Garrett Pumphrey announced his decision to attend Wittenberg University on Monday, April 16. Photo supplied.
CAMBRIDGE CITY, Ind. – In eighth grade, Lincoln’s Garrett Pumphrey began his basketball journey.
On Monday, the 6-8 Pumphrey took another step forward as he committed to Wittenberg University to continue his career.
“When he started this, our idea was for him to continue his basketball career,” Lincoln Head Coach Rodney Klein said. “There were lots of opportunities out there for him any one of those would have been OK, but this was the fit for him.”
When he was younger, Pumphrey was often asked two questions that led to him joining the basketball team.
“I decided to give it a try because there were always people who would ask how tall I am and then they would ask if I played basketball,” Pumphrey said. “I would say no and then they would have a disgusting look on their face.”
And now even after being named the Co-Player of the Year in the Tri-Eastern Conference?
“Sometimes, I still joke around and say no,” he said with a smile.
Jokes aside, Pumphrey is joining a Division III program that was 27-3 last season.
“They are a good group of guys and their chemistry is really good,” said Pumphrey, who is the son of Jaime Pumphrey and Billy Pumphrey.
Under Head Coach Matt Croci, the Tigers won the North Coast Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles before falling in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
“They are really nice and very comforting,” Pumphrey said of the coaching staff at the school in Springfield, Ohio. “They have a good program.”
Klein liked the decision.
“I think it’s a really good fit,” he said. “They graduate their big kid out of the middle and academically, I think it’s a real good fit for him to be involved in the physical therapy program.”
“He felt really comfortable with the situation and comfortable with the coaches,” Klein said. “They are positive people.”
Pumphrey led the Golden Eagles last season with 16.9 points, 12.3 rebounds and 6.7 blocks per contest.
“He’s always consistent in what he does,” Klein said. “He led our team in scoring and rebounding, but he also led our team in assists.”
He averaged 4.0 assists as a senior.
“He finds people on the floor well and he can handle the ball well enough to break pressure,” Klein said.
Pumphrey finished his high school career with 1,154 points, 904 rebounds and 562 blocks.