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His journey continues

Pierrelus to continue basketball career at Franklin Pierce University

News Photo by Jonny Zawacki TOP: Jameson Pierrelus signs on to continue his academic and athletic career at Division II Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire. Pierrelus is joined by Alpena Community College head basketball coach Mark Jacobs.

For Jameson Pierrelus, his basketball journey will continue.

Pierrelus spent the past two seasons playing for Alpena Community College. During his time as a Lumberjack, Pierrelus was a force each time he stepped on the floor, thanks to his freakish athleticism and ability.

The 6-foot-5, 207 pound sophomore with a 7-foot wingspan averaged 15.3 points per game, 8.7 rebounds and nearly two blocks per contest while possessing the ability to score from anywhere on the floor.

His talents caught the eye of Franklin Pierce University head coach coach David Chadbourne and on Friday Pierrelus made it official that he would be a Raven for the next two seasons.

“This day means a lot. I have been dreaming of this moment since graduating and I know coming into college I needed to work hard and I have been working hard. I understand that working hard beats talent and I’m going to continue to work hard, work on my game and perfect my craft,” Pierrelus said. “This moment right here to get a call and a full scholarship means a lot to me and my family.”

Courtesy Photo Jameson Pierrelus (middle) is shown with some of his family members after his high school graduation. Left to right: Jack Pierrelus, Elius Pierrelus, Jameson Pierrelus, Tyson Pierrelus and Jude Pierrelus.

It has been quite the journey for Pierrelus to get to this point.

In 1990 his parents, who were Haitian refugees, came to the United States to give their family more opportunities. Pierrelus came over with his parents from Haiti to Florida. Pierrelus spent his childhood in Florida and went to high school at Martin County in Stuart, Florida. Former ACC basketball player Jeremy Williams contacted ACC who was looking for a big man at the time. Pierrelus and Michael Stuart were AAU teammates in Florida and the two joined the Lumberjacks for the 2015-2016 season.

“Coming from a winning team in high school where we were very successful in Florida to coming here was a culture shock. Seeing snow from the first time and then experiencing a losing season, knowing me just being a defender is not what the team was looking for so I had to work harder on my offensive game and did whatever I needed to in order to get better,” Pierrelus said. “My goals for Franklin Pierce is helping them finish with a winning season and get my degree. They are getting a defender, a competitor, a person that motivates teammates, a person who is willing to do whatever is needed to make the team better and a person who just loves playing basketball.”

The Ravens finished with a 14-12 overall record last season and have not experienced a losing season since 2011. FPU, a Division II university in New Hampshire was looking for an athletic big man and that is exactly what they will be getting when Pierrelus arrives on campus on the fall.

“I am extremely pleased. It’s just a happy day for Jameson and Alpena Community College basketball,” ACC coach Mark Jacobs said. “Franklin Pierce was looking for a leader and an athlete. I expect Jameson to go there and do great things and I think he’s the exactly what they are looking for in a player.”

Despite the past few years being a struggle for Lumberjacks as a team, Pierrelus enjoyed individual success and has worked hard to become the player that he is and his hard work continues to pay off as his journey continues.

“I want to thank God first and foremost because without him I wouldn’t be here. I’d like to thank my family for trusting in me to travel so far from home and to become a man,” Pierrelus said. “I’d like to thank my coaches, especially coach Jacobs and coach (Bobby) Allen for trusting me and motivating me to get better. I want to thank the fans for coming out and supporting us even though sometimes the results weren’t great I was always proud to wear Alpena on my chest.”

Jonny Zawacki can be reached via email at jzawacki@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5690.

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