SIUE Adds Desmond Polk To Basketball Roster

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Published on May 13 2020 5:56 am
Last Updated on May 13 2020 5:57 am

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE men's basketball Head Coach Brian Barone has added freshman Desmond Polk (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) to his roster.

Polk is a 6-foot, 4-inch, guard who comes to SIUE from Link Year Prep in Branson, Missouri.

"I'm excited to become a part of SIUE men's basketball," Polk said. "I believe in what the program stands for and what is being built there. I'm excited to be a part of something special. I wanted to go somewhere where I was wanted and that's how SIUE made me feel from day one. They invested a lot of time in recruiting me. Coach Barone and his staff instilled the belief that they will help me grow as a player and a person."

During the 2019-20 season at Link Year, Polk averaged 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals per game.

"At 6-4, Desmond gives us very good size and athleticism as a guard," Barone said. "He has persevered over his high school career to have success and truly embodies our 'Find A Way' mentality"

"SIUE is getting a steal," Link Year Prep Head Coach Adam Donyes said. "He is every bit a high-major talent. If he continues to work he has the ability to be an All-OVC player in a few years."

Polk began his high school career in New Berlin West outside of Milwaukee, where he scored 593 points over his first two seasons. He spent his junior campaign at La Lumiere School in LaPorte, Indiana where he averaged eight points, four rebounds and two steals per game. The Lakers lost in the Championship game of the Geico High School Nationals.   

Polk trained at the Basketball Movement in Nixa, Missouri under fellow Milwaukee-native Coach Rob Yanders.

"He is a sensational kid," Yanders said. He is always wanting to get better and I believe his best is yet to come."

Link Year Prep is the same prep school which produced twin brothers Lamar and Shamar Wright, who completed their freshman year at SIUE this past season.

"Coach Barone is a high-character coach," Donyes added. "He now has three of mine (from Link Year Prep) and you don't complete Link Year Prep if you aren't high-character. Desmond fits what Barone is building at SIUE."

"He has put a lot of time into his game and has worked hard to get to where he is at," Barone continued on Polk. "He has a high ceiling with his athleticism and his ability to shoot the ball. Desmond has a nice balance between creating for others and the skill set to score on his own. I really like the potential Desmond has to be an outstanding defensive player because of his length and drive.  We are extremely excited to add Desmond to our team"

"Coach Barone showed me the love, fire and dedication that he puts into the program every day and I believe he will coach me that same way," Polk added.

"That's someone I want to play for. During recruiting he always told me that I could help to be the start of something very special. That said, I can't wait to be a part of the future of SIUE men's basketball!"