STARKVILLE — In what many people sees will be a rebuilding project for Mississippi State University men’s basketball coach Rick Ray, the one quality he values the most in his newest signee is considered uncoachable.
Andre Applewhite is a winner at every level he’s been at.
“Winning and leading. I just find ways to win,” Applewhite said.”If it is the extra shot or the dive for the loose ball or extra rebound, I just do whatever it takes to win.”
MSU signed the 6-foot-5 wing player Thursday morning when he joined Jacoby Davis in the Bulldogs 2012 signing class that includes previous early signees in forward Gavin Ware of Starkville and guards Fred Thomas of Jackson and Craig Sword of Montgomery, Ala.
Applewhite, a Memphis, Tenn. native, helped lead Central High School to the 3A State title game his senior season. The talented guard / wing stands 6-foot-5 tall and 202 pounds. He averages 21.3 points per game to go with 11.1 rebounds during his senior campaign.
“I just like the whole atmosphere of being there and how fans and students were there greeting me like family,” said Applewhite. “Coach Ray and the staff were just real honest with me and it is real important to me to have another father figure while I’m away from home pushing me each and every day.”
Applewhite’s total record during his four-year high school career is 97-20 and included back-to-back All-State honors.
The Memphis product is fully aware of the transition the MSU program is currently in, but he sees this as an opportunity, not a deterrent.
“I look forward to putting my stamp on the program. I like challenges,” he stated. “I think that I will be able to do that.”
Applewhite chose MSU over Western Kentucky and Arkansas State. He’s rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and 247sports.com. He visited MSU on Tuesday.
“Mississippi State can expect a high energy guy throughout the game,” Applewhite said. “I’ll do whatever I need to win. If they need me to score, I’ll score. If they need me to rebound, I’ll go get the ball. If they need to me to defend, I will. I’m all about winning and having fun. If I score 20 points and we win, that’s great. If I don’t score and we win, that’s great too.”
En route to the championship tilt, he was tabbed Regional MVP and garnered All-Tournament team accolades. He was also named to the Commercial Appeal’s Best of the Prep and the Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State teams.
“Toughness is an attribute I covet the most and Andre Applewhite has it in groves,” Ray said. “I love the fact he’s a coach’s son. He comes from a great family, where doing the right things is important to them. I’m excited about the future of Andre and his continued development at Mississippi State because he’s a willing worker.”
As a freshman, sophomore and junior, Applewhite’s teams advanced to the regional semifinals before being eliminated in the playoffs. As a junior, he averaged 14.4 points and 5.1 boards and earned All-City honors. His sophomore season, he averaged 11.4 points and 4.2 rebounds as the Warriors were both the district regular-season and district tournament champions.
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