MSUB SPORTS – Six Great Northwest Athletic Conference tournaments and an NCAA regional tournament appearance highlighted the 2010-2019 decade for the Montana State University Billings men's basketball team.
 
Numerous talented players filled the Yellowjacket lineups throughout each portion of the decade, with the selections to the all-decade teams representing each of the rosters from the first year in 2010 to the most recent season in 2019-20.
 
"It is cool to see these guys get some recognition," said Yellowjacket head coach Mick Durham, who is in his third season in charge of the Yellowjacket program. "The team that won the GNAC tournament with Coach (Jamie) Stevens definitely stands out, which I saw first-hand during my first year at Alaska Fairbanks. I am very familiar with a lot of these MSUB players from the last decade, and I have enjoyed my first two years coaching here."
 

Day	Release
Monday, October 5, 2020	Guards - Reserves & Honorable Mention
Tuesday, October 6, 2020	Forwards - Reserves & Honorable Mention
Wednesday, October 7, 2020	Guards - Starters
Thursday, October 8, 2020	Forwards - Starters
Friday, October 9, 2020	Full Team

 

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The all-decade team features 15 standout players from the 2010s, organized into three tiers of five: The starters, the reserves, and honorable mention. The starting lineup features three guards and two forwards, there are three forwards and two guards on the bench, and the honorable mention list consists of three guards and a pair of forwards.
 

Position	Name	Playing Years
STARTING LINEUP
Guard	Marc Matthews	2012-17
Guard	Antoine Proctor	2011-12
Guard	Tyler Green	2017-20
Forward	Brendan Howard	2018-20
Forward	Jarrell Crayton	2012-13
BENCH
Guard	Kalob Hatcher	2012-14
Guard	Jaxon Myaer	2010-12
Forward	Robert Mayes	2010-12
Forward	Zharon Richmond	2017-20
Forward	Zack Rollins	2017-19
HONORABLE MENTION
Forward	Preston Beverly	2015-17
Forward	Emmanuel Johnson	2014-16
Guard	David Arnold	2011-13
Guard	Kendall Denham	2013-18
Guard	Jace Anderson	2012-17

 

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Nobody in the decade scored more points than guard Marc Matthews, who was selected as the Player of the Decade after finishing No. 10 in the MSUB record books with 1,280 points in his four-year career. Matthews was in the program for five total years including his redshirt freshman season, a stretch of time in which MSUB made three conference tournaments.
 
"I am proud of being able to say that I always gave all my effort into playing, regardless of the results." – Marc Matthews.
 
The star player on MSUB's GNAC tournament-winning squad in 2011-12 earned his spot in the all-decade starting lineup. Antoine Proctor made his only season for the 'Jackets count, as he was a first-team all-region and first-team all-GNAC performer averaging 18.7 points per game.
 
"MSUB's facility and student support of the basketball program. The family-oriented approach that the coaches and staff had with the sports programs. Lastly, the students and the community that came to home games to cheer us on. It was an amazing feeling playing in that gym." – Antoine Proctor on his fondest MSUB memories.
 
A recent graduate from the program was one of just three players in the decade to reach the 1,000-point plateau, as Tyler Green was picked to start alongside the aforementioned guards. Green saved his best season for last, averaging 15.7 points in 2019-20 and finishing his three-year career with 1,090 overall for the 'Jackets. When adding in his freshman season at Humboldt State University in 2016-17, Green scored 1,294 points overall as a collegiate player.
 
Brendan Howard joins Matthews and Green as the only other player to reach 1,000 points in the 2010s, as the junior-to-be cracked into the all-decade starting lineup. In just two seasons Howard has already scored 1,023 points, and he has earned all-conference recognition each year including GNAC Freshman of the Year in 2018-19 and second-team all-league last season.
 
Like Proctor, the fifth and final starter had just one standout season for the 'Jackets. Jarrell Crayton averaged 16.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in 2012-13, and was one three Yellowjackets in the decade to garner first-team all-conference accolades.
 

