Braves Ink Prep Standout Brackett To NLI

PEMBROKE – UNCP men’s basketball head coach Ben Miller has announced the addition of prep standout Shahmel Brackett to his 2009 recruiting class, it was announced Thursday, as the Wilson High School product declared his intentions to continue his playing career with the Braves.

“We are excited to add Shahmel Brackett to our UNCP basketball family,” said Miller. “Shahmel is a young man of high character that comes from a wonderful family. He’s had a very successful high school career and played for an outstanding coach in Bob Wilson.”

Brackett, a native of Florence, S.C., averaged 22.0 point, 6.0 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game his senior year, helping lead the Tigers to a 25-4 record and a second round appearance in the South Carolina state playoffs. During his final season, he was named the Shootout by the Sea tournament MVP, the Buddy Rogers Invitational MVP and was a finalist for the 2009 Mr. Hoopzone Award.

“Shahmel is a very athletic point guard who loves to share the basketball but can also score,” added Miller. “Everyone in our program is excited about his decision to become a Brave.”

He was also a participant in the 2009 North Carolina/South Carolina All-Star Game - one of only 10 players in the state of South Carolina to be chosen for the event.

During his junior campaign, Brackett averaged 18.0 points, 5.0 assists and 3.2 rebounds per contest. For his efforts, he was named the WHS team MVP, while also being named to the Buddy Rogers Classic and Holiday Classic all-tournament teams. It was also during his junior year that he was named WHS’s most improved player.

The son of Lance Brackett and Ena McCaskill, Shahmel has three brothers and two sisters. Brackett is a member of the A&B Honor Roll and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He plans on majoring in sports medicine upon his arrival to campus.