Raiders Moving on to Division-I Programs

NICEVILLE, Fla. – Two more National Champions will be moving on to the Division-I level this coming season. Point Guard Shammah Scott signed with Wichita State University and Guard/Forward Michael Jefferson signed with Iona University.

Shammah Scott joins the Shockers after just one year at Northwest Florida. During his time as a Raider, Scott averaged 6.8 points and 1.4 assists in less than 16 minutes per game. He shot 51.9% from the field and 47.5% on 59 three-point attempts. Scott was originally thought to be a class of 2023 recruit but was ruled a qualifier for the 2022 class this summer. After proving himself at the JA48 Showcase in Las Vegas, an invite-only event for JUCO players, Scott received multiple Division-I offers before signing with Coach Isaac Brown and the Shockers.

Before this summer, Shammah Scott was already familiar with the Wichita State program. On their run to winning the National Championship, Scott and the Raiders practiced in Wichita State's arena during the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson. Also, former Raider Head Coach and now New Mexico State Head Coach, Greg Heiar, was an Assistant Coach at Wichita State.

Michael Jefferson heads to play for legendary coach Rick Pitino and the Iona Gaels after one season with Northwest Florida. As a freshman, Jefferson started 29 games and averaged 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 22 minutes per game. He shot 44.8% from the field and 30.8% from beyond the arc.

Michael Jefferson gets the opportunity of a lifetime to play for Rick Pitino. Pitino is heading into his 33rd season as a collegiate head coach and has a career record of 807-285. Pitino became the first coach to take three different schools to the NCAA Final Four and to win a NCAA championship at two different schools, one with Kentucky in 1996 and one with Louisville in 2013. Rick Pitino was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

Scott and Jefferson were both ranked in the Top 50 Freshmen by JUCO Recruiting last season. They will have 3 years of eligibility remaining at their respective universities.

Head Coach Steve DeMeo on the signings, "Congratulations to two National Champions Shammah Scott and Michael Jefferson on fulfilling their dreams. Shammah has decided to play at Wichita State for former Raider assistant Isaac Brown and Michael will attend Iona and play for Rick Pitino. We wish them both well and will be following them both very closely throughout their basketball journeys."