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The two most talented point guards from the 2010s are first off the bench, in Jaxon Myaer and Kalob Hatcher.
 
Myaer was the starting point guard on the team's championship team in 2011-12, a senior season that saw him average 4.4 assists per game to go along with 14.2 points. Hatcher inherited the point guard role upon Myaer's departure, and was a two-time all-conference performer from 2012-14. Hatcher finished his career No. 4 in MSUB history with 6.14 assists per game, while Myaer was close behind at No. 6 with 4.68 assists per game. They are the only two players from the 2010s to appear in the school's top-10 in that category.
 
"I just hope that I played and represented the right way. I never cared much about accolades, more so just the respect is good with me." – Kalob Hatcher.
 
Two of the most talented recent players also earned their way onto the all-decade squad, as teammates Zack Rollins and Zharon Richmond are two of the three forwards on the bench unit. Rollins was honorable mention all-conference in each of his two seasons at MSUB, and it didn't take him long to amass 893 points for a scoring average of 14.9 points per game in his career.
 
"The teams I was a part of were all so close knit and felt like a family. We all spent a lot of time together outside of basketball." – Zack Rollins.
 
Richmond still has his senior season in front of him, and has built himself into one of the program's key players over the last three seasons. The Billings native carries a career scoring average of 12.1 points per game, and he needs just four more blocks to break the school's all-time record of 97 (Chris Herriford).
 
The fifth reserve player is forward Robert Mayes, whose biggest performance came in the most important three-game stretch of the decade. A normally solid player in the Yellowjackets' lineup from 2010-12, Mayes put the team on his back at the 2012 GNAC Championships averaging 18.3 points and 9.0 rebounds. He earned GNAC Championships Most Valuable Player, before going on to score a career-high 29 points in his final game against Alaska Anchorage in the regional.
   

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The 2011-12 campaign stands out as the top performance of the 2010s decade, as the Yellowjackets claimed their first GNAC title and made their 10th appearance at an NCAA regional tournament. The Yellowjackets went 18-12 overall that season – the winning percentage of .600 standing out as the top mark of the decade as well. The 'Jackets entered the conference tournament as the fifth seed, before knocking off Western Oregon, Western Washington, and Alaska Anchorage in succession to hoist the trophy.
 
"That was a really special week. We had a very talented group of guys led by Jaxon and Antoine who basically just came together and wouldn't let the team lose. It's really hard to get to an NCAA tournament in the west region, and this group of guys made it happen. The league was the best it had ever been that year, and the best it was during my time in Billings. Our league that year had the 1, 2, and three seeds in the west region, and Western Washington eventually won the national championship. Our group of guys was the last team to beat them that year. For us to win three games in four days against that competition was truly a special accomplishment." – Jamie Stevens.
 
MSUB followed with a strong 2012-13 campaign, going 16-14 with Crayton assuming the team's superstar role upon the departure of Proctor. MSUB made it back-to-back top-five finishes in the GNAC standings.
 
After a two-year hiatus, the 'Jackets returned to the tournament in 2017 – Matthews' senior season, after battling throughout the year and claiming their spot in the tournament with a home win over Saint Martin's on Senior Night.
 
Durham led the 'Jackets to another fifth-place league finish in his debut season, as MSUB returned to the conference tournament in 2018-19 and finished the year with a 15-14 winning record.
 

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March 3, 2012 – MSUB 74 – 70 #15 Alaska Anchorage (at Lacey, WA) – Box Score | Recap
 
With just 3:08 left to go in the 2012 tournament title game, MSUB stared a seven-point deficit in the face. Over the next two minutes, Myaer and Proctor each had a 3-pointer and an assist as MSUB went on a remarkable 13-0 run down the stretch. Fellow all-decade selection David Arnold iced the game with four free throws in the final 49 seconds, and the Yellowjackets were GNAC champions.
 
