ST. GEORGE, Utah – Trailblazer men's basketball added to its 2023-24 roster on Saturday, as head coach
Jon Judkins announced the signing of transfer center
Sammy Howlin. Howlin comes to the program with several years of college basketball experience, most recently playing at Fullerton College.
"Sammy has great length which will help us on both ends of the court," Judkins said. "He is a really good player with his best basketball still ahead of him, and we are excited to have him join our program."
Howlin started each of his 33 appearances at Fullerton last season, averaging 5.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 62.4% from the field, helping guide the Hornets to a 2023 California Community College State Championship. He scored a season-high 11 points in back-to-back victories over Santa Ana (Jan. 25) and Cypress (Jan. 27), grabbing five and six rebounds, respectively, while blocking one shot in each game.
He finished the season with two or more blocks 14 times, including a season-high five against East Los Angeles on March 11, also grabbing 13 rebounds and scoring seven points. In the title-winning game on March 12, an 83-73 victory over San Francisco, he finished with six points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in 27 minutes of action.
The 6-11 post player's career started at the NAIA level, playing one season at Jessup University in Rocklin, Calif., where he made 27 appearances in the 2019-20 season. He averaged 4.3 points and 4.1 rebounds as a Warrior and scored a season-high 19 points while grabbing 11 boards against Northwest Christian.
Originally from La Habra, Calif., Howlin averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds per game as a senior at La Habra High School.
Howlin joins prep guards
Angelo Kambala (Las Vegas, Nev./Liberty HS) and
Aric Demings (Desoto, Texas/Davenport HS), prep swingman
Tennessee Rainwater (Davenport, Wash./Davenport HS), as well as transfers
Beon Riley (Chula Vista, Calif./Hawaii) and
Jaylen Searles (Everett, Wash./Southeastern CC – Iowa) as the latest additions to the Trailblazer men's basketball program.
Why he chose Utah Tech: "Utah Tech gave me a chance… They trusted me when other schools didn't give me a chance, and that's why I came here."
