Alcorn State's Riley last-minute pitch lands Luckett

Alcorn State lands 4-Star Recruit in LeAntwan Luckett

Lorman, MS - LeAntwan Luckett admits he knows nothing about the glory days of Alcorn State basketball. "No clue," said the Dandy Dozen senior guard from Ridgeland High School. And he's also quick to point out Alcorn was nowhere on his recruiting radar just a month ago.

But just two weeks after Alcorn named Provine's Luther Riley as its coach, Luckett signed with the Braves on Wednesday. "I wanted to make a difference and bring something back to Alcorn and build the program with Coach Riley," said Luckett.

Luckett is rated the 77th best senior (and No. 20 shooting guard) in the country, according to rivals.com. Luckett said his final four choices were Alcorn, Mississippi State, Tennessee and TCU. A late-minute sales pitch from Riley swayed him.

Riley Signs Wendy's Heisman Luckett and More

ALCORN STATE, MS – Alcorn State head basketball coach Luther Riley had to start recruiting athletes to become players immediately after bring named new head coach and is proud of his first recruited class.

Riley announces the signing of five and one who will perform via an academic scholarship. Those signed on Wednesday to attend Alcorn State are LeAntwan Luckett of Madison County, Brandon Givens of Ellisville, Michael Willis of Nashville, TN, Jarvis Moore of Cleveland, MS, Anthony Evans of Greenville and Tyson Tufono of Jackson's Bailey Magnet H.S.

Luckett is a 6'4 combo guard who avenged 19.8 points and 9.7 rebounds his senior year while making the All State team. He is a four time All Madison County performer, two time All Metro who said, at his signing, that he is “BRAVE enough to make a difference at Alcorn State University.”

He is the son of Joe Luckett and Cynthia Clay and his coach was Roderick Davidson. “He is very athletic and can score from in and outside:” states Riley” “and he will make an immediate impact as we expect great things from him.”

Givens, a 6'-7" 220 pounder from Jones Junior College averaged 25.4 points and 9.2 rebounds the past season. Coached by Bubba Skelton, he was the MVP of the Junior College All Star Game, on the MS Junior College All Star team and a first team Mississippi Jr. College All American. Raised by his grandmother Littery Givens, Riley says that “he is a very good scorer and will come into this league and do well.”

Willis from Moorehead Jr. College stands 6'-8" and weighs 220 pounds. Averaging 12 points and 14 rebounds last season, Riley sees coach Derrick Fears player bringing fans out to home games. “He is a real athletic forward who will bring back excitement and energy to the reservation. He is a relentless player who competes night in and out.”

Moore, a 5'-11" 180 pound point guard, the son of Deborah and Aaron Moore, likes to be behind the steering wheel. “He is a fierce competitor who loves to run the show:” states Riley: “having the leadership abilities that breeds winning.” He was a Mississippi Jr. College All Star in 2011 and made the All Conference team.

Jarren Mallory Signs With Alcorn State



Luther Riley is transitioning from coaching high school basketball at Jackson's (Miss.) Provine high school to taking over Alcorn State University, a Division-1 program. On signing day, Riley made sure he brought in a  player he is familiar with. Jarren Mallory, a star at Provine high school is part of the first Riley recruiting class.  Playing for his former coach, is a major reason why Mallory chose Alcorn State.

"I don't know if I'm gonna be able to start, but I know I'm gonna get a lot of playing time. He knows what I can do, I know how he can coach and we're gonna be on the same page," Mallory said.  Riley and Mallory finished 2010-11 at 24-3.

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By Alcorn State University Office of Sports Information
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