MEN'S BASKETBALL

Lions Add Justin Wilkerson and Kevin Hayden

The men’s basketball coaching staff at Texas A&M University-Commerce announced today the signing of Justin Wilkerson and Kevin Hayden.

Wilkerson, a 6-9 forward, is a familiar face to local fans as he is a native of Greenville High School as well as for the last two years at Lone Star Conference member East Central University.

Out of high school, Wilkerson played under legendary Head Coach Bobby Knight at Texas Tech before transferring to East Central University. At East Central, last year, he nearly averaged a double double with 11.2 points and a team-best 9.8 rebounds a game. In conference games, he averaged a double double with 10.8 points and 12.3 rebounds a contest. He also led the team with 36 blocks and 26 steals and was second on the team in assists with 73 from his forward position.

As a sophomore, in 2007-08, Wilkerson averaged 10.4 points and 6.7 rebounds a contest and as a freshman at Texas Tech, he saw action in two games. Prior to college, he was a two-time all-state selection at Greenville High School.

Hayden, a 6-0 guard, comes to A&M-Commerce after spending his freshman season at the University of South Alabama and his sophomore year at Blinn College. At Blinn, last year, he averaged 9.5 points, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals a contest. He finished second in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage at a 45.6% clip.

Hayden attended H. Grady Spruce High School in Dallas, where he played for former Lion Lyndon Love. He averaged 20 points, four rebounds, six assists and three steals during his senior year and a McDonald’s All-American nominee as well as an all-state selection as a junior.

His father, Donnell played at the University of North Texas and his sister recently signed to play at Baylor University.

Wilkerson and Hayden join high school standouts Andrew Davis, Kyle Sandlin and Preston Whitley, who signed with A&M-Commerce earlier this year.