Portland State Basketball has added a local product to its program with the signing of Deante Strickland to a National Letter of Intent. New Head Coach Barret Peery announced the signing, his second since taking over the Viking basketball program three weeks ago.

Strickland is a 5-10, 185-pound point guard from Casper College in Wyoming. A native of Vancouver, WA, he attended Central Catholic High School in Portland where he earned All-State honors.

"Deante is a really high-level, high-pace, high-speed point guard who can make us play fast," said Peery. "He has an extremely competitive nature that will fit with what we want to do at both ends of the floor. Coming from Casper College, Deante has been taught by Coach Dan Russell who has a fantastic track record and understands what to do to get kids prepared for the next level.

"We are also very excited about the chance to bring Deante home to Portland where he can play in front of friends and family. The fit is really good for all of us."

Strickland was the Region IX North Conference Player of the Year and honorable mention All-American this past season. He averaged 15.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game for Casper College. Strickland made 74 three-point field goals in 32 games, shot .771 at the free throw line and added 2.0 steals per game. Casper College was 24-9 overall.

As a freshman, Strickland averaged 9.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game. He earned third team All-Region for the 25-9 Thunderbirds.

Strickland is the second signing by Peery. Last week, Devyn Wilson signed with the Viking program. Peery was hired as the new coach at Portland State on April 10 and introduced to the Portland State community on April 13.

Portland State was 15-16 this past season. Nine players return that are letterwinners. 

NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT SIGNING
Deante Strickland, JR, G, 5-10, 185, Vancouver, WA (Central Catholic/Casper College)

PREVIOUS NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT SIGNING BY COACH PEERY - April 28, 2017
Devyn Wilson, JR, G, 6-3, 185, Brooklyn, NY (South Shore/Panola College)