SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Montana State Signs Fresno's
Jermaine Walton--(May 7, 1999)

Jermaine Walton (6'-0" So. PG) from Porterville Community College in Porterville, California has signed a national letter-of-intent to join the Montana State basketball program, Bobcat coach Mick Durham announced this week. Walton, who weighs 165 lbs, averaged 10 points, six assists and three rebounds a game last season. He led Porterville to a 29-5 mark and a berth in the California State Junior College tournament. The Fresno native played in ‘98 with Montana State forward Rufus Nicholson at Porterville, and was an all-state selection this year. Walton played in high school at Bullard High in Fresno, and we'd look for him to be an immediate impact player at the point.

Here's what the official press release from Montana State's coach Mick Durham had to say:

“Jermaine is a true point guard who makes excellent decisions with the ball,” Durham said. “He had a six-to-two assist-to-turnover ratio last year, which is excellent for a point guard. He’s played on very good high school teams at Bullard High in Fresno and at Porterville. He’s very quick and explosive with the ball and will really fit our style of play.”

“Jermaine is the complete deal as a point guard,” said Porterville coach George Nessman. “He’s got a great handle, is a tough defender, can direct the team, he’s extraordinarily coachable. He’s a real program-type young man, and he’s a coaches player.”

According to Nessman, Walton will augment the Bobcats at both ends of the floor. “Jermaine can create shots for other players, he can really break down defenses. Mick (Durham) does a great job with shooters up there, but you need a player that can get the shooters the ball. Jermaine can really do that. He’s probably the quickest player in our league, and I think he brings (MSU) a different ingredient defensively. He’s just a real explosive athlete, and he does everything that’s needed of him.”

Montana State is also getting ready to take a trip to Australia with this year's current team and they will leave on May 15, and on the 16th will play the Cairn Marlins (ABA); here's the rest of the schedule: May 17 Townsville Heat (ABA); May 19 Rockhampton Rockets (ABA); May 20 Gold Coast Warriors (ABA); May 23 U. of South Queensland (ABA); May 25 Bankston Razorbacks (ABA); May 26 Newcastle; May 28 Penrith Panthers (ABA)

Walton joins 6-7 forward Alan Persinger of Kenosha, Wisc., as MSU’s spring signees.

 
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