COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Maynard returning home to Rochester College

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

Twitter: @LocalSportsFans

ROCHESTER HILLS — Drew Maynard is returning to Oakland County and he will be in new digs.

Maynard signed recently with Rochester College, a national powerhouse in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association and a new member of the NAIA.

Maynard, a 2008 graduate of Lake Orion High School, spent 2.5 seasons at Division I Oakland University and last season at Division II Valdosta State before opting to leave that institution to come home.

Maynard, an athletic, 6-foot-7 jumping jack who can play either shooting guard or forward, will have one season of eligibility in a Warriors jersey.

UP COURT: Drew Maynard, a former standout at Lake Orion High School and Oakland University, spent last season at Division II Valdosta State. courtesy Photo | Valdosta State Athletics

Rochester College was the national runner-up in the USCAA tournament back in early March and has captured five national championships during the past three decades.

“This is a great steal for us, because Drew played Division I college basketball for a couple of years and is a very talented and experienced basketball player. We’re glad to have him,” offered Rochester College coach Klint Pleasant.

Maynard departed OU in late December, 2010, just days after OU lost to Ohio State when the Buckeyes were ranked No. 2 in the nation at the time. He ended up at Valdosta State and was a key contributor for one season.

Maynard, who was part of a coveted five-member class to sign with Oakland four years ago — none of those players are still at OU or finished their careers there — averaged 10 points and six rebounds last season for Valdosta State, which finished the 2011-12 season with an 11-16 record.

“We have a few positions to fill and Drew meets one of them,” said Pleasant, who noted that Maynard will be one of the Warriors’ tallest players at 6-7. “He is a good outside shooter, has long arms and has great leaping ability. We only have him for one season, so we hope he can make an impact for us in his only season with us.

Drew Maynard

“I watched him a few times in high school when I was an assistant coach and tipped off a few Division I coaches that I knew to recruit him,” added Pleasant. “I never knew that he would end up back here with us. We are very fortunate to be able to sign a player like him.”

During his first season at Oakland, Maynard played in 36 games, including 20 starts, and averaged 7.1 points and 3.1 rebounds while scoring in double figures nine times. As a sophomore, Maynard’s totals dipped to 4.7points and 2.4 rebounds a contest.

He played in five games in 2010-11 due to a suspension and opted to leave the Grizzlies before the mid-point of the season.

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Tags: Basketball, college men's basketball, Men's Basketball, Oakland University men's basketball, Rochester College Men's Basketball, Valdosta State Men's Basketball

Category: Campus Clips, Colleges / Other, Featured Articles, Oakland University, Rochester College