NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball head coach Rick Byrd announced Friday the signings of EJ Bellinger (St. Peters, Mo.), Michael Shanks (Bentonville, Ark.) and Ben Sheppard (Atlanta, Ga.) to national letters of intent to play basketball for the Bruins, starting in the fall of 2019.
Bellinger, a 6-4 guard, averaged 24.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game as a junior for Fort Zumwalt South High School in leading the Bulldogs to the Missouri Class 5A Sectional Championship. A 2018 Missouri All-State selection, Bellinger enters his senior season with over 1,500 career points.
"EJ is a wing player with exceptional offensive skills," Byrd said. "A 3-point shooter with great range, EJ can use that scoring threat to drive and finish as well. He is a tough, physical defender, and impacts the game all over the floor with his quickness as well as his rebounding ability. He has had many big games in big moments for an outstanding high school program. EJ's work ethic will impact our team in a positive way and is an outstanding student who will continue the tradition of excellence in the classroom."
Shanks, a 6-6 forward, averaged 12.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game on 59 percent shooting as a junior for Bentonville High School - the same program that produced former Bruin Nick Smith ('17). A 2018 Arkansas All-State selection, Shanks also shot 39 percent from 3-point distance a year ago.
"Michael is a tough, skilled player whose skill set fits our offensive style," Byrd said. "He can play the wing or the four spot in our offense and possesses the ability to score from beyond the arc or drive and finish. He is a physical player and will be able to defend a variety of players. Bentonville High School is a very successful program and Michael plays with a competitive attitude on the floor. Michael also excels in the classroom and as a leader on the floor, as well as off of it."
Sheppard, a 6-5 guard, averaged 13.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game as a junior for Greater Atlanta Christian School. A 2018 Georgia All-State selection, Sheppard led the Spartans to the Georgia Class AAA state championship where he was named title game Most Valuable Player.
"Ben is a player with the skills and size to play a variety of positions," Byrd said. "He has a point guard's handling ability and a wing's scoring ability. Ben is an outstanding 3-point shooter, can drive and finish at the rim or find open teammates as he draws defenders. With his size and athleticism, he can defend any perimeter position. He comes from a state championship high school program and is an outstanding student and leader at Greater Atlanta Christian School."
Belmont University men's basketball has earned postseason invitations 12 of the last 13 seasons, including seven automatic berths to the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins have won 16 conference championships since 2006 - third-most nationally over that span (Gonzaga, Kansas). Belmont is one of only six NCAA Division I programs outside the Power 5 to post Top 100 RPIs eight consecutive seasons (BYU, Gonzaga, Saint Mary's (CA), San Diego State, Wichita State). Belmont is one of only nine NCAA Division I programs to win 19 or more games 13 consecutive seasons (BYU, Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Louisville, Michigan State, North Carolina, San Diego State). Belmont University men's basketball boasts an NCAA-leading 16 CoSIDA Academic All-America selections since 2001 and is one of only three NCAA Division I programs to make the NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) Honor Roll every year of existence.
