(MSUB Athletics release)
BILLINGS – Head coach Mick Durham has added another transfer to the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackes’ 2018 class with the signing of Melvin Newbern Jr. from North Dakota State College of Science, a junior college in Wahpeton, N.D. Newbern is a 6-foot-4-inch forward originally from New Hope, Minn.
“Melvin was on two very good teams in North Dakota and was a major factor in their success,” Coach Durham said of the forward. “He makes his teammates better just by his approach to the game day-in and day-out. Melvin is the type of guy you want on your team. He’s an undersized 4-man who just knows how to play. His physical presence around the basket will be an asset to our team on both ends of the floor. I believe the area in Minnesota that Melvin is from could be a valuable resource in recruiting.”
Newbern comes to Billings after receiving a host of honors as a sophomore including third team Division I Junior College All-American, Region 13 Player of the Year and Mon-Dak Conference Most Valuable Player.
Newbern averaged 18.6 points per game while starting 27 games for the 26-7 squad. The forward shot 55 percent from the field and 82.4 percent from the free throw line as the teams’ second leading scorer. Newbern led the team with 10.3 rebounds per game and added 2.8 assists and a team-high 1.6 steals per game to his ledger.
Newbern was a three sport athlete at Robbinsdale Cooper High School in New Hope where he played basketball, football and baseball. He was a three-time all-conference section and was elected team captain his final two seasons with the Hawks’ basketball team.
Newbern is the second signing of Coach Durham inaugural class in Billings. The Yellowjackets also added Broadview’s Seth Christiaens in April.
