When he began his college search, Jeffersonville senior Kegan Clark wanted to find a basketball coach who was just like his high school coach, Tim LaGrange.
Clark discovered that person in Wright State head men’s basketball coach Brad Brownell.
On Friday in the Jeffersonville High School library, Clark officially joined forces with the Raiders’ fourth-year coach, signing a national letter of intent to play hoops at the NCAA Division I school in Dayton, Ohio, next season. Clark inked his name in front of his family, teammates and coaches.
“He’s just like Coach LaGrange,” said the 6-foot-5 forward, who expects to be a shooting guard at Wright State. “He’s real humble. He always talks about playing better.”
In a statement on wsuraiders.com, Brownell said Clark will be a valuable asset on both ends of the floor for the Raiders.
“Kegan is a very good athlete who scores well in the open floor,” Brownell said. “I also expect Kegan to become one of the more versatile defenders in our program due to his size, strength and speed.”
LaGrange thinks that Brownell’s Indiana ties and personal values make him the right mentor for Clark.
Brownell graduated from Evansville Harrison High School, got his bachelor’s degree from DePauw in 1991 and his master’s degree at the University of Indianapolis in 1994. He was a graduate assistant coach at the University of Evansville during the 1991-92 season and then was an assistant for two seasons at Indianapolis.
“He’s a Midwestern guy. He’s very humble and he’s very genuine,” LaGrange said. “You just get a real sense of family and genuineness when you are around him, and I think that’s good for Kegan.
“The size of the school, the location of the school, the quality of the basketball — when you put it all together, it’s a home run.”
Brownell’s Wright State resume impressed Clark. Brownell has a 64-33 record in his tenure at the Raiders’ helm. In his first season (2006-07), he guided Wright State to its first Horizon League Tournament championship and an NCAA tournament berth.
Under Brownell’s guidance, the Raiders have registered an unprecedented three consecutive 20-win seasons. Brownell was named the Horizon League Co-Coach of the Year in 2008.
Another thing that attracted Clark to Wright State is the school’s $5 million Setzer Pavilion/Mills Morgan Center.
The facility serves as the basketball team’s practice facility. It has a gymnasium that is available to players 24 hours a day. Also, the facility has the coaches’ offices, a players’ lounge and film room.
“You can be there at 2 o’clock in the morning if you want to go shoot and work on your game,” Clark said. “They also have an athletic trainer you can work with at the facility. He can help you get your strength up.”
Now that his college choice is official, Clark is ready to get his senior season going at Jeff. The Red Devils have high expectations this season after posting an 18-5 record last year. Their goals include winning the Hoosier Hills Conference and the Class 4A Seymour Sectional.
“I wish it started today. I’m ready to go,” Clark said. “We plan on having a lot of tournament success.”
Clark County Sports
Clark finds right fit with Wright State, Brownell
Jeff senior signs letter of intent to play at D-I school next year
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