Signee Hudson Finishes Senior Season Strong

Jimmy Hudson was second team all state as a junior and sophomore. photo courtesy of Chris McGonigal/Leesburg Daily Commercial

by Tyreese Ingram - Correspondent - Fri Apr 18 03:12:40 GMT-04:00 2003

CLEMSON -- With first team All-ACC guard Ed Scott leaving the Clemson basketball program, the Tigers will need all the help they can get in the backcourt. Rising sophomore Shawan Robinson, and incoming freshman Vern Hamilton will get the bulk of the minutes at the point guard position, but incoming freshman Jimmy Hudson is capable of playing the position if pressed into duty.

Hudson, a 6-3 180-pound shooting guard from Eustis, Fl, is a versatile player with steady ball handling and passing skills. He averaged 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 3 steals this season for a Eustis team that was one of the better basketball teams in the state of Florida. He has a reputation as a good shooter as evidenced by his 38 percent on three-pointers and 80 percent clip on free throws.

"Hudson is a premier three point shooter," said Rob Harrington of Prepstars.

Hudson was asked to move to the point guard position by new high school coach James Presley for his senior season. Although not the best move for Hudson's offensive numbers, it was the best move for the team, Eustis High’s scoring average went from 59 to 78 points per game.

"He really sacrificed his offense in order to play the 1 (point guard) and was very instrumental in getting the ball to Green(Wesley-Depaul University signee)," said Eustis High AD Vann Brackin.

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Although Hudson was slowed by ankle injuries all season and missed a total of 4 games, he was still able to lead his team to the Class 3A regional finals for the second year in a row.

"Jimmy made some great sacrifices,” said Presley. “He gave up personal accomplishments. He did whatever he needed to do to make us better as a team."

Hudson is the one of three signees for class of 2003-04. Clemson also signed 5-11 guard Vernon Hamilton from Richmond, VA and Lamar Rice a 6-7 forward from Flint, MI.

Hudson's 2003 post season accolades:

*Daily Commercial Player of the Year.

*Lake County All Area First team.

*Honorable mention All State.

*Played in the Florida vs Georgia All Star game where he scored 10pts.