Greg "Junior" Russell should become a key component of the
Titans' squad in 2007-08... Textbook point guard with great court
sense and a winning background... Extremely quick and has a point
guard mentality - pass first and score second... Very good in
transition and excels on the open floor.
WEST VALLEY COLLEGE: All-state selection for the Vikings and
Coach Danny Yoshikawa... Two-year starter on teams that combined
for a 57-13 record... Team advanced to the state championship game
in 2006 and second round of the 2007 playoffs... He averaged 16.8
points, 5.6 assists and 2.5 rebounds last season and 7.3 points and
3.7 assists as a freshman when he made the all-state tournament
team... Will be reunited with West Valley teammates Kenneth
Alexander and Marcus Morgan.
SANTA CRUZ HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year letterman at Santa Cruz High
School for Coach Pete Newell, Jr.... Team won a state championship
and he was the Div. III most valuable player... First-team
all-league selection and made the all-state tournament team... Also
played football as a running back as a sophomore.
PERSONAL: Born on July 20, 1987, in San Jose, California...
Parents are Gregory Russell and Lawanda Burks... Has two brothers,
Bradley and Steven Palmer and a sister, Latoya Russell...
Afro-ethnic studies major... Originally signed a letter of intent
out of West Valley with Long Beach State but was granted a release
when a coaching change was made... Most memorable sports thrills
are winning the high school state championship and playing for the
state community college championship... Credits Coaches Newell and
Bobby Bramlett for most influence on his career: "Because they
taught me so much about the game of basketball that I never thought
of."