Rams Ink Local Product To Round Out Backcourt

Story Courtesy of Mike Herndon (Mobile Press-Register)

McGill-Toolen's Ji Kimbrough, one of the leading scorers in the Mobile area last season, signed a basketball scholarship Tuesday with the University of Mobile.

Kimbrough, a 6-foot guard, averaged 24 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists per game for the Jackets last season. He put up a season-high 50 points versus Murphy High School on January 17th this season.

"This is really the first major local signing in 10 years — since Delvin Powell and Kalili Stallworth — for UM," said McGill-Toolen coach Phillip Murphy, who played at UM in the 1990s. "(Kimbrough's) biggest thing is his explosiveness to the basket. I haven't seen a lot of people this year who have been able to stay in front of him."

Kimbrough, who expects to play both guard positions on the college level, chose the Rams over Samford, East Tennessee, Jacksonville University and Jacksonville State.

"I've known coach (Joe) Niland for about four years and he's been watching me," Kimbrough said. "He was at a lot of my games. I like the school. It's a nice campus with nice people."

Niland said he believes Kimbrough is the final piece of a strong incoming class of backcourt players that includes point guard Lelund Leday of Lake Charles, La., and 6-6 wing player Brock Dockery of Bonifay, Fla.

"His speed and quickness and athleticism are kind of special," Niland said. "With the basketball, he can break defenses down as well as any guard I've seen around here in a while. We feel Ji is a big coup for us and is going to be a great player."