University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Eagles Sign Mendenhall Standout
11/13/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Eagles Sign Mendenhall Standout
Hattiesburg, Miss. -- Head Coach James Green and his Golden Eagle basketball team added depth and youth on the first day of the fall signing period, with the addition of Mendenhall High School standout forward Emanuel Willis. He is the first signee for the Eagles, who expect to add at least one additional player.
A 6-7, 215-pound forward, Willis plays for Coach Ken Barron. He came within 1.7 blocks a game of averaging a triple-double as a junior, at 18.3 points a game, 13.0 rebounds, 8.3 blocks and 2.0 assists a game. He is the son of Wallace and Odessa Willis.
The newest Golden Eagle should be an early impact player for Green and the Eagles. "We're pleased to announce Emanuel Willis as a new member of the Southern Miss basketball family," Green said. "He is a big time athlete who can score, defend and rebound. He has great character and his impact on this program will be felt immediately."
Willis ranks as one of the highest-profile players Green and his staff have signed. SportingNews.com lists him as the 24th-ranked player in the southeast, while ESPN.com ranks him as the 96th-ranked player in the nation as well as a Top 20-ranked forward in the country.
He was named his team's Rookie-of-the-Year as a ninth grader, is a three-year letterman, was named to the Clarion-Ledger's Dandy Dozen in both 2000-01 and 2001-02, as well as being selected as a preseason all-state player heading into the 2002-03 season.