COLLEGE BASKETBALL : JUCO forward signs letter of intent with Razorbacks

BY RICHARD DAVENPORT

Posted on Saturday, May 17, 2008

URL: http://www.wholehogsports.com/adg/225979/

Texas Tech’s loss is Arkansas ’ gain.

Junior college small forward Montrell McDonald signed a national letter of intent Friday with the Razorbacks.

McDonald, 6-6, 185, took an official visit to Texas Tech on April 18-20 and orally committed shortly afterward, but Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey and his staff persuaded him to take an official visit to Arkansas on May 2-4 and swayed him to switch from the Red Raiders to the Razorbacks.

“I’m real comfortable with the coaching staff,” McDonald said. “The players welcomed me in, and I felt like everyone was cool and I felt the vibe and it just clicked. They want to win. I want to win.

“ It was the right decision for me and my family.”

McDonald, of Cowley County Community College in Kansas, was named to the Jayhawk All-Conference team while averaging 13. 4 points, 5. 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2. 1 blocks this past season. He helped the Tigers to the Region 6 championship game and a school record for victories with a 31-3 record.

McDonald is expected to provide maturity for a team that will feature six freshmen, one sophomore and four juniors on scholarship.

“They want me to be a leader and play hard and help them win,” he said. “I take pride in playing defense. I’m versatile and I pass the ball pretty well. I handle the ball well for my size.”

McDonald can play shooting guard and small forward and handles the ball well enough to play the point in a pinch.

Razorback assistant Isaac Brown was the lead recruiter of McDonald.

“Coach Brown is a great guy,” McDonald said. “He told how much they needed me. He’s been there for me.”

CBS College Sports national recruiting analyst Van Coleman believes Arkansas hit the jackpot with McDonald.

“He’s an explosive offensive talent,” Coleman said. “He can really slash to the hoop. He’s got great bounce, and he has an excellent midrange game and has the pullup shot.

“ We had him in the preseason top 15 nationally. He was a JC All-American. He’s got a great allaround game.”

McDonald is Arkansas’ sixth signee for the 2007-2008 recruiting class.