Illinois Central duo find new homes
Billy Baptist and Wendell Mardis ended their recruitment recently when they both signed on with D1 programs for next season. Baptist has signed with Illinois-Chicago and Mardis with Alabama State.
Baptist, (SO) 6-foot-5 from Kankakee, IL will have three years left to play for the UIC Flames.
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"Billy is an athletic player reminiscent of Armond Williams," said UIC Head coach Jimmy Collins. "He can play the two, three or four spot for us."
Billy recently played in the NJCAA All Star game in Kilgore, TX. He averaged 12 ppg and 7.3 rebounds while receiving Region 24 Player of the Year honors this season. Illinois Central finished the year at 29-4.
Mardis, (SO) 6-foot-0 (166) from Terre Haute, IN. Mardis played his freshman season at Southeastern Illinois College where he averaged 8.7 ppg.
"Wendell really liked assistant coach Sewell. They have been recruiting Wendell since January," said assistant coach Fred Dixon.
Wendell averaged 10.3 ppg and shot 45% (46-102) from three-point range this season. Mardis visited Long Beach State back in the fall.