University of Illinois forward Devin Langford will transfer to eight-time NCAA Division II Champion Kentucky Wesleyan College for his final three years of eligibility, according to new KWC head men's basketball coach Happy Osborne.
Langford, a 6-foot-7, 200-pound native of Huntsville, Ala. (Robert E. Lee High School), played in 22 games where he averaged 4.3 minutes and nearly one point and one rebound in helping the Fighting Illini to a 23-13 record and the NCAA Third Round as a redshirt-freshman. He sat out the 2011-12 season with an injury.
"Devin's addition to our program is huge," said Osborne. "He's a highly skilled and versatile athlete. He will create mismatched opportunities which will cause havoc for our foes because of his gift to play both ends of the court either from outside or inside.
"He can step out to shoot the three, put the ball on the floor and get to the basket or play in the paint. His quickness and leaping ability fuels his defensive talents by mirroring his opponent, aggressive rebounding and altering shots.
"It's just so nice to have a quality student-athlete of his talent and character come to Kentucky Wesleyan College."
Langford earned 2011 first team All-State recognition by the Alabama Sports Writers Association at Lee where he averaged 17.4 points and 7.0 assists in leading the Generals to the Alabama Class 5A State Championship game with a 27-9 record as a senior for head coach Gregory Brown.
The Generals won the 2010 State Class 5A title with a 21-10 record where Langford was a second team ASWA All-State choice.
His senior postseason honors include a second straight AHSAA All-State Tournament Team recognition, Elite First-Team selection by the Huntsville Times; No. 3-ranked Super Senior recognition by the Birmingham News; and playing in the 21st annual Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic.
He is the son of James and Kimberly Langford of Huntsville and has one sister and two brothers.
Langford joins November signee Logan O'Bryan, a 6-foot-4 swingman from Daviess County High School in Owensboro, for the 2013-14 recruiting class.
The Panther's return four starters and five letterwinners from their 20-8 squad along with three redshirts.
