(MSUB Athletics release)
BILLINGS – With only three guards on the Montana State University billings men’s basketball roster, head coach Mick Durham has added a fourth with the addition of Tanner Clark out of Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, Wash. A Bellingham native, the 6-foot guard is the second backcourt player added this spring along with Livingston’s Jakim Ricketts.
“Tanner adds some much needed experience and depth at the point guard spot,” Durham said of the signing. ”His outstanding assist and rebound numbers show that he has a great feel for the game. He’s a tough kid that wanted a chance to play in the GNAC.”
Clark started 25 of 27 games as a sophomore while averaging 9.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists on the 13-15 Orcas. The guard shot 43.5 percent from the floor and 86.3 percent from the free throw line. He scored a season-high 28 points in a game against Edmonds Community College in which he shot 63.2 percent from the floor and made 4-of-5 3-pointers.
Finishing the season with a 1.8 assist-to-turnover ratio, Clark recorded a season-high 10 assist in a game against Green River. He only turned the ball over once in that game and recorded nine games with no more than one turnover. He had a pair of double-doubles with points and rebounds including a 10 point, 12 rebound outing against Clackamas. Clark also displayed his durability as he played 32.7 minutes per game while missing just one contest.
“I am excited for the opportunity to continue my basketball career at the Division II level with MSUB,” Clark said of joining the Yellowjackets. “I’m looking forward to moving to a new place and continuing to grow as a basketball player and a person. I’ve always liked Montana and can’t wait to get over to Billings.”
A graduate of Sehome High School in Bellingham, Clark finished his career with the Mariners second all-time in career assists. He was a two-time captain in high school and twice selected second team all-conference. He won three letters for basketball and one for football where he played cornerback.
Durham also added guard Sammy Legleu on Wednesday. Hailing from Nogales, Ariz., Legleu is a 6-foot point guard who scored more than 1,200 points at Nogales High School.
“We are excited to have Sammy join our program,” coach Durham said of the recruit. ”I wanted to bring in a high school point guard to be a four-year program guy that will develop in our system. He brings energy and leadership and he is a fantastic student with a 4.2 GPA. Sammy is a determined young man who shoots the ball extremely well and loves to be in the gym.”
Legleu helped lead the Nogales High Apaches to the 2018 state championship tournament where they fell to No. 2 seed Buckeye Union High School in overtime 88-82. The guard scored a career-high 42 points in that game and finished the year averaging 21.4 points per game.
He finished his prep career as a two-time first team all-region selection and was named the offensive player of the year for the region following his senior season. He amassed 231 career rebounds and 118 steals over the four seasons in which he earned three letters for basketball. Legleu served as a team captain during each of his final two seasons with the Apaches.
Legleu was also a member of Nogales’ 2018 state championship baseball team where he played first base and outfield. He hit a pinch-hit RBI single to secure a walk-off win for the Apaches in the state semi-finals advancing his team to the state championship game where they won 3-2.
An outstanding student as well, Leglue was named to the Principal’s List all four years at Nogales High School for maintaining a GPA above 3.9.
Legleu is the seventh addition so far for the Yellowjackets as Coach Durham has revamped the roster in recent weeks. He will join freshman guard Jakim Ricketts and junior Tanner Clark in a backcourt led by returners Kobe Terashima and Tyler Green.
