Cleveland, OH-KJ Debrick, a 6'10" forward from Springfield, Illinois, is the newest member of the Cleveland State men's basketball team, head coach Daniyal Robinson announced today. Debrick is a junior college transfer who comes to CSU with two years of eligibility remaining.
"We are incredibly excited about adding KJ to our Viking Family," said Robinson. "It was important for us to add a proven winner in this class, and that is exactly what we're getting in KJ, having just recently been crowned National Champions of the NJCAA. KJ is a high character young man that brings with him valuable college playing experience. We believe his energy is contagious, he plays with great physicality, and will be a huge boost to our program. And finally, we're excited to reunite him with one of our star returning players, Tae Williams, who spent the 2021-2022 season with KJ at John A. Logan College."
Debrick comes to Cleveland State after two years at John A. Logan in Illinois. Debrick played in 67 games for the Volunteers including 55 starts and averaged 7.7 points per game. He shot 51 percent from the field combined over two seasons.
Debrick helped lead John A. Logan to the most successful season in program history in 2022-23. The Volunteers won the NJCAA National Championship defeating Northwest Florida State 73-70 in the championship game. John A. Logan finished with a 33-2 record including finishing the season on a 31-game winning streak. Debrick provided the winning basket in the title game scoring on a three-point play with under a minute to go.
Debrick was a standout at Lanphier High School in Springfield. He averaged 14.1 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.2 blocks per game as a senior. He finished the year shooting 72 percent from the free throw line.
Debrick helpled Lanphier capture a Central Eight State Conference championship with a perfect 9-0 record. He was named the Springfield State Journal Register Large School Boys Basketball Player of the Year following the 2020-21 season.
Debrick is joined by his parents Tanequa Harper and Kendall Debrick Sr. He has three siblings; sisters Kendra and Khloe and brother Sean.
