April 10 , 2007

 6'9" FORWARD FROM BOOKER T. WASHINGTON H.S. (MEMPHIS) SIGNS WITH NEMCC

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--  Jerry Hampton, a 6’9”, 215 lb. forward from Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, Tenn. signed a letter of intent today with Northeast Mississippi Community College.

Hampton averaged 16.2 points per game, and shot 52% from the field during his senior season at Booker T. Washington for Coach Fred Horton.

“We’ve been after him all year,” said NEMCC head men’s basketball coach David Robbins. “He is our top recruit, and has been from the beginning. To land him on the second day of the signing period is a huge bonus for us.”

Hampton’s high school coach Fred Horton played at the University of Memphis from 1968-72’ for Coach Gene Bartow and says Hampton has the ability to take his basketball career to the highest levels. “Jerry is a diamond in the rough,” said Horton, “He is an excellent rebounder as well as a great scorer. He’s a 6’9” guy who can run the floor and shoot the three. Great things are in store if Jerry stays focused.”

After leading his Booker T. Washington team to a 23-7 record his junior season, he followed that by leading them to a 27-3 mark in 2006-07. Hampton’s efforts were rewarded with All-Division, All-Region, and All-Metro honors. “It feels good to sign with Northeast,” Hampton said. “I’m just glad to get to go to college and play basketball. I’ll have to get used to Booneville. The biggest thing will be to study hard and work hard so that I’ll be ready next season.”

Hampton’s mother, Lawana, is proud that her son will be playing relatively close to home for the next two years. “I’ll be there,” Lawana Hampton said, “at every game. It’s close to home. It’s only a couple hours away, which is much better than a five, six hour drive.”

Hampton is the first signee for Coach David Robbins class of 2007 at NEMCC.

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