Kishwaukee College men's basketball players Diamond Hood and Nick Melton have signed letters of intent to continue playing basketball at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for the 2015-16 school year. Mount Mercy is an NAIA University that competes in the Midwest Collegiate Conference. The Mustangs finished 27-5 and ended up as the #10 team in the NAIA Top 25.
Hood started six games this past season while playing in 48 total games during his Kishwaukee career. Diamond averaged 3ppg and 1.6apg while shooting 39% for the 3pt line. Diamond was a key member of Kishwaukee's 2015 Arrowhead Conference Championship and 2015 Region IV Championship team that made the "Elite-Eight" at the NJCAA National Tournament. Diamond completed his career with a total of 114 points, 76 assists, and 21 steals while shooting 37% from the 3-pt line.
"Diamond was a solid point guard and player for us during his time here. He played big minutes for us as a sophomore and contributed down the stretch in our push for the conference and regional championships", said Kishwaukee men's basketball head coach Rob Buss.
Melton, who completed his eligibility after the 2014 season, started 16 games during his time as a Kougar. Nick averaged 7ppg and 4.1rpg and shot 80% for the free throw line, while being assigned to defend the opposing team's best perimeter offensive players. Melton completed his career with a total of 272 points, 177 rebounds, 130 assists, and 36 steals.
Buss had this to say about Melton, "Nick is a great competitor and an unselfish teammate. He is one of the best defenders that I have coached guarding the perimeter."
Hood looks to take over for former Kishwaukee point guard, Dondre Osborne(2012-2013) who was named an NAIA All-American this year as a senior for Mount Mercy. Hood and Melton will join former Kougar's Alex Houston(2012-2013) and Josh Williams(2012-2014), on the Mount Mercy roster.
Fifty-three Kishwaukee Kougar men's basketball players have moved on to continue their careers at four-year institutions during Rob Buss' twelve seasons as head coach.
