FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Monday, May 16, 2016 Stevens signs London native Hafeez Abdul for 2016-17 season
Hafeez Abdul, a London, England native who spent last year at Little Big Horn College, will join the Yellowjacket men’s basketball team for the 2016-17 season. BILLINGS, Mont. – Adding a third recruit for the 2016-17 season, Montana State University Billings men’s basketball head coach Jamie Stevens announced the signing of London, England native Hafeez Abdul on Monday. Abdul attended Little Big Horn College in Crow Agency, Mont., this year, and will enter the Yellowjackets’ program next season as a sophomore. “We are excited about adding Hafeez as the last student-athlete of our 2016 recruiting class,” said Stevens. “He is an extremely versatile player who will be able to play multiple positions on offense, and has the ability to guard several positions.” This season at LBHC, Abdul averaged 24.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. He shot 37.5 percent from the field and 30.9 percent from long distance as a true freshman, while also contributing 1.2 assists per game. Abdul started 22 games and averaged 27 minutes, and also had 41 steals on the season.
“His individual stats from his only year in junior college show what kind of talent he can be,” Stevens commented. “As Hafeez spends more time in the gym, he has a chance to become a very good player at this level. We are also excited that Hafeez will have three years to play here. He is a very good student, and will represent our program and university very well.” Abdul holds a 3.4 grade point average while studying elementary education, and has aspirations to pursue a coaching career after college. Abdul is a 6-foot-7 forward who attended Charnwood Academy in England prior to his collegiate career. His personal bests include double-doubles with 39 points and 16 rebounds, and 38 points and 10 rebounds, and a 20-20 game with 22 points and 20 rebounds as a prep player. “The biggest reason I wanted to sign with MSUB was that their culture is to always achieve more,” Abdul said. “This attitude has been instilled in the players who are all about working hard, getting better, and winning games. This is a culture that I can’t wait to be a part of.” Abdul joins Sacramento, Calif., natives Ryan Chappell and Raphael Durr V as the three letter of intent signings for the Yellowjackets for next season. MSUB finished the 2015-16 season with an overall record of 11-17, and placed eighth in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference with a league record of 8-12. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--