Five men’s basketball players sign to transfer

Published or Revised May 14, 2013

Five members of the Paris Junior College men's basketball team have signed to continue their education and playing careers at four-year schools. "This is a proud day for me," said PJC basketball coach Chuck Taylor. "Anytime you have all your sophomores moving on with an opportunity to get a full scholarship, it says a lot about your program and what people outside of it think about your program when they come in and recruit your guys. Five of our six sophomores are graduating, and I'm very proud of the guys for that." Anthony Adams of Pontiac, Mich., has signed with Texas A&M University – Commerce. Winner of the PJC Carroll Dawson Award for basketball MVP, he was also named to the National Junior College Athletic Association All Region XIV Second Team as well as All Conference North Zone First Team. "Ant was our team MVP, and as he went, the team went," said Taylor. "He's been the rock and his having the opportunity to move forward and play at Commerce is great. They're getting a really good player, and I look forward to the opportunity to go down and see him in action. Most importantly, I think he'll have an opportunity to graduate in the next two years." Eddie Leal of Dallas, Texas, also signed with Texas A&M University – Commerce. He was named to the Region XIV All Conference North Zone Second Team. "Eddie was only in the program one year, but he's left his mark on Paris," said Taylor. "We'll forever remember him and be indebted to him. He's done a fantastic job here. Commerce is getting two fantastic players, they're different types of players but they're two really good players. The style of play at Commerce really fits Eddie, and I think Coach Walker and his staff did a phenomenal job in recruiting him. I look forward to seeing him and Ant play next year." Morris Mitchell of Atlanta, Ga., has signed to play for St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas. "Morris did a tremendous job for us this year," Taylor said. "He's really excited about St. Mary's, and I'm excited for him. I think he's going to have an opportunity to be an impact guy in that league. It's a very tough and physical league. I think St. Mary's has done very well, and he's walking into a dynamic situation. He had the most to do academically, and he surpassed all expectations and became a good college student." Mike Harmon, from Houston, Texas, has signed to play for Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla. He received All Conference North Zone Honorable Mention. "Mike is a really good shooter," said Taylor. "NSU will be a good fit for the type of player he is, and be really conducive to his shooting ability. Mike has grown a lot this year; grown up a lot, both on and off the court and in the classroom. He will be graduating, as well, and I think NSU is getting a very good player. They had another former PJC player, Zachary Jones, who's going to be finishing up this year and graduating. NSU, like Commerce and other schools, continues to come in and recruit our guys." Antonio Arnold, of McKinney, Texas, also received All Conference North Zone Honorable Mention. He has signed to play for Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Okla. "Antonio really had a breakout season for us, and he's going to OBU, a perennial NAIA power, Taylor said. "Just last year they were in the national championship game, and two years ago they won the national championship. He is going from one perennial power to another and has some big shoes to fill." "I can't say enough about this group," said Taylor. "They played one of the toughest schedules you could put together. Anytime you can play 10 nationally ranked teams and beat half of them, that says something about the players and the program that you have. I'm really looking forward to those guys moving forward."