 Joey Atkinson III (front row, center) signs a letter of intent to play basketball at Hesston College. He is flanked on the left by his father, Joe Atkinson Jr., and on the right by his grandmother, Thelma J. Randles. In the back row are Hesston College assistant coach Brendan Danker (left) and coach Tim Swartzendruber. |
August 13, 2007
Hesston College men's basketball coach Tim Swartzendruber says he has signed the last recruit for the upcoming 2007-08 season.
He is Joey Atkinson III, a 6'6" forward from Edmond, Okla., who attended Santa Fe High School in Edmond, the same school as previous signee Carlton Dean, a 6'2" shooting guard.
During his senior year, Atkinson averaged 11.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 2.8 blocks per game. He led the team, which ended with a 14-11 overall record, in rebounding and blocked shots, and was second on his team in scoring.
"Joey is an extremely gifted athlete who should be able to step in and help us immediately," said Coach Swartzendruber. "He is also an excellent student and has strong character. I feel fortunate to have signed someone this late who is such a class person."
Atkinson is the son of Joe Atkinson Jr. and Dawn Atkinson. Joe Atkinson Jr. played at Oklahoma State from 1981-85 and with Portland Trailblazers for one season before playing overseas professionally for 10 years.
The Hesston College men's basketball team competes in Division II of the National Junior College Athletic Association.
Located in south central Kansas, Hesston College is the two-year liberal arts college owned by Mennonite Church USA.
Hesston College Men's Basketball