JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (May 1, 2019) -- East Tennessee State University men’s basketball head coach Steve Forbes announced on Wednesday that Damari Monsanto (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) has signed his national letter of intent to play for the Buccaneers beginning in the 2019-2020 season. Chick-fil-A Johnson City is the title sponsor of our signing releases during the 2018-19 season.

Monsanto, a 6-foot-6 wing, averaged 28.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.9 assists this past season at Western High School. Following his stellar senior year, Monsanto earned Sun Sentinel’s Class 9A-7A Broward County Player of the Year honors. Monsanto led the Wildcats to the state regional semifinals, which was their deepest playoff run in school history. The first team all-state 9A selection poured in 25 points in the first round playoff win over Deerfield Beach.

“Damari is extremely talented, and he has the size and shot making ability to be a very good college player,” said Forbes. “He has spent a lot of time in the gym working on his game over the past few years and he will thrive in the culture we have established at ETSU.”

When it came to his decision, Monsanto really liked the culture that Coach Forbes and the staff have built.

“I really like the family atmosphere,” said Monsanto. “Coach Forbes has built a winning program, and they have a great coaching staff.”

Ken Kelly, the head coach of Western High School, said Monsanto is one of the best shooters he has coached.

“Damari is going to bring to ETSU a big-time ability to make shots,” said Kelly. “He is as good of a shooter as I have seen in high school, and he can make tough, contested shots.”

For more information on the Buccaneer men’s basketball program, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the men’s basketball tab.