WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Jared Phay today announced the signing of three more players to the Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) squad for the 2021-2022 season.
They are Mehdi Pissis, a 6-foot, 5-inch guard from Sartrouville, France; Dallas Clayton, a 6-foot, 10-inch forward from Wellington, New Zealand; and Luka Novakovic, a 6-foot, 6-inch guard from Serbia.
A graduate of West Nottingham Academy in Colora, Maryland, Pissis began his collegiate career Clayton State University in Morrow, Georgia, an NCAA Division II program. He was averaging 12 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while shooting 48% from 3-point range before an injury sidelined him.
He then signed with Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, Utah, before transferring to the Grizzlies.
“Mehdi is a guard with size who can really shoot it well,” Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Jared Phay said. “He has had a crazy journey to this point, but we are excited to have Mehdi here. He will give us a great shooting presence and, as an older and more mature player, will provide some stability to the team.”
Clayton averaged 12.2 points per game with Scots College, a prep school in Wellington. He also spent time training with the New Zealand Junior National Team and is considered one of the best prospects in New Zealand.
“Dallas gives us some size around the rim, which we were missing last year,” Phay said. “He also has a good skill base, and his game will translate well here.”
Novakovic, a Serbia Junior National Team member, played at Lee Academy in Lee, Maine, last season.
“Luka gives us some more size, but he also has the ability to shoot the ball. Because of his athleticism and skill set, he can play either inside or outside,” Phay said.
The coach also announced that Grizzly Nico Hill has decided to return for a third season. The 6-foot, 6-inch forward from Opunake, New Zealand, started 17 games for the Grizzlies last season and averaged 7.2 points and 5.2 rebounds a game.
“We are excited to have Nico back. He is great to coach and, just as important, he has done a great job investing himself into the West Plains community. This place has become a second home for him,” Phay said.
For more information about the Grizzly Basketball program, visit www.msuwpgrizzlies.com or call 417-255-7991.
Missouri State University-West Plains empowers students to achieve personal success and to enrich their local and global communities by providing accessible, affordable and quality educational opportunities. Missouri State-West Plains offers associate degrees and credit and non-credit courses and serves as a delivery site for bachelor’s and master’s degrees offered by Missouri State University in Springfield.
-30-
