Flint native will play for BGSU Falcons

6-5 PG commits to Orr’s team

10/5/2012

BOWLING GREEN — J.D. Tisdale, a 6-5 point guard from Flint, Mich., will sign a national letter of intent to join the Bowling Green State University men's basketball team.

Tisdale made the announcement on his Twitter account and confirmed it in a phone interview.

"I felt comfortable [at Bowling Green], Tisdale said. "They showed me love from Day 1. They first offered me [a scholarship] about this time a year ago, and they were one of the first schools to offer.

"The coaching staff is filled with good guys, and the team is filled with cool guys. I like the new arena, and I like the campus. Plus it's only an hour and 45 minutes from my house."

NCAA rules prohibit BG coach Louis Orr from commenting on prospective players until they have signed their national letter of intent.

Tisdale transferred from Flint Northern High School to Swartz Creek High School before his junior year, and last season he averaged 13 points, nine rebounds, and five assists per game for the 14-7 Dragons, leading them in every statistical category but scoring.

"He's a very athletic guard — he's very fun to watch," said Tisdale's coach at Swartz Creek, Scott Wright. "He can do just about anything around the rim. He can get to the basket, and he finishes strong around the basket.

"He also has great ball-handling skills. He can run the point and push the ball up the floor, and he can run at two-guard too."

Tisdale's given name is "Dewrell," and he laughed when asked about how that became "J.D."

"When I was little, one of my uncles called me 'Junior Dewrell,' and that eventually got shortened to 'J.D.,' " Tisdale said.

Tisdale is the third player to verbally commit to the Falcons, joining guard Zack Denny and forward Garrett Mayleben.