CAMPBELL NAMED NJCAA HONORABLE MENTION ALL-AMERICAN
The short list of NJCAA All-Americans is out, and Walter Campbell has made the cut. The sophomore forward averaged 19.6 points and 10.7 rebounds per game during his second season at Roane State, earning both All-Conference and All-American honors in his final season as a Raider.
"Walter is very mature, holds himself accountable at all times, and is incredibly competitive," Raiders Head Coach Alan Holt said. "When the leader of your team is that way, a lot of guys have no choice but to rise to his level of intensity and competitiveness."
Campbell, anointed as "The Double-Double Machine" by his team, started all 29 games for Roane State this season while leading the Raiders to the semifinals of the TCCAA/Region 7 tournament. He is the third All-American selection for Roane State Basketball in its last six seasons.
"His character is really the thing that helps elevate our program the most," Holt added. "We're big on having high-character guys who help us win games, and he is the prime example of that."
Campbell solidified himself on the court as a serious competitor, scoring over 1,000 points in his two-year career, but the way that he conducts himself both on and off the court is what has earned the respect from his coaching staff and leadership within the athletics department.
"Walt is the epitome of what you look for in a student-athlete," Roane State Athletics Director David Lane said. "He's a great quality individual, takes care of academics, and carries himself as a good representation of the student body in the college and in the community. If you were going to pick somebody to represent the institution, Walter would be the guy."
With his accolades on the court and in the classroom, Campbell has made himself into a hot commodity that can help elevate his team and his teammates. He now sets his eyes on an opportunity to continue to play basketball his junior year, and he makes no secret that he's driven by competition.
"Winning instincts — I just want to win at the end of the day," Campbell said. "I was just going out to win every game. I do whatever it takes to win, and that's what really motivated me and my team."
"It's an honor after the work I put in, and this team put in," he added. "This team put the work in, and we had good results at the end of the year."
More information about Campbell and the Raiders basketball team can be found at roanestate.edu/mensbasketball.
