STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State University men’s basketball program added a local talent Monday its coaches hope can make an immediate impact next season.
East Mississippi Community College men’s basketball coach Mark White confirmed to The Dispatch on Monday evening forward Colin Borchert signed with new MSU coach Rick Ray.
Coming out of high school in Arizona, Borchert had offers from the University of Southern California, the University of Kentucky, the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Nebraska, and the University of Nevada at Las Vegas as a three-star recruit, but he had to go to junior college to qualify as a Division I college basketball player.
Before visiting MSU last weekend, Borchert toured Georgetown University, Xavier University, and the University of South Alabama this past month.
“(MSU) was just the perfect fit for me,” Borchert said. “I actually committed to them last week, but I signed today. They needed a change in leadership and direction and coach Ray is bringing a new attitude to MSU. He wants hustle and toughness more then anything else, and that’s what I can provide.”
Borchert can provide scoring ability at small or power forward. He averaged 15.3 points and 7.7 rebounds last season and was named a third-team National Junior College Association All-American.
“He is a really skilled big man, and that’s something everybody will see from day one with Colin,” White said. “He has the ability to step out and hit the 3-pointer consistently and made more from beyond the arc than anybody else on our team. That’s the skill that impressed coach Ray the most.”
Borchert knows after talking with the MSU coaches this past weekend his best asset will be his versatility. That trait will be crucial as the Bulldogs will have an inexperienced frontcourt for the 2012-13 season.
“At the (small forward), I am going to step out and shoot the long three,” Borchert said. “With my size and quickness, I will be tough for a three to guard. I don’t think most will be able to.”
However, White has tried to get Borchert to bang on the low block. He said it is something Borchert is developing. Borchert’s ability to rebound and to defend the low block will help him play consistent minutes at power forward next season.
“We were real pleased he did that low-post work for us this year, and it’s something we would talk about with Division I coaches is his unbelievable body type,” White said. “He can put weight and strength on, but he got sick and lost about 12-15 pounds before our season started. The plan for him is go straight from EMCC to their place for the summer to work with their strength program. He won’t be going home to Phoenix.”
Borchert joins point guard Jacoby Davis and shooting guard Andre Applewhite as players Ray has signed in the past two weeks. All three are expected to enroll at MSU this summer and should be available to play extended minutes next season.
“I got a chance to bond with them,” Borchert said. “One of our point guards and myself became very close friends. I am very excited to join them. I know I will face competition every single night. I will be out there and perform every single night and play against Florida, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt. That’s an awesome feeling.”
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