EIU Men's Basketball Adds Two Players

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Published on April 12 2018 6:42 am
Last Updated on April 12 2018 6:42 am

CHARLESTON – Eastern Illinois men’s basketball has added two players for the 2018-19 season with the signing of Cam Burrell and Josiah Wallace on the first day of the April signing period.

Burrell (6-7, 175) helped Morgan Park HS win back-to-back Illinois Class 3A State Championships as the forward averaged 17.7 points and 13.1 rebounds per game during his senior season.  Morgan Park posted a 25-9 record playing teams from across the nation with Burrell recording 29 double-doubles in 34 games.  He was named the Daily Southtown Player of the Year as a senior earning first team All-State honors from both the Champaign News Gazette and Associated Press.  During the State Championship weekend in Peoria, Burrell averaged 16.5 points and 9 rebounds in the two games while shooting 75 percent from the field.   Burrell connected on an amazing 71 percent from the field during the regular season.

“I think Cam’s numbers and accomplishments speak for themselves.  They reflect what a tenacious competitor and energetic player he is,” said EIU head coach Jay Spoonhour.  “He comes from a great program and has been coached at a high level by the Irvin’s.  I expect him to help us immediately.”

Wallace (6-4, 185) played last season at Olney Central College where the guard ranked 15th in the nation in scoring averaging 21.2 points per game.  He had 18 games with 20 or more points and five games with 30 or more points.  His season-high was a 39 point game against Elizabethtown College.  Wallace scored 37 points in his final game of the season in the NJCAA Regional Tournament.  He was named an Honorable Mention JUCO All-American while earning All-Region and All-Conference honors.  In addition to his scoring, Wallace averaged 6 rebounds and 4 assists per game.  He connected on 44 percent from 3-point range and 83 percent from the foul line.

“Josiah had a terrific season. He helped Olney to 21 wins.  His ability to score and create offense for his teammates are really outstanding,” said Spoonhour.  “I think he’s going to make an impact for us right away.”

Burrell and Wallace join a recruiting class that already includes junior college guards Kashawn Charles (Labette CC) and Shareef Smith (Highland CC) who each signed with EIU during the November signing period.  Charles averaged 15.9 points per game.  Smith averaged 13 points per game and was named the MVP of the Region 4 Tournament.