McGrews Stock on Rise; D-Is Taking Notice
D'Andre McGrew, the burly 6-3 swingman who nearly willed Cloud County C.C. of Concordia, Kan., into the Region VI title game last month, has several Division I programs pursuing him this spring.
According to Cloud County Head Coach Kevin Muff, McGrew is being looked at by Centenary, Georgia State, New Orleans, Texas Christian and Texas Pan American.
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A native of Salina, Kan., McGrew averaged 16.6 points per game in 2002-2003 for the Thunderbirds. He erupted for 28 points in a memorable quarterfinal round victory over Barton County last month at the Region VI Tournament.
McGrew excels at getting to the basket and either finishing or drawing fouls. While he carries some excess weight on his frame, he moves and handles nimbly enough to make things happen. He can also spot up from the wing for three pointers, but his bread and butter is going to the hole.
McGrew earned 175 shots from the free throw line, which was bad news for opponents, because he converted 81 percent of those attempts.
McGrew, who was a qualifier out of high school, plans on making a spring decision.
Two of his Cloud teammates -- 6-2 Darrell Freeman of Oviedo, Fla., and 6-6 power forward Martin deBoer of Lawrence, Kan., are also getting some looks this winter.
Freeman, a shooting guard, is active in transition and likes to attack the basket. He also showed the ability to shoot off the dribble and makes a lot of hustle plays that don't show up in the boxscore.
Muff said that Oral Roberts, Charleston Southern, Texas Pan American and D-II Indianapolis are taking a look at Freeman.
deBoer, a rugged 210 pound power forward, is being recruited by small colleges. Cameron, Kansas-Newman, Peru State and Missouri-Nazarene are among the programs in the mix with deBoer, who had some breakout games for the T-Birds in 2002-2003.
JUCO Junction will keep you posted on the Cloud sophs as signing date approaches. Stay tuned!