Booker signs with Montana
MISSOULA, Mont. — Portageville native Roy Booker has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Montana.
Booker, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound guard who is currently playing for Allen County Community College in Iola, Kansas, will join the Grizzlies next season.
“Roy Booker’s commitment makes a great statement for Montana basketball,” said Montana head coach Pat Kennedy. “I have had the good fortune to coach some outstanding guards, and he will rank among the best.”
Last season as a freshman, Booker was second in the Jayhawk Conference in scoring, averaging 21.8 points a game. In Allen County’s first five games this year, he was averaging 22.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
“My mom and high school coach always instilled in me to do my best and the Lord will take care of the rest,” said Booker. “My mom has always been my inspiration, and together we know this is a great decision.”
Prior to the season, Booker was tabbed a fourth team All-American in Street & Smith’s College Basketball 2002 magazine. In The Sporting News College Basketball issue, he was ranked the third best shooting guard in the nation in the junior college ranks.
“Roy has a simple, old-fashioned game,” said Rick Ball, of Ballplayers JC Report. “He has a Ray Allen approach to the court. He ranks as high as any off-guard you can find. He is a tremendous recruit for Montana.”
The love of the game apparently runs deep in Booker’s family.
Booker, the son of Jan Saxton of Portageville, has an older brother, Torry Saxton, playing alongside Prather and Hubbard at Mineral Area. Booker’s sister, Janil -- a senior power forward at Portageville High, is being courted by the women’s coach at Allen County.
In his freshman season at Allen County, Booker finished as the second leading scorer in the NJCAA Region VI. He shot 46 percent from the field, 76 percent from the free throw line, grabbed 150 rebounds and dished out 50 assists.
“I believe I can step in and provide them with strong guard play,” said Booker. “They are looking for someone who can score, and I believe I can help them in that department.”
Booker was second team all-state in his senior year at Portageville where he averaged 23 points, five assists and six rebounds a game under the direction of coach Jim Bidewell. Booker also drew interest from Arkansas Little Rock, George Mason, Kansas State, Nebraska, Texas A&M and Tulsa.
