April 14, 2005

The University of Texas-Pan American head men's basketball coach Robert Davenport announced on Thursday (Apr. 14) that Larry Sheppard (Baton Rouge, LA/Iowa Western Community College) has signed a National Letter of Intent and will join the Broncs during the 2005-06 academic year.

"We are really excited about Larry joining our program," said Davenport. "He is the prototypical point guard for our system because he can shoot, handle the ball and defend. He has the mindset of a point guard and understands how to run a team. He comes from a junior college program that finished fifth in the country, and he's a proven winner. We expect him to bring leadership and a winning attitude to our program."

The newly-signed Bronc will come to the Rio Grande Valley from Iowa Western Community College where he helped the Reivers to a school record 40-win season. Sheppard was part of a program that won the Region XI men's basketball championship and advanced to the school's first NJCAA National Tournament. At nationals, Iowa Western Community College finished fifth overall.

A product of Glen Oaks High School, Sheppard was selected as the District 4-5A Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year. He was a first team All-District 4-5A and All-Metro selection in his final season and earned a spot on the honorable mention all-state team. He was a member of a Glen Oaks prep program that won 28 games and captured the conference and regional championships.

Sheppard also played for the Louisiana Future and Sports Academy (AAU) while growing up in Baton Rouge, LA. He helped the Sports Academy to an eighth-place finish at the national tournament.

The 5-11 point guard chose UTPA over Loyola (IL), Texas A&M - Corpus Christi, Northern Colorado and Eastern Illinois.

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