Five MDC Men’s Basketball Players Receive Athletic Scholarships
A quintet of sophomores on the Miami Dade College men’s basketball team received athletic scholarships following the 2019-20 season.
Forward Gus Okafor will go to Southeastern Louisiana University, wing Elton Walker to Austin Peay State University, wing Randy Rickards to Wilmington University, wing Marques Watson to Manhattan College and forward/wing Jordan White to the University of Fort Lauderdale.
Okafor, who averaged eight rebounds and 12.6 points per game last season, was named to the Florida College System Activities Association First-Team All-Southern Conference. He was one of the best players on the team, ranking second in points (364) and rebounds (232).
“I had a great time at Miami Dade [College]. I will miss my coaches and teammates,” Okafor said. “[MDC] prepared me mentally to help me succeed at the next level.”
Watson, who is originally from Brooklyn, New York, will be returning to his hometown to play at Manhattan College. Sharks head basketball coach Kevin Ledoux described him as a versatile player with good defensive skills. Watson averaged 9.8 points and 2.7 assists per game for the Sharks last season.
Rickards averaged 11 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He ranked second in steals (41) on the team and fourth in points (307).
Walker, who received no offers after graduating from Miami Killian Senior High School in 2018, saw MDC as an opportunity to boost his career. As the only returning player on last year’s squad, he finished his tenure at MDC with 692 points, 349 rebounds and 82 steals in two seasons.
“I had to really work hard to get to the next level,” Walker said. “I would tell any other athletes in my situation that they should be grateful for any opportunity they get and make the most of it. Miami Dade gave me that opportunity.”
Watson, Rickards and Walker were named to the Second-Team All-Southern Conference.
White was the last player to receive a scholarship. He averaged two rebounds and 4.5 points per game last year in limited action time.
“We are happy to have helped five young men move on and continue playing the game they love,” Ledoux said.
