Patriot Men ink tranfer guards

Francis Marion University men’s basketball coach Gary Edwards has announced the addition of guards Kendrick Robinson of Goose Creek and Anthony Wallen of Anderson, Ala., to the Patriot hoop squad. Both are transferring from junior colleges and will have two years of eligibility.

Robinson, a 6-2 175-pound point guard, is transferring from Spartanburg Methodist College, where he played for coach Rob Burke. This past year, he averaged 13.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.0 steals for a 24-8 Pioneers squad. He led SMC in scoring, assists, and steals and gained third-team Region X All-Region recognition. He connected on 30 percent of his three-point shots and 74 percent of his free throw attempts.

As a freshman, he averaged 13.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game while garnering All-Region and Region All-Tournament Team honors.

He is also a product of Goose Creek High School, where he played under the direction of coach Brad Dobbels. As a senior, he earned All-State honors for both basketball and football. As team captain, he helped lead Goose Creek to the 2006 hoops state championship game.

Wallen, a 6-3 175-pound guard, comes to FMU from Northwest-Shoals Community College, where he played for coach Tom Dillon. This past season, he averaged 9.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game while the Patriots posted an 18-14 record. He shot 34.5 percent from three-point range, 34th-best in NJCAA Division I.

As a freshman, he averaged 5.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.

Wallen is a former 3-time All-County performer at Lauderdale County High School, where he played for coach Ted Talley. He was also a three-year All-County selection on the baseball diamond.

"Kendrick played his prep ball for one of my former players (Dobbels),” said FMU head coach Gary Edwards. “Kendrick understands the game and has been a winner at every level. He will allow us to play at a faster pace and to pressure a little more defensively.

“Anthony gives us an athletic shooter at the guard position. He will improve our outside shooting and our court awareness. He was heavily recruited by several Division I programs, and we are certainly pleased that he has chosen Francis Marion to continue his career.”

Francis Marion lost four seniors off last year’s 12-16 squad.