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Men’s Basketball: Triton’s Orange to play for Ferris State
Bryant Orange (front) signs his letter of intent to attend Ferris State University. Attending the signing were (back row, from left) Triton College men’s basketball coach Steve Christiansen, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Quincy Martin II
Updated: July 15, 2012 2:31PM
Bryant Orange of Triton College earned a full athletic scholarship to continue playing basketball at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich.
Orange’s Triton career had several accolades, including being selected a National Junior College Athletic Association Division II First-Team All-American in April 2012, following a 28-5 season that saw the Trojans rated third in the nation, the highest regular season national ranking in school history.
In addition, Orange led the team in scoring this past season with a 15.5 average and was named North Central Community College Conference (N4C) Most Valuable Player in helping Triton win the conference crown. He clearly was the center of attention for many college recruits, and he felt that attending Ferris State was the right fit.
“It was a long process in deciding where I wanted to go,” Orange said. “But in the end it came down to selecting the school I felt most comfortable and Ferris State was that place.”
Ferris State competes at the NCAA Division II level and ended the 2011-12 campaign with a 16-11 overall record after winning a share of a second-straight GLIAC North Division Championship with a 13-6 league mark. For Bulldog Head Coach Bill Sall, the addition of Orange is the third Chicago-area recruit he was able to land.
“We’re thrilled to bring in a high-caliber player with size and strength,” Sall said. “Bryant had a highly-successful two years at Triton College and he’ll bring a tremendous amount of experience to our program.”
As a freshman in 2010-11, Orange played just the second half of the season and had an immediate impact, averaging 12.4 points and took home Most Valuable Player of the Region IV Tournament in leading the Trojans to the national tournament.
At nationals, Orange’s play elevated even more, during Triton’s magical run that fell just short of a national championship. Orange in four games averaged 20 points to be named to the All-National Tournament team. His 24-point performance in the third-place game propelled the Trojans to a 102-98 overtime win over Erie Community College and a school record 31st win to end his freshman season.
Orange finished his Triton career with 767 points, ranking him 25th in the school’s history. But most importantly, Orange was able to finish his associate’s degree at Triton and will pursue a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management at Ferris State. Trojan head coach Steve Christiansen is excited in what the future holds for Orange and believes he will make Ferris State a team to reckon with in 2012-13.
“Bryant’s graduation and subsequent enrollment at Ferris State University has made me very proud,” Christiansen said. “Coach Bill Sall has done a very good job building that program’s stature and I think the addition of someone of Bryant’s caliber will push them straight to the top. I am anticipating big things from Bryant and the Ferris State Bulldogs over the next two seasons.”
Once Orange arrives at Ferris State, his goals are simple: “I want to earn my four-year degree and win a national championship,” Orange stated. “Any other opportunities that present themselves I will take humbly and live the plan that God has for me.”
