WILMINGTON, N.C. – East Lincoln High School two-sport star Keith Rendleman has signed a National Letter of Intent to play men’s basketball at UNC Wilmington next season.

      The 6-6, 210-pound Rendleman, who will play receiver for the Mustangs in this weekend’s 2A state championship football game vs. Reidsville, averaged 18.0 points and 7.3 rebounds for East Lincoln as a junior and will join the basketball squad after wrapping up his gridiron career.

      “We’re very pleased to have Keith join our program,” said Benny Moss, UNCW’s third-year coach. “He’s an outstanding player who will bring a lot to our team. He’s an athletic player with long arms who can score and rebound. Keith is also an excellent person who will be a great teammate and leader in years to come.”

      Rendleman is the reigning Southern Piedmont 1A/2A Conference Player-of-the-Year, and helped the Mustangs earn a share of the SPC regular season title one year ago with Cherryville. He earned All-Conference and All-State honors the last two seasons.

      “Keith joined the varsity as a ninth grader and has been an outstanding player for us over the last two seasons,” said Neil Hodges, Lincoln’s head coach. “We think very highly of him, not only as an athlete, but also as a young man.

      “I think his best basketball is ahead of him. UNCW has recruited a very solid player and a solid citizen. When he gives up football and track and dedicates his time and efforts to basketball, he will continue to improve and get better and better.”

      Heading into his final season at East Lincoln, Rendleman has collected 1,029 points (2^nd all-time), 545 rebounds (6^th all-time) and 123 steals (9^th all-time). He scored 35 points against rival North Lincoln and is just over 100 points away from becoming the school’s all-time scorer.

      Rendleman becomes the second player to ink with the Seahawks during the fall signing period. Ravenscroft High School center Matt Wilson made it official last month. The tandem will join East Carolina transfer John Fields as newcomers on the Seahawk roster next season.

-Courtesy UNCW