(Editor’s note: MSUB Athletics release)
BILLINGS – Montana State University Billings men’s basketball has announced the signing of junior college transfer Ryan Perez for the 2019-20 season. Perez is a Petaluma, California native and played at Santa Rosa Junior College under coach Craig McMillan and is the third signing for MSUB head coach Mick Durham this off-season after additions of Chrishon Dixon (Billings, Montana) and Clarence Daniels (Columbia Heights, Minnesota).
Perez is a 6-foot-1 guard who started 31 games for the Bear Cubs as a sophomore. He averaged 14.1 points per game and shot 42.7-percent from the field (144-for-337). From the three-point line, Perez shot 39.0-percent and had 104 made three-pointers in 2018-19. Defensively, Perez led his team with 34 steals and grabbed 76 rebounds (11 offensive).
“Ryan fills a void on the perimeter for us with the losses of Seniors Sven Jeuschede and Zack Rollins,” said MSUB head coach Mick Durham. “Ryan comes from playing two years in a very good Santa Rosa Junior College program under Coach Craig McMillan and will be very prepared to step in and help us right away. Ryan shoots the three well and brings a lot of energy to the court when he plays.
Perez averaged 2.2 assists per game and finished with 67 total assists as a sophomore. In line with coach Durham’s point of emphasis last season, Perez had a positive assist to turnover ratio at 1.6. Santa Rosa Junior College went 23-7 in the CCCAA and lost only two games at home. Perez was one of only two players on the squad to start every game.
“Ryan is a very good player and an even better person,” said Santa Rosa Junior College head coach Craig McMillan. “He is really excited about attending Montana State Billings and playing for coach Durham.”
Perez scored 29 points against Feather River on December 15 to help the Bear Cubs win 72-70. He made a season high eight 3-pointers in a game against Cabrillo on November 18.
The Yellowjackets finished above .500 last season and qualified for the Great Northwest Athletic Conference post-season tournament in Durham’s first season as head coach. The team lost three seniors to graduation but will retain accomplished starters Brendan Howard, Tyler Green, and Melvin Newbern Jr. in 2019-20.
