SportsAugust 21, 2012
Former Southeast Missouri State men's basketball player Powell signs to play overseas
Former Southeast Missouri State basketball standout Leon Powell is beginning his professional career overseas. Powell signed a contract over the weekend with AB Contern in Luxembourg. The forward led the Ohio Valley Conference in field-goal percentage the past two years. He was the Redhawks' third-leading scorer at 10.6 points per game and second-leading rebounder at 7.1 boards per contest while recording a team-high 42 blocks last season...
Former Southeast Missouri State basketball standout Leon Powell is beginning his professional career overseas.
Powell signed a contract over the weekend with AB Contern in Luxembourg.
The forward led the Ohio Valley Conference in field-goal percentage the past two years. He was the Redhawks' third-leading scorer at 10.6 points per game and second-leading rebounder at 7.1 boards per contest while recording a team-high 42 blocks last season.
Powell, who came to Southeast from junior college, was a second-team all-OVC selection during the 2010-11 campaign.
"I'm most proud of Leon," Southeast coach Dickey Nutt said. "This is a great opportunity for him. It's been a dream his entire life. We stayed on Leon about getting his degree before he pursued his professional career, and he did.
"What makes Leon special is his character. He chose us to help get our program going. He could have gone a lot of places, but he came here. We wish him nothing but the best."
Waiting on Reese
Nutt still is awaiting word from the NCAA Clearinghouse on the status of freshman point guard C.J. Reese.
Fall semester classes began Monday at Southeast. Reese is not on campus because he has not yet been approved academically by the NCAA Clearinghouse.
Nutt said he feels good that things still will work out for Reese with the Redhawks this season.
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"We're anxious to get an answer soon," Nutt said. "This is normal. Many kids across the country are waiting on the NCAA Clearinghouse. We're optimistic. We're counting on him."
Reese, who played high school basketball in Chattanooga, Tenn., is the most touted among Southeast's three freshmen for this season.
The other two, combo guard Jared White and 6-foot-10 center Colin Ferguson -- both from De Soto (Mo.) High School -- have qualified academically and are on campus.
Nutt said the same goes for touted junior college transfer guard/forward Anthony Jones.
Jones attended Southeast last year but could not practice with the team and had to pay his own way until he met his one-year residency requirement to become eligible.
"They're all here and ready to go," Nutt said. "I'm proud of A.J. [Jones]. He did what he needed to do, and he'll be a big part of our program."
Bygate not eligible
The Southeast women's basketball program will not have one of its six incoming recruits.
Forward Jessica Bygate, a transfer from Moberly (Mo.) Area Community College, did not meet academic requirements and won't attend Southeast.
The Redhawks' other five first-year players, four freshmen and a junior college transfer, all are on campus.
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