MIAMI (May 22, 2018) – Newly hired FIU Head Men's Basketball Coach Jeremy Ballard announced today the signing of 6-foot-3 guard Marcus Burwell from Richmond, Virginia (Thomas Jefferson High School/Northeastern Junior College {Okla.}) during the recent spring signing period. Burwell, who is Ballard's first signee as head coach of the Panthers, is expected to contribute immediately during the 2018-19 season.

"We are beyond excited to have Marcus Burwell join the Panther family as the first member of our recruiting class," said Ballard. "Marcus embodies everything that we are looking for in a Panther: athleticism, versatility, competitiveness, and a high skill level. He has been well coached at both the JUCO and high school levels, which combined with his work ethic and talent will allow him to have an immediate impact on our program."

Burwell played last season at Northeastern Junior College (NEJC) in Sterling, Colorado, where he averaged a team-high 19.7 points, 4.0 assists, and 3.4 rebounds-per-game for the Plainsmen. Burwell shot an impressive 50.9 percent (207-for-407) from the field, and was a stellar 81.7 percent (94-for-115) from the charity stripe. His scoring average was good enough for 36^th in the nation among all National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I schools.   

A pure scorer, Burwell recorded 24 double-figure scoring games at NEJC, including 11 games of 25-or-more points. He poured in a career-high 34 points twice during the 2017-18 campaign against Western Nebraska Community College and against North Platt Community College. In the contest against North Platt, Burwell fell just shy of a triple-double also recording nine rebounds and nine assists.

For his efforts, Burwell was selected to the NJCAA All- Region IX South Team.

Burwell began his junior college career at Clarendon College in Clarendon, Texas, where he averaged 14.8 points-per-game on 42.3 percent (159-for-376) shooting from the field, and 75.6 percent (68-for-90) shooting from the free-throw line.  

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