WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Jared Phay, head coach of the Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Basketball team, today announced his final signings for 2021-2022 season, and among them are a former Grizzly returning to the squad.
Christian Robbins, a standout on the West Plains High School Zizzer squad who first signed with the Grizzlies in 2016, is rejoining the team on scholarship.
“We are excited to have Christian return to our program,” Phay said. “Christian has been a great member of our community, and I am excited that he has decided to return to school. He is in good playing shape, and I know he will be a leader for our program!”
Robbins averaged 15.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists during his senior season with the Zizzers. He shot 43% from the field, 30% from 3-point range and 75% from the charity stripe.
The 6-foot, 2-inch guard’s efforts on the court earned him first team all-conference and all-district honors his senior season, and he was an all-defensive team selection, as well.
Robbins is the son of Jason and Melissa Robbins, West Plains, and Dominique Savage Edwards and Duane Edwards of Little Rock, AR. A native of Alton, Jason played for the Grizzly Basketball team from 1994-96, and Edwards played for the Grizzly Volleyball team from 1995-96.
Phay also signed Kevon Eskridge, a 6-foot, 4-inch guard from Norcross, Georgia. A 2020 graduate of Norcross High School, Eskridge attended the Skill Factory in 2021.
“Kevon is an athletic guard who can also shoot the ball well,” Phay said. “He can play all three perimeter positions, so we are excited to add him to the group.”
Isaiah Lewis, a 6-foot, 1-inch point guard from Romulus, Michigan, also recently signed with the Grizzlies. Last season, as a member of the Chicago State University in Chicago, Illinois, Lewis averaged 5.9 points per game and started in five of the seven games the team played before shutting down due to COVID-19.
As a senior in high school, Lewis averaged 23 points and six assists per game.
“Isaiah is a point guard who can also score the ball. He provides a lot of quickness for us, but he also brings some experience since he has played at the NCAA Division I level,” Phay said.
Grizzlies lose two returners
Two Grizzlies from last season have decided to move on from the program, Phay said. James “Scooter” Williams, a 6-foot, 5-inch guard from Clarksville, Tennessee, has chosen to transfer to a college closer to home, Phay said, and Martaveon Jones, a 6-foot, 2-inch point guard from Kansas City, has decided to sit out the upcoming season.
“Scooter and Martaveon were key players on our team last season, and we hate to see them go, but we wish them well,” 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.
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