The UNM men's basketball team is rebuilding under head coach Ritchie McKay after a month of turmoil by adding another player on Tuesday.
McKay announced that the Lobos have signed junior college forward Shelton Colwell to a national letter of intent. He is the second signing for UNM in a week after Javin Tindall transferred to the University April 16. UNM has one scholarship remaining and the late signing period ends May 15.
Colwell is a 6-foot, 7-inch, 215 pound Division II junior college All-American from Des Moines Area Community College in Boone, Iowa. He averaged a double-double in his two-year career at Des Moines, scoring 17.5 points and grabbing 11.1 rebounds a game.
"Securing a player of Shelton's ability is comforting to our staff," McKay said in a University statement. "Hopefully, Shelton will have the type of career we think he can have at UNM. Even more important is having a commitment from a person of character that Shelton represents. It excites me to be furthering the future of our family and our program."
Colwell should help toughen the Lobos interior defense. He set a school record with 121 blocked shots last year and has 231 for his career. He helped the Bears to a 31-6 record and a fourth place finish in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II national tournament. He averaged 26 points per game in postseason play and earned an all-tournament team selection.
He has already met the Lobos' other recruit, Tindall, although it was not a good visit for Colwell. Tindall and his Redlands Community College teammates defeated Des Moines and ended Colwell's season in the tournament.
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Colwell's success is impressive considering that he did not play basketball in high school, but did play two years of football as a wide receiver.
Staff Report
