Shooting Guard Commits to Ritchie McKay
May 1, 2000
Corvallis, Ore. - Emonte (pronounced E-monte) Jernigan of Santa Rosa Junior College in Santa Rosa, Cal., has signed a national letter of intent to play men's basketball at Oregon State University, it was announced Monday by Beaver head coach Ritchie McKay.
Jernigan is a 6'2" shooting guard who earned first team All-Bay Valley Conference honors during the 1999-2000 season. He averaged 17.5 points and shot over 50 percent from three-point range as a freshman.
"We are very pleased to sign a player of Emonte's ability this late in the recruiting period," McKay said. "His shooting range will cause opposing defenses to extend. He also has a terrific attitude, and is a person who will add a lot to this program."
Jernigan played just one year at Santa Rosa, and will enter OSU with three years of eligibility.
"My goal has always been to play in the Pacific-10 Conference, and that is why I chose Oregon State," Jernigan said. "I also have friends and family in the area, and that is a big plus."
Jernigan attended El Cerrito High School in El Cerrito, Cal. He lettered three years on the varsity team and helped his club advance to the state championship game at the Arco Arena as a senior. He was a first team all-league selection twice. He and current Beaver football player Terrell Roberts were prep teammates.
"I feel my strengths are my ball-handling and shooting skills," Jernigan said. "I make defenses respect me, because I'll hit the shot if I'm left open."
Jernigan was also being recruited by the University of The Pacific, St. Mary's College, and Nebraska. He joins forwards Chris Manker of Laguna Beach, Cal., and Phillip Ricci of San Joaquin Delta Junior College as McKay's first signing class at Oregon State. In addition, McKay welcomes center Derek Potter of North Vancouver, B.C., who signed with the previous coaching staff in November.
Oregon State has one scholarship available the remainder of the spring signing period, which concludes May 15.
