FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Wednesday, April 27, 2016 MSUB men’s hoops adds Raphael Durr for 2016-17 season
A high-school senior from Sacramento, Raphael Durr is the second to sign a letter of intent with the Yellowjackets for the 2016-17 season. BILLINGS, Mont. – Adding its second high-school recruit from Sacramento, Calif., the Montana State University Billings men’s basketball team introduced Raphael Durr as its latest letter of intent signing for the 2016-17 season on Wednesday. “We are really excited about Raphael joining our program,” said MSUB head coach Jamie Stevens. “We are adding another great piece that we feel is a great fit with what we have here. He played for one of the best high-school teams in California last year, and he is a kid who is used to winning.” Durr, a four-year star for Sacramento Charter High School under head coach Derek Swafford, is a skillful guard who will enter the program as a true freshman next year. “I made the decision to play basketball at MSUB because I could see growth and maturity,” Durr said. “Coaches who strive to create excellent ballplayers, teammates with the same desire to work towards the same goal, and how the city of Billings welcomed me are things I saw that mattered the most.”
Durr and the Dragons posted a stellar record of 30-2 last season, as he led the squad as a team captain and honorable-mention all-Metro League selection. In 2015, Durr was selected as the most valuable player of the St. Hope Tournament, as well as an honorable mention pick at the Clovis Tournament. Durr was also picked as the Student of the Week this year and has been on his school’s honor roll all four years of his prep career. Noted for his excellent court vision and ability to create shots around the basket, Durr has stood out on both sides of the ball as a solid offensive and defensive player. “His greatest strength is probably his ability to guard the basketball,” Stevens said on Durr. “He can pick guys up for 94 feet, and really disrupt offense with his ability to move his feet and uncanny knack at getting steals and being around the ball.” Durr and recent MSUB signing Ryan Chappell played together on the COS Elite in the Amateur Athletic Union, where Durr posted a personal best game of 32 points, four rebounds, seven assists, and five steals. “With Raphael and Ryan now on board, as well as our veteran guards returning, we feel like our backcourt will be very strong for years to come.” Stevens said. MSUB finished the 2015-16 season with a record of 11-17 overall and a mark of 8-12 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play for an eighth-place finish. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--