The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

After a lengthy recruiting process, Dwight Coleby has reached a decision on the final destination in his NCAA basketball career.

Coleby committed to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers as a graduate transfer and will become immediately eligible for the upcoming Fall 2017 campaign.

Hilltoppers head coach Rick Stansbury officially made the announcement and welcomed Coleby to the programme over the weekend.

“As we continue to look to add veteran leadership, we’re very excited to have Dwight join our program and family,” Stansbury said. “He brings invaluable experience to our frontcourt where it is much-needed following his two years at Ole Miss and his year playing at Kansas.”

Stansbury was previously linked to Coleby after he originally recruited him during his tenure at Mississippi State while Coleby attended the Piney Woods School in Mississippi.

A busy offseason for the Hilltoppers included signing JUCO star Jordan Brangers, Austin Peay transfer Jared Savage and has been highlighted by the highest rated incoming recruit in programme history, McDonald’s All-American and five-star prospect – Mitchell Robinson.

In his second-year at the helm in Western Kentucky, Stansbury beat out teams for Robinson, the four-star Brangers, three stars Josh Anderson, Taveion Hollingsworth and Chris Duarte. He also added Marek Nelson, a small forward from Sunrise Christian Academy who reclassified from the 2018 class.

Western Kentucky finished last season with a 15-17 record and lost in the second round of the Conference-USA tournament.

Coleby announced his intention to leave the Kansas Jayhawks following his graduation from the institution in Lawrence, Kansas in May.

The Hilltoppers beat out the VCU Rams, SMU, Stephen F Austin, Hampton, George Washington, DePaul and Seton Hall.

Last season a junior, Coleby averaged 1.7 points and 1.8 rebounds per game in his first season in a Jayhawks uniform.

He was already set to spend the 2015-16 season on the sidelines as a transfer but he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during a light team workout in October 2015 and had to undergo a grueling rehab process.

“We have truly enjoyed Dwight the past two years,” Jayhawks head coach Bill Self said. “He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do. It was unfortunate he tore his ACL his first year but he played a key role, especially late in the season, to the success we had this year. We not only support him but also agree that this could potentially help his post-college professional options. Dwight will always be looked upon by our programme as a Jayhawk. We respect everything that he’s done in the time he has been here.”

He had his best game of the season in a February matchup against fellow Bahamian Shaquille Cleare and the Texas Longhorns, when he finished with 12 points, four rebounds and three steals.

Following a standout high school career, Coleby signed with the Ole Miss Rebels out of the Piney Woods School in Mississippi.

He entered Ole Miss as a highly touted recruit following his senior season at Piney Woods High School. He was the first commitment for the Rebels and was the top recruit on the team’s recruiting list for the 2013 season. He was listed as a three-star recruit by Scout.com and ranked number 23 amongst centers.

ESPN.com also listed him as a three star recruit, with a grade of 78 overall, ranked 36th in the Southeast region, 15th nationally at his position, and second at his position within the state of Mississippi.

In his freshman season with the Rebels, Coleby played in 28 games with four starts and averaged 2.4 points and 1.9 rebounds per game in 10.4 minutes. He shot 47 per cent from the floor and finished with 18 blocked shots, fifth on the team.

As a sophomore, he averaged 5.4 points and 4.8 rebounds and was also named an SEC Academic Honour Roll selection in two seasons with the Rebels.

Following his sophomore campaign, he announced his intention to transfer to the Jayhawks.