HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University men's basketball coach Jim Yarbrough announced Tuesday that Elgin Bailey has transferred from Mississippi State and will be eligible to play for the Lions after the Fall 2011 semester.

Bailey, a 6-foot-8, 265-pound junior, will have one season of eligibility remaining after completing the NCAA Transfer Rule. Bailey, a New Orleans native, attended school in Hammond for two years, including his freshman year at Hammond High, before graduating from Baton Rouge's Belaire High.

“We're excited to have a player of Elgin's caliber join our program,” Yarbrough said. “We're excited to give a good, young man a chance to play close to home. As a senior (in 2011-12), we hope that we can give him a great finish to his collegiate basketball career. His ability and his size will give us a great boost heading into next season.”

Bailey played in 74 career games for MSU averaging 3.1 points per game and 2.2 rebounds. Voted a team captain for the Bulldogs prior to the 2010-11 season, Bailey started 11 of the MSU's first 12 games and averaged 5.8 points and 4.3 rebounds.

“It's a great opportunity to be here at Southeastern,” Bailey said. “It's good to be back in Hammond where I went to school for two years. I wanted to come to a program where I can contribute and help maintain its winning success. I had a great relationship with the coaching staff, particularly (associate head coach) Roman Banks who I've known for a long time.”

Bailey averaged 18 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks as a senior at Belaire, where he helped the Bengals to a 21-12 record and was a Class 4A Honorable Mention All-State selection. He was named to the Baton Rouge Advocate's All-Metro team in 2006-07 and was the District 6-4A Most Valuable Player.

TRANSACTIONS
SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA – Announced C Elgin Bailey has transferred to the men's basketball program from Mississippi State