May 5, 2009

Fullerton, Calif. - Devon Peltier, a 5-foot-11 combination guard from Missouri State University-West Plains, has signed a national letter of intent to continue his basketball career in 2009-10 at Cal State Fullerton.

The incoming junior averaged 17 points a game in 2008-09 for the Grizzlies, who compete in Region 16 of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and play full schedules with teams from throughout the midwest. He shot 51 percent from the floor, 46 percent from the 3-point line (86 of 188) and 87 percent from the free-throw line while averaging 2.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists. He was selected to the All-Region 16 team.

"He is a very prolific scorer," said CSF Associate Head Coach Andy Newman, who coordinates Fullerton's recruiting. "He's a combination guard. He made seven or eight treys in a 32-point game against Carl Albert State."

Peltier will be asked to help replace the offensive production of guard Josh Akognon, who was sixth in the nation in scoring at 23.9 points per game last season for the Titans. Akognon was second in the country in 3-point field goals, making an average of 4.3 per game (136 for 366, .372).

The Grizzlies finished 14-17 last season for first-year Head Coach Yancey Walker. They lost in the first round of the Region 16 playoffs to Moberly Area College, 74-71, despite 23 points by Peltier on 7 of 12 shooting (2 of 5 treys). They had beaten Moberly, 69-59, in their previous game.

Peltier is a native of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, but moved to Kansas City, Missouri, to live with his aunt, attend high school and further develop his basketball game. He prepped at Raytown High School in Kansas City. He has played in the Centrobasket Tournament and Caribbean Basketball Championships as well as the St. Thomas Amateur Basketball Association Summer Open League. He also participated in Basketball Without Borders Americas, an NBA-sponsored camp held in Puerto Rico prior to his senior season.