Glendora, CA(Men’s Basketball) -- Sophomores Kelly Johnson and Curtis Eatmon have become the first Citrus College Men’s Basketball players to sign scholarship offers during the 2008-2009 season. Johnson as signed on with California Baptist University, while Eatmon will continue on with Detroit University.
A five foot eleven inch, point guard out of Pomona, California, Johnson played an integral role for the Fighting Owls last season during their State Championship run. Johnson appeared in all 36 games during the 2007-2008 season, shooting 37.6% from the floor and dishing out a team high 105 assists.
So far this season, Johnson is averaging just over 4 assists per game, and picked up All-Tournament honors recently at the Knight’s Invitational.
“The Cal Baptist environment, student body, and coaching staff are all things that I wanted to put myself around as I continue my education and playing career,” Johnson said. “The Citrus program and staff have been a tremendous help to me, helping me grow as a person, and teaching me not only about basketball, but about life.”
“We are so proud of Kelly and the leader he has become. We are honored to go to battle with him,” Citrus College Head Men’s Basketball Coach Rick Croy said. “His competitive college record is 39-1. Cal Baptist is getting a winner and a big time leader.”
A transfer guard from the University of Utah, Eatmon is in his first season with the Fighting Owls. So far this season, Eeatmon has started all four games with Citrus, averaging 9.8 points per game in just over 20 minutes a game.
“I really like Detroit’s style of play, and their coach’s track record,” Eatmon said. “I know they will develop me as a player and mentor me as a man.”
“The Coaching staff here at Citrus has done a great job in enabling me to showcase my talent coming off an injury,” Eatmon said. “They’ve helped improve my game, and played a big role in assisting me with making this decision.”
“Detroit is getting a man of character and an exceptional basketball player,” Croy said. “I have been around few players that are as coachable as Curtis Eatmon. He is a person that you can win forever with - we will enjoy our opportunity to compete with him.”
You can catch Eatmon and the rest of the Fighting Owls twice at home this week, as they play host to Pasadena City College (ranked #9 in the State) and College of the Desert this Thursday and Friday. Both games are set to tip-off at 7:00 PM.