East Mississippi Community College men’s basketball coach Billy Begley has seen Donte Powers grow more in two years than any other player Begley has coached in Scooba.
The Starkville High School product came to EMCC in July 2018 standing 6-foot-2 and weighing just 160 pounds. During his freshman season, he averaged 5.5 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.
But by his sophomore season, Powers had gained 15 points, had improved his scoring mark to 13.2 points per contest and had become the Lions’ leader in a 16-9 season.
“I put in the work,” Powers said.
On Wednesday, that work was rewarded when Powers signed to play basketball for NCAA Division I program Sam Houston State.
“It wasn’t a surprise to me that I was going D-I because it’s what I worked for,” Powers said.
Powers, who said he saw improvement in his scoring ability and his feel for the game in his two seasons with the Lions, said the best part of his game is his ability to create off the dribble. But both he and Begley pointed out Powers’ skill on the other end of the floor as well.
“He can really defend the ball,” Begley said. “He’s gonna really take pride defensively.”
The coach also noted that Powers is adept at making the extra pass, getting in the lane and knocking down shots. Couple that with a well-developed work ethic, and the Bearkats will get a solid player to add to their roster.
“He’s consistent with his effort every day,” Begley said of Powers. “You know what you’re gonna get.”
What Sam Houston State will get is a player who Begley said has been somewhat “overlooked” through his career in high school and college. Powers felt the same, but for him, it was just “fuel to the fire.”
“It made me want to work even harder in my craft,” Powers said.
So he did, working to earn several Division I offers — exactly what he planned on when he picked EMCC out of high school.
“JUCO really developed my game,” Powers said. “I’m really glad I went JUCO.”
On Wednesday, he officially chose Sam Houston State over Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Texas State. The Bearkats have what Powers called a “gritty” style of play, and Powers said he’s a gritty person and player by nature. Thus the match was made.
Powers will join former New Hope High School standout Terryonte Thomas in Huntsville, Texas, after the two played together with the Lions last season.
“He taught me a lot,” Powers said. “I’m looking forward to getting better with him and hopefully winning a championship.”
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
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