Kansas Wesleyan Men’s Basketball signs Melvin Underwood
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

Kansas Wesleyan coach Tommy DeSalme continues to build his basketball team for the 2007-08 season, announcing the signing of Melvin “Boosie” Underwood to a letter of intent.

Underwood spent the last two seasons at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, Iowa playing for coach Jason Vande Brake.

The 5-11 guard is a welcome addition to DeSalme’s 2008 recruiting class, which now totals 11 players.

“This is a tremendous signing for KWU Basketball,” DeSalme said. “Melvin is a very complete player. He is very competitive which makes him a perfect fit for our program.”

“He can really shoot and score the basketball, but my favorite thing about Melvin is his ability to defend the basketball.”

Underwood led Iowa Lakes in scoring last season, averaging 15.7 points per game, which was also seventh best in the Iowa Community College Conference. He also averaged 4.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He made 69 three pointers, and averaged 42 percent from behind the arc, third best in the ICCAC.

He was named First Team All-Region XI in the NJCAA.

“He is an All-Region player from a really good basketball area,” DeSalme said. “I believe once he learns our system he have a chance to be one of the better guards in the KCAC. I expect big things from Melvin.”

The Coyotes will open the 2007-08 season on November 2 at the USF Classic in Sioux Falls (S.D.) against the University of Sioux Falls.

-- KWU SI --