Men’s Hoops Lands Alden Applewhite
April 14, 2021 | Men's Basketball
by Matt Dunaway, Associate Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – Alden Applewhite has inked his National Letter of Intent (NLI) with the Mississippi State men's basketball program announced Wednesday by head coach Ben Howland during the spring signing period.
Applewhite, a 6-7 forward from Memphis, Tennessee, will join the Bulldogs as a freshman starting in 2021-22. His prep stops include nationally-acclaimed Arizona Compass Prep School under Ed Gipson in addition to Houston and Lausanne High Schools in Memphis.
Applewhite is an excellent three-point shooter with beyond NBA-type range. He also is a solid passer and decision maker on offense.
Applewhite averaged 10.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game before being sideline with an injury at Arizona Compass Prep last season. He led Houston High School to the program's first state tournament appearance where he amassed 15.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game during his junior season. Applewhite was the District 15-AAA regular season and tournament most valuable player in 2019-20 under the tutelage of Charlie Leonard.
Applewhite's brother, Andre Applewhite, played for the Bulldogs during the 2013-14 season for Rick Ray. He chose State over Clemson, Iowa State, St. John's and Wake Forest.
COACH HOWLAND ON APPLEWHITE
"We're excited to welcome Alden to our Mississippi State basketball family. He has an excellent skill level for a player with his size. He's a very good shooter. The thing that I was most excited about in his recruitment, in terms of what he can bring to our program, is his ability to space the floor and shoot three's. Alden is a very intelligent player. His Dad is a coach so he's been around the game his whole life. He's got a great feel for the game and possesses a high basketball IQ."
COACH GIPSON ON APPLEWHITE
"Alden is an extremely versatile player that can play multiple positions. He's a high IQ kid with elite passing ability that can shoot from deep. He was a huge part of our success with his leadership skills, and his willingness to play and guard multiple positions. I have no doubt that Alden will be successful at Mississippi State. He's truly built for the SEC in my opinion."
Mississippi State captured a runner-up finish at the 2021 NIT as the Bulldogs earned a bid in postseason play for the third consecutive time when postseason tournament have been played. State won seven of its last 10 games, highlighted by a combined five NCAA NET Quad 1 and Quad 2 victories down the stretch.
Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its social media outlets by searching 'HailStateMBK' on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
STARKVILLE – Alden Applewhite has inked his National Letter of Intent (NLI) with the Mississippi State men's basketball program announced Wednesday by head coach Ben Howland during the spring signing period.
Applewhite, a 6-7 forward from Memphis, Tennessee, will join the Bulldogs as a freshman starting in 2021-22. His prep stops include nationally-acclaimed Arizona Compass Prep School under Ed Gipson in addition to Houston and Lausanne High Schools in Memphis.
Applewhite is an excellent three-point shooter with beyond NBA-type range. He also is a solid passer and decision maker on offense.
Applewhite averaged 10.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game before being sideline with an injury at Arizona Compass Prep last season. He led Houston High School to the program's first state tournament appearance where he amassed 15.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game during his junior season. Applewhite was the District 15-AAA regular season and tournament most valuable player in 2019-20 under the tutelage of Charlie Leonard.
Applewhite's brother, Andre Applewhite, played for the Bulldogs during the 2013-14 season for Rick Ray. He chose State over Clemson, Iowa State, St. John's and Wake Forest.
COACH HOWLAND ON APPLEWHITE
"We're excited to welcome Alden to our Mississippi State basketball family. He has an excellent skill level for a player with his size. He's a very good shooter. The thing that I was most excited about in his recruitment, in terms of what he can bring to our program, is his ability to space the floor and shoot three's. Alden is a very intelligent player. His Dad is a coach so he's been around the game his whole life. He's got a great feel for the game and possesses a high basketball IQ."
COACH GIPSON ON APPLEWHITE
"Alden is an extremely versatile player that can play multiple positions. He's a high IQ kid with elite passing ability that can shoot from deep. He was a huge part of our success with his leadership skills, and his willingness to play and guard multiple positions. I have no doubt that Alden will be successful at Mississippi State. He's truly built for the SEC in my opinion."
Mississippi State captured a runner-up finish at the 2021 NIT as the Bulldogs earned a bid in postseason play for the third consecutive time when postseason tournament have been played. State won seven of its last 10 games, highlighted by a combined five NCAA NET Quad 1 and Quad 2 victories down the stretch.
Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its social media outlets by searching 'HailStateMBK' on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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