Release from Georgia State Athletics:
Charlotte forward Willie Clayton, who played at Thomasville (Ga.) High School, has announced that he will transfer to Georgia State after three seasons playing for the 49’ers. After sitting the 2015-16 season, he will have one year of eligibility remaining.
His paperwork has been accepted and he will start classes and practice with the Panthers this summer.
Clayton played in all 32 games for the 49’ers last season, making 22 starts and averaging 22.7 minutes per game. He scored 7.3 points and grabbed 6.3 rebounds per contest while shooting 56.8 percent from the floor.
Clayton ranked fourth in Conference USA and 53rd in the nation averaging 3.09 offensive rebounds per game. He was also No. 13 in the league in overall rebounding.
As a sophomore, he started 30 games, leading Conference USA and ranking ninth in the nation in offensive rebounds per game at 3.81. He was second in the league and No. 38 in the nation averaging 8.9 rebounds per contest, finishing the season with 11 double-doubles.
As a freshman, he was named to the A-10 All-Rookie team after shooting 57.9 percent to lead the league. He was named one of ESPN.com’s Top 25 freshmen after ranking third in the A-10 with 3.1 offensive rebounds per game.
“Willie is a talented big man who is going to be a huge addition to our program,” head coach Ron Hunter said. “He was highly-recruited coming out of high school and has had a very good collegiate career, especially on the boards.
“I feel as though Willie adds to an already extremely talented recruiting class and is going to do well in our system. I am glad he decided to return home to finish his career.”
Coming out of high school, Clayton was rated as the No. 34 best power forward by ESPN.com. He competed with the 22u USA Elite Team at the 2010 World Championship in France. He also played for the USA 17u Elite National Team at the 2010 Argentina World Tournament.
As a high school junior, he was named the GHSA Player of the Year averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Georgia State is coming off its second-straight Sun Belt Championship and 25-win season. The Panthers are one of just 20 teams in the country to win 25 or more games in each of the last two seasons after advancing to the third round of the NCAA tournament.
The Sports Inquirer 
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