MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon men's basketball coach Jim Shaw has announced the signing of Christian Drayton to play for the Wolves in 2016-17.
 
Drayton, a 6-foot-8, 240 pound post player from Lufkin, Texas, played one season at Barstow Community College in Barstow, Calif. As a freshman this past season, he averaged 16.8 points, 14.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. He led his team in all three categories while leading the state of California in rebounding and ranking eighth in blocked shots.
 
"I am very excited to work with Chris over the next three years," Shaw said. "He has a very bright future."
 
He was a unanimous First Team All-Foothill Conference honors scoring in double figures in 21 games, including a career-high 30 against Chaffey College in the postseason. He posted 17 double-doubles and four games with over 20 rebounds. His career best for the Vikings came in the team's first meeting with Chaffey with 28 rebounds.
 
Barstow head coach Gerry Wright shared the following: "Western Oregon is getting a fine young man in every aspect. Chris is a leader in the classroom, on the court and in the locker room. He will have an immediate impact on both ends of the court. He is an outstanding shot blocker, rebounder and finisher around the rim. Chris has an excellent work ethic and is a relentless competitor."
 
Shaw singled out the effort of assistant coach Gabe Palmquist-Clark in finding Drayton.
 
"We had discussed as a staff the type of player we were looking for and Gabe brought Chris to our attention," Shaw said. "Without his diligence, we would not have been in a position to add Chris to our program."
 
Drayton joins the 2016 men's basketball signing class that includes Tristan Miguel, Ryan Lacey, Rodrigo Puliceno, Bryan Berg, Ali Faruq-Bey and Demetrius Trammell.
 
In 2015-16, the Wolves won the GNAC regular season and tournament titles, hosted and won the NCAA West Regional, and advanced to the Division II Final Four with an overall record of 31-4.