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JUCO Hoops: Vols' Crossland signs with Eastern Illinois

John A. Logan College sophomore forward Ranell Crossland has accepted a scholarship offer to play basketball at Eastern Illinois University this fall.

The 6-foot-6 St. Louis product averaged 11.2 points and 5.4 rebounds for the 24-8 Vols this past season. He was averaging over 17 points and seven rebounds before twice injuring an ankle and then later battling a hernia issue. He only started 20 of the team's 32 games.

"This past season was really tough on Ranell," said JALC head coach Kyle Smithpeters. "You're talking about a preseason All-American that was out of our lineup far too much, and when he was in the lineup, he was playing at less than full speed."

Crossland shot 47 percent from the field overall (41 percent from beyond the arc). He was also a 68.5 percent free-throw shooter.

"I'm extremely excited to see Ranell going to Eastern Illinois," Smithpeters said. "I think he's an absolute steal for them. And I am confident that Coach Jay Spoonhour and his staff will do a great job of making Ranell an even better college player."

Crossland said he is confident that EIU is the right choice for him.

"I feel like God has given me another chance to show what I can do," he said. "I'm really excited about the opportunity to play there and be reunited with my former Logan teammate, A.J. Riley. He helped me become mentally tougher, a better leader out on the floor, and I can't thank him enough for that."

Crossland said he is going to work hard all spring and summer at improving his overall game.

"My ballhandling and jump shooting, in particular," he said. "I want to be able to step onto the court over there and contribute right away."