HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Wallace State’s men’s basketball team celebrated three players this week as Demarkus Lampley, Zion Williams and Mike Johnson each signed letters of intent with four-year programs.
Lampley, who became only the third player in Wallace State men’s basketball history to be selected as a NJCAA Division I 1st-team All-American, is headed to Sam Houston State in Huntsville, Texas.
Zion Williams signed with the University of Missouri – Kansas City Kangaroos after one successful season with Wallace State, and Mike Johnson has joined Bryan College in Tennessee.
All three players made significant contributions this past season as Wallace State finished with a 24-7 record and won the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) North Division championship.
“Demarkus and Mike Johnson have meant a lot to our program over the past two seasons. They are tremendous people and set the foundation for what we hope to continue here. They’ll both achieve big things in life. They’re a testament as to how to do things successfully for two seasons,” said Wallace State coach John Meeks. “Zion Williams was with us for one season, but played like a returner. He was another leader for us and garnered respect and interest from many programs. He’s a quick learner and a great person.”
Lampley, a 6-foot-2 guard from Central High School in Phenix City, averaged 26.6 points and six rebounds per game for Wallace State during the 2018-2019 season, leading the Alabama Community College Conference in scoring. He also shot 42.5 percent from behind the 3-point line and a league-best 89.9 percent from the charity stripe.
In addition to being selected as a NJCAA 1st-team All-American, Lampley was also named the 2019 ACCC/Region 22 Player of the Year, the ACCC North Division Player of the Year and was a first-team selection to both the All-ACCC North Division and All-Region 22 teams.
“I’ve been very blessed my two years here at Wallace State and I’ve learned a lot. I’m thankful a program like Sam Houston State believes in me, and I’m ready to go,” Lampley said. “It’s a great spot for me.”
Sam Houston State competes in the Southland Conference.
Williams, a 6-foot-5 guard from Maybrook, New York signed with the University of Missouri – Kansas City Kangaroos after averaging 7.6 points per game and dishing out 68 assists in his one season with the Lions.
“This is definitely a great opportunity and blessing for me. I’m excited to play at the next level. That’s always been a dream. I’m thankful for my teammates, coaching staff and friends here for supporting me,” Williams said. “I’ve learned here how to have the passion and desire to work through the good and bad in basketball and life.”
With Lampley signing with Sam Houston State and Williams with Missouri – Kansas City, Wallace State men’s basketball has now had at least one player sign with a Division I program for 15 consecutive years.
Johnson has inked with Bryan College, located in Dayton, Tennessee.
Johnson, an Acworth, Georgia native, was Wallace State’s second-leading scorer in 2018-2019, averaging 8.2 points per game. He was second on the team in 3-pointers made, shooting 41.7 percent from behind the 3-point arc.
“This is something I’ve been praying and hoping for since I’ve been at Wallace State. I’m very excited,” Johnson said. “I’ll cherish my two seasons here. I’ll never forget the camaraderie we shared and how we stuck together through the ups and downs. We remained close and that’s important.”
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit www.athletics.wallacestate.edu or the athletics Facebook page at www.wallacestate.edu/athleticsfb.
