Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Ishmael El-Amin Returning for Senior Season with Cardinals
May 12, 2020 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ishmael El-Amin is returning for his senior season with the Ball State men's basketball program. The all-conference guard, after testing the waters of the transfer portal this spring, will finish his college career where he started it.
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El-Amin was an All-MAC Third Team selection last season, averaging 13.8 points, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game. His 77 made 3-pointers ranked third on BSU's single-season chart behind only Chris Williams (90) and Patrick Jackson (77) from 2001-02.
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The Minneapolis, Minnesota, product helped the Cardinals to a share of the MAC West Division championship and the No. 3 seed in the MAC Tournament before the postseason was canceled because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
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El-Amin will be one of nine returning letterwinners next season for a Ball State program looking to build on an 18-13 (11-7 MAC) campaign.
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Ishmael El-Amin on Returning:
"Going through the process of the transfer portal and getting feedback has been a learning experience, but at the end of the day Ball State is the best place for me. Muncie has welcomed me, and I would not want to be anywhere else for my last year. I am happy here, excited to get back together with my teammates and grateful Coach Whitford had a scholarship for me to return. I am ready to finish what we started together. We have a championship caliber team, we are as hungry as ever, and we are going to get to work."
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Head Coach James Whitford on El-Amin's Return:
"We are thrilled Ish has decided to come back. He is a terrific player and young man. It was with a heavy heart that we learned he was entering the transfer portal, but we supported him through that process. He came to the conclusion on his own that Ball State was the right place for him after all. I am happy for our team and fans, and on a personal level it means a lot to me. We have a longstanding relationship together, and I look forward to coaching him for another year as our program strives to reach its goals for the 2020-21 season."
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El-Amin was an All-MAC Third Team selection last season, averaging 13.8 points, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game. His 77 made 3-pointers ranked third on BSU's single-season chart behind only Chris Williams (90) and Patrick Jackson (77) from 2001-02.
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The Minneapolis, Minnesota, product helped the Cardinals to a share of the MAC West Division championship and the No. 3 seed in the MAC Tournament before the postseason was canceled because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Â
El-Amin will be one of nine returning letterwinners next season for a Ball State program looking to build on an 18-13 (11-7 MAC) campaign.
Â
Ishmael El-Amin on Returning:
"Going through the process of the transfer portal and getting feedback has been a learning experience, but at the end of the day Ball State is the best place for me. Muncie has welcomed me, and I would not want to be anywhere else for my last year. I am happy here, excited to get back together with my teammates and grateful Coach Whitford had a scholarship for me to return. I am ready to finish what we started together. We have a championship caliber team, we are as hungry as ever, and we are going to get to work."
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Head Coach James Whitford on El-Amin's Return:
"We are thrilled Ish has decided to come back. He is a terrific player and young man. It was with a heavy heart that we learned he was entering the transfer portal, but we supported him through that process. He came to the conclusion on his own that Ball State was the right place for him after all. I am happy for our team and fans, and on a personal level it means a lot to me. We have a longstanding relationship together, and I look forward to coaching him for another year as our program strives to reach its goals for the 2020-21 season."
Players Mentioned
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