2/11-2/17 Spotlight: Colby Garland
A native of Magnolia, Arkansas, Colby Garland has been on the move consistently. Following a successful high school career that saw him take home two state titles, he played one more year at Link Academy in Missouri. The college basketball world finally took notice at this point, with Garland receiving a few scholarship offers. After weighing his options, he committed to Drake University ahead of the 2023-2024 season.
Upon joining the Bulldogs, Garland slotted in as the backup point guard, averaging
a respectable stat line of 5.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. Named to the Missouri Valley All-Bench Team, he also got a chance to shine in March Madness, swiping a career-high three steals in Drake’s first round loss to Washington State. Ready for a larger role, Garland entered his name into the transfer portal. Two weeks later, he announced he would be joining Longwood University.
Once he arrived on campus for the Lancers, Garland demonstrated his potential as an ideal combo guard to run an offense. Dropping over 12 points a night on great efficiency, as well as ranking second in the Big South in assists (4.4), the Arkansas product looked to be coming into his own. At season’s end, he re-entered the portal to find his third collegiate home and seventh school overall if high schools are included. This time, he decided to head further west than ever before, transferring to San Jose State to play for head coach Tim Miles.
While the record won’t necessarily show it, Garland and the Spartans have been competitive throughout Mountain West play. With the roster fighting the injury bug all season, the pickup from Longwood has been asked to shoulder the load offensively. All things considered, Garland has been playing at an all-conference level. He’s ranks second in points (19.3), third in assists (4.5), and is shooting a career high 41.8% from three point range. Most recently, San Jose State snapped an eight game losing skid against Nevada, all but ending their hopes of making it to March Madness. Garland was magnificent, dropping 29 points, 9 assists, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals to deliver their biggest win of the season. Although conventional wisdom would assume he transfers one final time to a larger stage for his senior year, Magnolia’s very own could decide to return to San Jose. If he does, Garland would undoubtedly be their top returning player since conference player of the year winner Omari Moore in 2023.
Team of the Week
First Team
Point Guard
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, Junior, Illinois to UNLV || 36 points, 3 rebounds, assist, 2 steals, 59.1% FG, 50% 3PT, 4/4 FT
Shooting Guard
MJ Collins Jr, Senior, Vanderbilt to Utah State || 24 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 71.4% FG, 1/5 3PT, 3/5 FT
Small Forward
Jaden Henley, Senior, UNLV to Grand Canyon || (3 game average) 20.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.3 steals, 47.8% FG, 35.7% 3PT, 85.7% FT
Power Forward
Adrian Myers, Sophomore, Mississippi State to San Jose State || (2 game average) 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.5 steal, 60.9% FG, 60% 3PT, 54.5% FT
Center
Drew Fielder, Junior, Georgetown to Boise State || 27 points, 6 rebounds, assist, 2 steals, 64.3% FG, 5/6 3PT, 4/4 FT
Second Team
Point Guard
Colby Garland, Junior, Longwood to San Jose State || (2 game average) 26 points, 8 assists, 2 rebounds, 2.5 steals, 57.6% FG, 85.7% 3PT, 80% FT
Shooting Guard
Jase Butler, Sophomore, Washington to Colorado State || 18 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 3/4 FG, 1/1 3PT, 11/12 FT
Small Forward
Khaden Bennett, Junior, Quinnipiac to Wyoming || 15 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4 assists, 45.4% FG, 50% 3PT, 4/4 FT
Power Forward
Antonio Chol, Junior, Garden City (JUCO) to New Mexico || (2 game average) 16 points, 3 rebounds, block, 0.5 steal, 57.1% FG, 50% 3PT, 1/2 FT
Center
Elijah Price, Sophomore, Fresno State to Nevada || 15.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals, 31.3% FG, 77.8% FT
Third Team
Point Guard
Deyton Albury, Graduate, Utah State to New Mexico || (2 game average) 11.5 points, 6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 63.6% FG, 1/2 3PT, 88.9% FT
Shooting Guard
Damarion Dennis, Sophomore, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to Wyoming || (2 game average) 19 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2 assists, steal, 57.1% FG, 44.4% 3PT, 2/2 FT
Small Forward
Corey Camper Jr, Graduate, UTEP to Nevada || 17 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2.5 steals, 43.3% FG, 37.5% 3PT, 2/3 FT
Power Forward
Jevin Muniz, Senior, Florida Gulf Coast to Colorado State || 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 6/8 FG, 1/1 3PT, 2/2 FT
Center
JT Rock, Sophomore, Iowa State to New Mexico || (2 game average) 8 points, 3 rebounds, assist, 1.5 blocks, 75% FG, 2/3 3PT, 40% FT
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