Three Roadrunners Sign to Play Division I Basketball

State Fair Community College Roadrunners basketball student-athletes Isaac Bassey, Grant Gelon and LePear Toles all announced their college choices on Nov. 10 in a ceremony at the Fred E. Davis Multipurpose Center. All three have signed Letters of Intent to attend Division I universities in fall 2018.

Bassey will attend the University of Illinois at Chicago. Gelon will continue at Missouri State University in Springfield, and Toles has decided to attend the University of Akron in Ohio.

“I am really happy for them,” said head coach Matt Brown. “I think it speaks volumes for the type of kids that we have in our program, not just as basketball players, but academically as well. The schools they’re going to are good academic schools."

Bassey has played in one game so far this season for SFCC. He averaged 4.1 points per contest as a freshman and pulled down 3.8 rebounds per game while playing in 28 games.

“UIC felt like home for me,” said Bassey. I feel that I can continue my development as a basketball player and continue my education as well."

Bassey plans to major in business management at UIC.

“He is a good defensive player who can rebound the basketball,” said Brown. “He will also bring leadership and toughness."

Gelon is averaging 14.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game so far this season and has made 100 percent of his free-throw attempts.

“I fell in love with Springfield and the campus,” said Gelon. “It just felt right. I am very happy with my decision and excited to be a Bear."

Gelon is undecided on a major but is leaning toward fish and wildlife management.
“Grant is someone who can shoot the basketball,” said Brown. “He can be a threat from the perimeter."

Toles leads the team in scoring at 17 points per game, averages a team-high six rebounds and dishes out two assists per game.

“Akron has a great education program, and I want to major in special education,” said Toles. “So it fits what I want to do after I graduate from college. Coach Groce and his staff really made it known that they wanted me. I wanted to be closer to home so that I can have the support of my family and friends. I’m thankful for everyone who’s helped me along the way. I’m thankful for Coach Brown, Coach Short and Coach Pannier and everyone here at State Fair."

Toles is already an academic qualifier, which will allow him to leave SFCC at the end of the academic year.

“LePear is a hard-nosed player who can drive to the basket,” said Brown. “He is still working on his jump shot. Akron will love his leadership and toughness."

More athletic news is available at sfccmoroadrunners.com.

--David Rohrbach, SFCC Athletics