Men’s Basketball Inks Local Product

BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana State Billings head men’s basketball coach, George Pfeifer, announced Thursday that Billings Central High School standout, Joel Barndt, has signed a National Letter of Intent for the 2009-2010 season.  Barndt is the first player to ink with the Yellowjackets in the spring signing period.

“We are very happy Joel chose to become a Yellowjacket,” Pfeifer said.  “We believe Joel is the best senior prospect in the state and he has a tremendous upside.  “We envision Joel playing a face-up position and, with his passion to play and get better, we see him having an exciting future for MSUB and himself.”

Barndt, a 6-7, 180 lb., forward, averaged 14.8 points and 9.5 rebounds for the Rams this past season.  He averaged 3.3 blocks per game, to go along with 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals.  He shot 52 percent from the field, 75 percent from the line and 36 percent from downtown. 

“I chose MSUB because I feel like it is a perfect fit for me both academically and athletically,” Barndt said.  “I am really comfortable with the coaching staff and the basketball program.  I feel that the team is moving forward in a positive direction and I share the same goals and determination as the entire program.”

Barndt helped lead the Rams to back-to-back Eastern A Divisional Championships.  Billings Central finished fourth at state his junior year and third his senior year.  He was a first team all-conference selection as a senior, as well as an all-state first steam selection and named first team all-state A tournament.  In addition, he played on the Montana-Wyoming All-Star team.

He joins Tyrone Williams who signed with MSUB last fall.  Williams is a junior college transfer from Miles Community College and hails from Houston, Texas.  Williams is a 6-6 sophomore forward who averaged 10.3 points and 6.4 rebounds this past season.