EMCC hoopster David McFarland signs with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

SCOOBA – East Mississippi Community College's David McFarland will continue his college basketball career at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.  The sophomore guard signed his National Letter of Intent during a Tuesday afternoon signing event on the EMCC campus.

A two-year standout for head coach Billy Begley, McFarland led the EMCC Lions in scoring (17.3 ppg) and rebounding (6.2 rpg) this past season as the lone team member to start all 21 games.  The Raymond High School product also shot 49 percent overall from the field, 40 percent from three-point range, including a team-high 52 made 3-pointers, and 77 percent from the free throw line.

"SIUE is a pretty good fit for me," McFarland noted.  "The coaches there believe I can be a good centerpiece and help take the program to the next level."   

With nine 20-point outings and three double-doubles as a sophomore, McFarland was tabbed MACJC Men's Basketball Player of the Week during the second week of the 2016-17 hoops campaign after scoring a career-high 30 points (10-of-19 FGs & 8-of-8 FTs) and grabbing 10 rebounds against Wallace Community College-Selma on Nov. 7.  The 6-foot-4, 180-pound performer also recorded double-doubles against Faith Prep Academy (17 pts & 10 rebs) and Wallace State Community College-Hanceville (25/11).

"We are excited to have David join our 2017 recruiting class.  We're adding a high character individual with a strong work ethic," said SIUE head men's basketball coach Jon Harris.  "David is committed to his development both on the court and in the classroom, while his day-to-day approach will be a great addition to our locker room.  His length and athleticism give him good versatility on both ends of the floor."     

As a freshman reserve on the Lions' 2015-16 NJCAA Tournament team, McFarland averaged 6.2 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting 49 percent from the field and 78 percent from the charity stripe.

During his 48-game EMCC playing career, including 26 starts, McFarland connected on 49 percent of his field goal attempts and 77 percent of his free throws.

"SIUE is getting a very hard worker who will take care of business on and off the basketball court." EMCC's Begley said.  "He is a focused, determined player who should help them as a wing scorer and through his leadership."  

Prior to his playing days on the Scooba campus, McFarland was a member of Raymond High School's 2013-14 MHSAA Class 4A state championship runner-up team.  The Edwards native averaged 13.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest for the RHS Rangers as a prep senior.

The SIUE Cougars compete in the Ohio Valley Conference.