JONESBORO, Ark. (4/20/16) – Tamas Bruce, a product of John A. Logan College and an all-state selection out of Osceola High School, has signed his National Letter of Intent to join the Arkansas State men’s basketball team, head coach Grant McCasland announced today.
“We are really excited to have Tamas join the A-State basketball program,” said McCasland. “He plays with a great motor and can impact the game in a magnitude of ways. He is a very good rebounder and has a nose for the ball. We are happy to bring him back home to Arkansas.”
Bruce averaged 10.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game for the 24-8 Volunteers that climbed as high as No. 5 in the nation at one point. He shot 61.0 percent (133-218) from the field to rank 18th in the NJCAA while posting 43 blocks, 34 assists and 25 steals on the 2015-16 season.
The 6-8, 190 pound forward, posted nine double-doubles for John A. Logan in his sophomore season. Bruce finished the year with 19 double-figure scoring games and pulled in six or more rebounds in 27 games. He controlled the glass to the tune of 12 or more boards in seven of his nine double-doubles, including a 20-point, 17-rebound performance in the District 16 Tournament semifinal against Vincennes University.
In his freshman season, Bruce averaged 5.3 points and 4.9 rebounds as the Vols won the conference title, Region 24 crown and District 16 championship. Bruce had seven or more points in 13 outings, including a season-high 13 points against Lake Land in the district tournament. The Vols went on to win the district tournament, defeating unbeaten Vincennes in the championship game to advance to the NJCAA Tournament for the first time since 1995.
Bruce earned multiple all-state accolades in his prep career at Osceola High School. In his senior season, he was named to the Arkansas High School Coaches Association (ASCHA) All-Star team and scored 10 points to lead the East squad to the win. In addition to all-state honors, he was named to The Sun’s Best Under the Sun Team after averaging 17.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, six blocks, three assists and three steals. He earned a spot in The Sun Senior Classic and was named MVP after posting 30 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks.
In his junior season at Osceola, Bruce picked up all-state accolades after helping the Seminoles to the quarterfinals of the Class 3A state tournament. He averaged 15 points and 13 rebounds on the year while also earning all-conference recognition.
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