May 12, 2008

WINSTON-SALEM, NC - Winston-Salem State University men's basketball coach Bobby Collins announced a talent-laden 2008 signing class on Monday afternoon as he confirmed that four student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball for the Rams next season.

"We're addressing some issues and adding some quality depth to our team with these signees" Winston-Salem State head men's basketball coach Bobby Collins said Monday afternoon. "We have an opportunity to strengthen our program with these four talented freshmen. They are a welcome addition to the strong tradition of Rams basketball."

The Rams will strengthen their backcourt with the signing of three guards, including a pair of North Carolina natives.

Michael Bonner, Jr., a 6-5 guard from Hertford, N.C. he led his Perquimans High School squad to a 21-6 record last season en route to capturing the Albemarle Conference regular season title.

In addition to the team title, Bonner took home a number of individual honors including being named the Albemarle Conference Player of the Year as well as being selected the Daily Advance Player of the Year.

An All-District and first team All-Conference honoree he was selected to play in the North Carolina Coaches Association East/West All-Star game to be played at the Greensboro Coliseum on July 21, 2008.  Bonner averaged 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game in 2007-08.

Bonner chose Winston-Salem State over South Carolina State University where he was also offered a scholarship to play basketball.

Joining Bonner at WSSU is Lamar Monger, a 6-0 guard from Ahoskie, N.C. where he led his Hertford County High School team to the Northeastern Coastal Conference regular season and tournament championships.

A three-time All-Conference performer, Monger was named his conference's Player of the Year.  Like his future WSSU teammate Michael Bonner, Monger was also a selected to play in the North Carolina Coaches Association East/West All-Star game. A two-sport athlete, Monger earned three All-Conference honors in football and was named the All-Area Defensive Player of the Year.

Monger chose to join the Rams over interest from Appalachian State and Old Dominion, as well as Furman and Gardner-Webb, both of whom offered Monger football and basketball scholarships.

Also heading to WSSU is Jemarcus McClinton, a 6-3, 175-pound guard from Chester, S.C. who was the state of South Carolina leader in scoring at 26 points per game last season.   McClinton added eight rebounds and two steals per game as he led the Chester High School Cyclones to the Class AAA Upper State championship game.

Named The Herald's All-Area Player of the Year, McClinton earned All-Region 3A honors and was named to the Class 3A All-State team.

McClinton turned down offers from Louisiana Tech and South Carolina State in order to sign with the Rams.

Adding some punch to the Rams' frontcourt will be 6-7 forward Stephon Platt. A native of Laurinburg, N.C., Platt led the Fighting Scots to a second place finish in the Mid-Southeastern Conference and an appearance in the NCHSAA playoffs.

A three-time first team All-Conference honoree, Platt led the conference in blocked shots during his junior and senior seasons.

A force offensively as well as on the defensive end of the court, Platt averaged 17.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game.

For additional information on WSSU men's basketball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to the official website of Winston-Salem State University athletics at WSSURams.com.