Stanley signs with Drake

A Texas player with family ties to Brunswick County has signed with Drake University.

Craig Stanley will play for the Missouri Valley Conference champion Bulldogs next season.

Craig's father is Elton Stanley, the brother of Joe and Moe Stanley of Shallotte. His sister is Dianne Gatewood, and his grandparents were the late Earl and Alma Stanley of Shallotte.

Craig Stanley lives in Plano, Texas, and played the last two seasons for Collin County Community College in Plano.

Stanley was a 5-foot-11, 170-pound point guard.

“Craig has grown a lot since he’s been here,” said Collin County assistant coach Brian Burton. “As a freshman, he was forced to play right away. He’s grown with his leadership, and he’s shooting the three well. He’s getting by people, and he’s setting up his teammates well.”

“I think I will fit into (Drake’s) system very well,” Stanley said. “I like the coaches and the players, and they have top-notch academics, which is important to me.”

Stanley will major in business administration.

“It’s always been a goal of mine to play basketball at the Division I level,” he said. “That didn’t happen coming out of high school, so I went to Collin to work on my game, and now I’m achieving that dream.”

This past season, Stanley averaged 11.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. He shot 44 percent from the field and 34 percent from beyond the arc.

Collin coach Jim Sigona said Stanley was a solid point guard for two years.

“He’s a big reason for our success,” Sigona said. “Drake is getting an outstanding young man.”