The Pearl River Community College men’s basketball team in recent years has established a tradition of excellence, and that tradition played a big role in Tre Dismuke’s college decision.
“Pearl River has a long history of getting guys to the next level, and they’ve won four out of the last six MACCC championships, so those were obvious reasons to go,” Dismuke said.
The Columbus High School point guard made it official on Wednesday, announcing he has committed to play basketball for the Wildcats.
Pearl River has won three NJCAA Region 23 titles during the past four years, including this past season, when the Wildcats went 24-4 and cruised to a 14-0 MACCC record. They were surprised by East Mississippi in the MACCC Tournament but rebounded to beat Meridian 69-57 in the Region 23 final.
But the on-court success was not the only attraction for Dismuke.
“The campus, compared to the other junior colleges around Mississippi, the ones that I’ve seen at least, it’s a nice campus,” he said. “It’s really well kept, new dorms for athletes, a lot of things that make you want to go there.”
Columbus coach Phillip Morris saw the potential college player in Dismuke almost immediately.
“When he was a freshman, we kind of talked about that: This is what you’ve got to do, this is the work you’ve got to put in to get to the next level,” Morris recalled. “He was all for it.”
Morris said that, despite his college-level talent, Dismuke’s best attribute is internal.
“I think drive is the biggest thing,” Morris said. “Most kids want to play at the next level, whether it’s on scholarship, walk-on, whatever, but it was more of a passion for him.
“He worked hard every day, always wanting to get in the gym. He works out here, he works out at TNT, the YMCA, wherever it is.
He’s always trying to get better, not only in the gym, but in the classroom.
”He’s been a great kid, on and off the court, starting in ninth grade.”
Asked what he will bring to the Pearl River basketball team, Dismuke was ready with an answer.
“I bring a strong point guard who can get everybody else the ball but can also score,” he said. “On the defensive end, I can lock up the other team’s best player.
“I can do a lot of things to help my team win.”
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