By George Maldonado
East Los Angeles College sophomore guard Marcus Romain signed his letter of intent to continue his collegiate basketball career at Mississippi Valley State University.
“I think it’s prestigious to go to an Historical Black University,” ELAC Head Coach John Mosley said.
Romain said a balance of recruiters watched his game tape and learned about him through other recruiters.
Loyola Marymount University, California State Universities, Fullerton, Bakersfield, Tennessee Tech University, Lamar University, Bakersfield, Beaumont University and Mississippi Valley State University, were those interested in signing Romain.
Romain was one of three players on the Husky basketball team who played and started every single game in the last season.
“We provided the framework, and he worked to get to a division-1 university,” Mosley said.
Romain had an average of 17.5 points per game on 10.8 field goals per game.
Romain feels that scoring is the best part of his game, and that he can transition to division-1 basketball.
Romain said Mosley helped keep his confidence up and put in the work necessary all season to be successful.
Some main points Romain knows he has to improve on are his physicality and to add some weight to his body.
Romain said Mississippi Valley was the best situation for him to become a better student and athlete.
The university team showed strong interest in recruiting him and will give him the opportunity to showcase his ability.
All season he felt like he was under recruited, although he out performed other players that were highly recruited.
“The right situation presented itself,” said Romain.
Romain was born in Brooklyn, New York where he attended Progressive Christian High School.
He moved to California three years ago.
His father, a big supporter continues to live in New York, and came down to watch some of his games.
His father and uncle both were big influences in him making his decision. Romain said his father didn’t pressure him to choose a specific college.
Instead, according to Romain, his father wanted him to decide on the school that would make him happiest.
The level of play is “more aggressive out in New York, and a little bit more competitive,” said Romain, compared to the competition he played in California.
Romain says he can quickly contribute to Mississippi Valley because he believes he’s “good enough to play a certain amount of minutes (to) come in and play right away.”
At the end of the day, Romain understands that esrning a spot in the rotation will be up to him.
His years playing for ELAC coaches and his teammates helped him develop his game successfully. “(They) gave me a good idea of where I am at and what I am capable of,” Romain said.
When it comes to being a student-athlete at Mississippi Valley, Romain feels ELAC counselor Dorothy Teola has prepared him to succeed academically.
Mosley believes Romain has a great future and academically is doing well, with more than a 3.0 GPA.
After getting experience and knowledge of the game, in Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball, growing up and playing in the east coast, and basketball at ELAC, “It’s going to be all up to me,” Romain said.