Tyler Junior College men's basketball player Jason Bush of Longview, signs to play for Texas State University during a ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019 at Wagstaff Gymnasium. (Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Mike Marquis and the Tyler Junior College Apaches have had a history of sending basketball players to the next level.

They continued that trend on Wednesday as four Apaches signed to play for Division I programs.

Jason Bush, a Longview High School product, is headed to Texas State University. DeAndre Heckard is going to Nacogdoches to play for the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks. Shahada Wells inked with the University of Texas at Arlington. Malik Lawrence-Anderson will continue his career at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Bush has made his mark on the defensive end during his junior college career, which will be a perfect fit for head coach Danny Kaspar and the Texas State Bobcats.

“I’m a defensive person first,” Bush said. “Being a team player, I know that defense wins ball games. He’s very demanding on the defensive end. The atmosphere and coaches there remind me of here. I feel like we will work get together to get wins.”

“Jason is an absolute warrior,” Marquis said. “He’s maybe one of the best human beings I’ve been around in a long time. They’re going to get someone that meets their toughness with what they’re trying to do. I can’t wait to watch Texas State play UT Arlington.

UT Arlington is where former Apaches Brian Warren and Tiandre Jackson-Young currently play, but both will be gone next year. Also at UT Arlington is Marquis’ son, McKade, and Wells will be joining the Mavericks next year.

“It’s definitely going to be good because he’s a competitor, and I’m a competitor. It’s going to be a battle,” Bush said.

“Playing against Jason will be fun,” Wells said. “May the best man win.”

Wells also said he’s looking forward to playing on a team with McKade and everything else about UT Arlington.

“I like the coaching staff, and it’s pretty close to home, so my family can watch me play,” said Wells, who is from Amarillo.

“Shahada is an explosive athlete who can score the basketball at all three levels,” Marquis said. “They’re getting a very good person, too.”

Heckard will play for SFA with former TJC teammate Cameron Johnson, who is already a member of the Lumberjacks.

“It will be really cool,” Heckard said. “I love playing with that guy.”

Heckard, who is from Joliet, Illinois, has decided to stay in East Texas for his final two years of college.

“It’s a good program, a winning program,” he said. “They’ve got a winning attitude to them. I know in past years they’ve been to the NCAA Tournament, and I know when I go there we can get there.”

“He’s a rock steady point guard who doesn’t make a lot of mistakes,” Marquis said. “They’ve got a lot of talent coming back, so he will be a good leader for them.”

Lawrence-Anderson came to TJC from Kingston, Jamaica, and he will head to Edinburg to continue his basketball career.

“I like the coaching staff, and they really wanted me,” Lawrence-Anderson said. “It’s a nice campus, and the weather is nice.”

“They’re getting a steal,” Marquis said. “He just gets better and better every day. He can shoot it with great size and athleticism. He’s an unbelievable student and person.”

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Earlier in the morning, TJC volleyball player Audrey Gun signed with Gardner-Webb University.

“They’re a Division I team, and I’ve always wanted to play Division I volleyball,” Gun said. “I really liked when I talked to the coach. I also like that it’s a Christian university.”

Gun, who is from Istanbul, Turkey, just finished her second season with the Apache Ladies.

“It was a great experience,” she said. “I love TJC. It will always hold a special place in my heart. I’m ready to move on to the next level. I’m looking forward to playing at a higher level of volleyball.”

“She’s a very good six-rotation attacker,” TJC volleyball coach Brandi Hood said. “She started with a lot of consistency and placement shots and then built power. She’s been one of our more consistent players as far as giving the exact same all of the time.”

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