Peter Dindinger — NMMI Sports Press
One of the most decorated basketball players to don a Bronco uniform will be taking his talents to the Division I level next semester.
Sophomore Khaleb Wilson-Rouse officially committed to the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif. to continue his career under head coach Damon Stoudamire, a 13-year NBA veteran.
Stoudamire was the seventh overall pick in 1995 as he went on to play for four different teams including the Toronto Raptors and the Memphis Grizzlies.
Rouse, a 6-foot-2 Chicago native, averaged 21.8 points per game to finish ranked fifth in the NJCAA in scoring.
"Being coached by somebody who's been in the NBA is something I've always wanted," Rouse said. "With him playing the same position as me, he's been to places I'm trying to get."
Rouse transferred from Bryant & Stratton College-Wisconsin in Wauwatosa where he had averaged 13.5 points while shooting 83.1 percent from the free throw line in 32 games played.
Upon arrival at NMMI, he made a big impression scoring 20 or more points in 11 games.
His season-best 39 points came on March 22 against Frank Phillips College.
Rouse shot 91.6 percent from the free throw line, which is finished third-best in the nation.
The impressive stats earned Rouse the distinction of becoming an honorable mention NJCAA All-American.
"It played a big role. A lot of people don't notice how much of an influence the school is," Rouse said about NMMI. "Not even with basketball but with education and also within the corps.
"It teaches you a lot of discipline, had nothing but time for school and basketball which ultimately got me to where I am right now."
Rouse also earned first-team all-conference and Newcomer of the Year honors from the Western Junior College Athletic Conference.
He led the conference in free throw percentage while he finished second in points per game.
Rouse also tallied 18 steals and 25 assists while grabbing 66 rebounds.
He made 36 shots from beyond the arc, landing a game-high five three-pointers on three occasions.
Rouse made 40 percent of his shots from three-point range while shooting 48.2 percent from the field.
Pacific finished 9-9 overall and 5-7 in the West Coast Conference this past season.
With his preparation gained from the junior college level, Rouse should make a big impact with Pacific.
"He was very instrumental in the success we had. Not only was he a great player, he was a great person," said NMMI head coach Sean Schooley about Rouse. "His contributions on and off the court were huge for us.
"Obviously, they're bringing him in to score right away. That's not gonna be a problem for him. He plays hard, he wants to win. He was very efficient in his work."