Eastern Michigan Athletics
Ballard Jr. Earns Basketball Scholarship
8/13/2020 9:47:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Southfield, Mich. native played a critical role in the victory over Buffalo last season
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Hard work and dedication has paid off for Eastern Michigan University men's basketball redshirt junior Derek Ballard Jr. (Southfield, Mich.-Southfield-Lathrup) as he earned a scholarship Head Coach Rob Murphy announced Aug. 6.
Murphy presented Ballard Jr. with a letter written by his daughter, Ryan, where she congratulated him on earning a full scholarship.
"God is the greatest," said Ballard Jr. "I want to thank Eastern Michigan Athletics, the men's basketball program, Rob Murphy, Matt Cline, and Kevin Mondro for believing in me and giving me an opportunity to continue to play the game I love."
The forward played in 18 games during the 2019-20 campaign averaging 4.1 minutes per contest off the bench. Ballard Jr. posted a clutch performance as the Eagles propelled past Buffalo, 66-62, Feb. 4. He seized every opportunity thrown at him as he scored five points (2-of-2 from the field), five rebounds, and one steal in just seven minutes of action.
Ballard Jr. earned 2019-20 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court accolades and notched a spot on the Academic All-MAC Team for academic excellence. The sport management major has also made the Dean's List three consecutive semesters.
Eastern Michigan finished the 2019-20 season with a 16-16 overall record and notched the Jersey Mike's Jamaica Classic title. Murphy will begin his 10th year at the helm of the program.
Murphy presented Ballard Jr. with a letter written by his daughter, Ryan, where she congratulated him on earning a full scholarship.
"God is the greatest," said Ballard Jr. "I want to thank Eastern Michigan Athletics, the men's basketball program, Rob Murphy, Matt Cline, and Kevin Mondro for believing in me and giving me an opportunity to continue to play the game I love."
The forward played in 18 games during the 2019-20 campaign averaging 4.1 minutes per contest off the bench. Ballard Jr. posted a clutch performance as the Eagles propelled past Buffalo, 66-62, Feb. 4. He seized every opportunity thrown at him as he scored five points (2-of-2 from the field), five rebounds, and one steal in just seven minutes of action.
Ballard Jr. earned 2019-20 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court accolades and notched a spot on the Academic All-MAC Team for academic excellence. The sport management major has also made the Dean's List three consecutive semesters.
Eastern Michigan finished the 2019-20 season with a 16-16 overall record and notched the Jersey Mike's Jamaica Classic title. Murphy will begin his 10th year at the helm of the program.
For more information on Eastern Michigan men's basketball, follow the team's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/EMU_MBB, by Facebook at Facebook.com/EMUMBB/, or on Instagram at Instagram.com/emumbb/.
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