Murray State Men's Basketball Coach Billy Kennedy announced the signing of A.J. Wilson of Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Col.
The native of St. Paul, Minn., is a 6-6 215 forward who played the last two seasons for the Plainsmen which included a 22-11 record in the 2008-09 season.
“We were looking for someone who could score and add an athletic presence around the basket,” Kennedy said. “A.J. has a chance to be a special player for us.”
Wilson scored 16.0 points per game, grabbed 7.2 rebounds per game, and dished out 1.3 assists per game at Northeastern last season.
He shot 63 percent from the field (best on the team), 32 percent from three-point range, and 69 percent from the free throw line.
“His ability to score is something that attracted us,” Kennedy said. “He's also capable of making the three-pointer and he can block shots.”
His coach at Northeastern was Eddie Trenkle.
“A.J. is very athletic, strong, and a combo forward-guard type player,” Trenkle said. “He was good on the block for us and has the ability to step out and shoot. He also brought the ball up the court for us a lot this past season. The big thing for him is he's a good kid and tries to please his coach and do everything right.”
Wilson recorded nine 30-point games and a 17 rebound game at NJC and was a two-time NJCAA All-Region 9 regular season and tournament selection.
He competed at Mt. Zion Christian Academy in Durham, N.C. in the 2005-06 season with current Racer Danero Thomas.
Wilson played at Saint Bernard's High School and Concordia Academy High School where he was named All-Minnesota Third Team after the 2004-05 season. He was also a Minnesota Mr. Basketball finalist.
“A.J. has the chance to be special,” Brian Sandifer, Wilson's AAU coach said. “In the last year and a half he's realized that this is what he wants to do and he's putting forth the effort to get the job done.”
Sandifer commented on Wilson's versatility, “A.J. can play the one through the four, he shoots the ball well from the outside, but prefers to play inside. He's very well rounded and plays like he's 6-9.”
Wilson joins the Racers with two seasons to play and adds to an already talented 2009-10 signing class for MSU.
He will join freshmen Isaiah Canaan (Biloxi HS), a 5-11 guard from Biloxi, Miss., Edward Daniel (Woodlawn HS), a 6-7 forward from Birmingham, Ala., and Colin Slotter (North Cobb HS), a 6-5 forward from Kennesaw, Ga. on the MSU roster in the fall.
