. Obviously, we expect big things from both of them this season and it’s good to see their hard work pay off (with an invite to Tulsa).”

Fellow GRAC players Monie Hudson (Southeastern Illinois) and Chris Hines (Southwestern Illinois) will also attend the 120 Elite Camp. Hudson is the reigning GRAC Freshman of the Year.

Jobe Signs with Indiana Hoosiers

By Justin Hatten
Published: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 2:48 PM CDT
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Former Olney Central College big man Tijan Jobe is headed to Bloomington.

The 7-foot, 245-pound center inked a letter-of-intent Tuesday to play for new head coach Tom Crean and the Indiana Hoosiers starting next season. Jobe, a Gambia native with a 7-5 wingspan, averaged 4.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 13 minutes per game for the Blue Knights last winter.

“Coach Crean has had unbelievable success developing players,” OCC head coach Mike Burris said. “Coach Crean is a high-energy, high-intensity guy who puts his players in position to be successful. He really liked Tijan on film and he’s got a plan for him. You can’t teach 7-foot. Tijan is a physical guy who can run the floor and he’s really improved since March.”

Despite the less-than-eye-popping statistics, Burris thinks Jobe is more suited for the rugged Big Ten than the up-tempo Great Rivers Athletic Conference.

“Foreign kids don’t usually play their best basketball at the JUCO level,” Burris said. “Tijan plays extremely hard and he’s getting better every day. He’s still developing his skills on the offensive end but he’s gonna be expected to defend and rebound at IU.”

Jobe will have two years of eligibility at Indiana. He joins University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee-bound Burleigh Porte as the second Blue Knight to sign with an NCAA Division I program during the spring.

“Our job is to graduate kids and get them to the next level,” Burris said. “We’ve improved our program in a lot of ways even though we haven’t won as many games as we would’ve liked. I couldn’t be happier for Tijan and Burleigh. They’re two high-character kids who go to class every day. It’s a great opportunity for both of them to further their education and play D-I basketball.”

OCC Blue Knights land big-time scorer out of Alabama

By Justin Hatten
Published: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 2:14 PM CDT
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One of the top high-school scorers in Alabama has signed to play basketball for the OCC Blue Knights starting next season.

Reigning Opelika-Auburn News Player of the Year Alex Phillips averaged 26.4 points, 8.2 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 2.2 steals during his senior season for Smith Station High School in Smiths, Ala.

The 6’3”, 190-pound wing pumped in a season-high 39 points in Smith Station’s 75-62 victory over the Central Red Devils in the first round of the Area 8 Tournament and was 13-of-14 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.

Phillips, a second-team all-stater in Class 6A, scored 13 points in a span of 62 seconds in Smith Station’s 76-65 loss to Phillips High School in the Area 8 championship game and finished with 32 overall.

“We are getting a big-time talent in Alex (AP),” OCC head coach Mike Burris said. “We had a Division I coaching friend call us on AP and we were blown away watching him on film. He’s a jet-quick guard who also excels in track. He’s long, very athletic and makes plays. AP’s also excellent off the dribble. He can play the point, off- guard or a wing.”

As a junior, Phillips led Glenwood High School to a Class 3A state title, netting 29 points in the championship game. He was named first-team all-state as well as the Most Valuable Player of the state playoffs.

“If there’s a weakness in his game, it might be his jumper,” Burris said. “AP is a little inconsistent with his three-ball but is capable of hitting it. He will only get better because he works hard and is a super kid. We beat a lot of big-name JUCO’s (junior colleges) out for him.”