Four Proviso West senior boys’ basketball players will continue their hooping careers in college next season.

Robert Covington, who was offered 12 NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division 1 scholarships, has signed on to play at Tennessee State University. The six-foot, seven-inch forward was named West Suburban Conference Player of the Year and was an All-Area selection in the Chicago Sun-Times Newspaper.  He was also nominated to play in three All-star games.  Covington has led the Panthers to victory time and time again. He averages 17 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks per game. Now he’s taking a full scholarship and his basketball success to Tennessee.

“All this is amazing,” said Covington. “I never saw myself being the athlete that I am today. My mom and dad always told me that without school I couldn’t play. So it wasn’t all about basketball. I had to keep my grades up too.”

His mother, Teresa Bryant agreed.

“I’m proud of him,” she said. “What can I say? I’m proud of my child. He’s a good kid. As a parent, I’m about grades first. Basketball was a plus.”

Other PW Panthers are also continuing their hooping careers while pursuing higher education.

Six-foot, one-inch guard Tremel Owens will be a member of the Lewis University basketball team next year. Owens earned All-Tournament Team honors at the Saint Charles Thanksgiving Tournament and second team honors at the Proviso West Christmas Tournament.

A pair of Panthers, Dionta Moore and Jeff Jackson, will also be teammates next year at Morton College. Moore, a six-foot, five-inch forward, was an All-West Suburban Conference selection and led Proviso West in steals. Jackson, a six-foot, four-inch forward, was a three year varsity player and helped lead the Panthers to a 21-7 record and West Suburban Conference Silver Division Championship.

“These students exemplify the best of both worlds,” said PTHS 209 Superintendent Dr. Nettie Collins-Hart. “They are scholars, and they are athletes. I am so proud of their excellence, and how they represent themselves, their schools, their families, and our district.”

Congratulations Panthers! We are so proud of you!

###