OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Johnson County Community College Jaland Whitehead will be taking his game next year to the East Coast next season. The sophomore forward from Grand Rapids, Mich., signed a national letter-of-intent with Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C. He will play for coach Cliff Ellis who is in his 15th season with the Chanticleers.
"We are really proud of the work Jaland has done to earn this scholarship," JCCC head coach Rand Chappell said. "Coastal is an excellent program where he will be able to continue his growth. They have a great coaching staff and I know Jaland really enjoyed them as well as his future teammates."
Last season for the Cavaliers, Whitehead averaged 14.0 points and 11.4 rebounds, becoming just the 10th player in program history and first since 2000-01 to average double figures in points and rebounds. He scored in double figures 15 times, had 16 games of 10+ rebounds and had 13 double-doubles.
Whitehead was selected to the NJCAA Division II All-America third-team, and he earned All-Kansas Jayhawk Conference D-II first-team and All-Region 6/Plains District first-team. He was also selected the conference's Defensive Player of the Year.
Through six games this season, Whitehead is averaging 10.3 points, 10.8 rebounds and he is shooting 45.2 percent from the field. He has topped double digits in points and rebounds four times and has four double-doubles.
Elllis said in a press release that they are excited to add Jaland to their basketball family.
"He is a skilled forward that can score the ball down low and can also step out and shoot the three at a high percentage," Ellis said. Jaland is an exceptional rebounder who has a nose for the ball and pursues it ever time. Not only is Jaland a very good player but he is a super young man with a great personality as well. He is just a really good fit for our program."