Known as "The Worldwide Leader in Sports," ESPN remains the premier name in sports television. On the opening night of the 2022-23 NCAA men's basketball season, the worldwide leader featured plenty of Polk State Basketball alumni.
Four former Polk State players competed in contests broadcast on ESPN's family of networks on Monday night. Two scored in double figures.
"It's what junior college hoops is all about," Polk State Head Coach Brandon Giles said. "We have 50 or 60 coaches on average come in every year to recruit our team. Seeing your student-athletes develop and sign onto a four-year school is why we do what we do – why we sacrifice all we sacrifice."
A former Polk State standout who spent last season at Wichita State University, Clarence Jackson filled up the box score in his Jacksonville State University debut. In a 111-48 rout of Shorter College, Jackson came off the bench to shoot 7-for-9 with 17 points, seven rebounds, three blocks, and two steals.
Lindenwood University played its first game as a Division I program on Tuesday night. While the Lions struggled in a 73-46 loss to No. 24 Dayton University, forward Keenon Cole did not struggle in his Division I debut. An All-Central Conference first-team selection last season at Polk State, Cole finished 5-for-7 from the field with 10 points for Lindenwood.
Texas A&M-Commerce was also making its debut as a Division I program. Teammates at Polk State during the 2019-20 season, JJ Romer Rosario and Tommie Lewis were teammates once again for the Lions in Monday's 77-60 loss to SMU. Rosario was an efficient 3-for-4 shooting with seven points while Lewis, an NJCAA All-America honorable mention last season at Polk State, added two points and four rebounds.
"Being able to watch them on ESPN just puts the icing on the cake," Giles added. "It's also validation that you're doing the right thing with your student-athletes."
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