Bogan done at Southeast, will play at Shawnee

Will Bogan's basketball career at Southeast Missouri State is over after just one season.

Shawnee (Ill.) Community College coach John Sparks said Wednesday that Bogan recently signed a letter of intent with the Saints.

"Will Bogan is a Shawnee Saint," Sparks said.

Told of Sparks' comment, Southeast coach Scott Edgar acknowledged Wednesday that Bogan is no longer part of the Southeast basketball program.

"Will has unlimited potential and hopefully he will realize that potential in the future," Edgar said. "We wish Will nothing but the best."

Bogan, a 6-foot-10 center out of Bell City High School, had a solid freshman season at Southeast in 2007-08.

But it was announced in May that Bogan would not be academically eligible to play for the Redhawks during the first semester of the 2008-09 campaign.

Bogan could have regained his eligibility for the second semester by performing well enough in the classroom during the first semester.

Sources told the Southeast Missourian that Bogan did not have his scholarship renewed by the Redhawks earlier this summer. Edgar neither would confirm nor deny that.

Junior college letters of intent are non-binding, meaning Bogan still could change his mind and attend a different school.

But Sparks said he believes Bogan is committed fully to attending Shawnee, a Division II junior college program that went 11-19 last season.

"He's pretty much locked in," Sparks said. "He came over here and took some classes, and he's been training over here."

Bogan could not be reached for comment, but his high school coach said he spoke with Bogan and Bogan seemed set on playing for the Saints.

"Will said he's definitely going to Shawnee," Bell City coach Brian Brandtner said.

Sparks said Bogan is good friends with another Shawnee signee, Scott County Central product D.D. Gillespie, which led to Bogan looking into playing for the Saints.

"Him and D.D. are really tight," Sparks said. "I think that's how it all came about."

Sparks said he is excited about landing Bogan, who was regarded as among the state's top high school prospects coming out of Bell City.

Bogan averaged seven points and 3.7 rebounds per game for Southeast in 2007-08 while hitting a team-high 56.6 percent of his field-goal attempts. He made three starts and averaged 15.4 minutes.

Bogan, listed at 300 pounds last season, was Southeast's sixth-leading scorer and fourth-leading rebounder. Among returning players for 2008-09, he would have been the Redhawks' No. 3 scorer and No. 2 rebounder.

"He's dropped some weight and he's only going to get better. He's going to be really good in our league," Sparks said. "You don't get many guys like him. As good as he is now, he's still going to get a lot better, which is scary for our opponents."

Bogan could be recruited again by Southeast while he attends Shawnee and there is always the possibility that he could rejoin the Redhawks in the future.

But for now it appears Bogan's immediate future is with the Saints.

Still no word on Brock

Southeast officials still have not received word on the status of touted incoming freshman Martino Brock, whose eligibility is being reviewed by the NCAA.

Brock, a 6-5 wing player and Southeast's most heralded recruit for 2008-09, attended Nashville Christian Advancement Academy in 2007-08.

The NCAA in May added Nashville Christian Advancement Academy to a list of 51 schools from which it will not recognize diplomas.

Brock and Nashville Christian Advancement Academy's other basketball signees from this past season's team had to undergo case-by-case academic reviews before the NCAA determined their eligibility.

One of Brock's teammates last year at Nashville Christian Advancement Academy -- Austin Peay signee James Harris -- was ruled eligible earlier this week by the NCAA to play for the Govs this coming season.