"The feeling of winning the conference championship and going to the NCAA tourney was the greatest feeling in the world during my basketball career." – Antoine Proctor.
 

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January 29, 2011 – MSUB 63 – 62 Saint Martin's (at Lacey, WA) – Box Score | Recap
Tyler Barnes tipped in the game-winning shot at the buzzer, helping the 'Jackets to a low-scoring, exciting road victory. Myaer led the team with 17 points, nine assists, and five rebounds while playing 38 minutes.
 
February 24, 2011 – MSUB 80 – 64 Western Washington (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
Robert Mayes beasted his way to a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double to help the 'Jackets take down WWU at home in the regular-season finale.
 
January 21, 2012 – MSUB 86 – 77 #24 Seattle Pacific (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
Arnold led the team with 16 points – including 8-for-8 from the foul line – and Proctor added 14 to lift MSUB to a big home win over nationally-ranked SPU.
 
March 2, 2012 – MSUB 82 – 78 #11 Western Washington (at Lacey, WA) – Box Score | Recap
A 20-point, 10-rebound double-double from Mayes and 21 points and eight boards from Proctor lifted the 'Jackets to a semifinal upset of the No. 11-ranked team in the nation. It was the last game the Vikings lost that year, en route to the 2012 NCAA Division II national title.
 
February 21, 2013 – MSUB 74 – 69 Western Oregon (OT) (at Monmouth, OR) – Box Score | Recap
Crayton scored a career-high 26 points, helping MSUB to a crucial road victory over WOU down the stretch of the playoff push.
 
February 8, 2014 – MSUB 75 – 62 Alaska Anchorage (at Anchorage, AK) – Box Score | Recap
Jonathan Mesghna and Austin Hudson each had double-doubles to give MSUB one of just two road wins at UAA during the decade.
 
"The win at Anchorage was really fun. It was the last time we played in their old arena. I remember being close as a player, but losing every time I played in that arena. It was nice as a coach to finally get a W in that building." – Jamie Stevens.
 
February 13, 2014 – MSUB 102 – 101 #24 Western Washington (OT) (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
Austin Hudson had a 32-point, 10-rebound double-double, and Hatcher added a 19-point, 10-assist double-double to help MSUB upend No. 24 WWU by one point at home.


 
February 22, 2014 – MSUB 72 – 70 #13 Seattle Pacific (OT) (at Seattle, WA) – Box Score | Recap
Then-freshman Matthews connected on an overtime buzzer beater to lift MSUB to a stunning overtime road win over No. 13 SPU in a crucial playoff-positioning contest. Matthews had 13 points and six boards, while playing 44 of 45 minutes.
 
"The win at Seattle Pacific when Marc hit an overtime game-winner off an offensive rebound was a special night. SPU was very good and we were able to get them on their Senior Night on that occasion." – Jamie Stevens.
 
"Beating SPU at their place on a buzzer-beater from Marc." – Kalob Hatcher on his fondest MSUB memory.
 
January 15, 2015 – MSUB 83 – 78 Alaska (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
Jace Anderson poured in 27 points and the 'Jackets out-scored the Nanooks 16-11 in the overtime period to walk away with the home victory.


 
February 28, 2015 – MSUB 99 – 104 Central Washington (OT) (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
Antoine Hosley broke the GNAC scoring record with 50 points in an overtime loss to Central Washington on Senior Night. In his final collegiate game, Hosley made 16 of 25 shots and 16 of 18 free throws to reach the half-century mark. The record still stands.
 
November 21, 2015 – MSUB 82 – 80 Black Hills State (at Spearfish, SD) – Box Score | Recap
Jace Anderson hit a game-winning shot in the waning seconds to lift the 'Jackets to an early-season victory. Matthews led the team with 24 points and six rebounds.


 
February 27, 2016 – MSUB 86 – 85 Concordia (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
Emmanuel Johnson scored 17 points and his teammates sent off the senior with a dramatic, one-point win on Senior Night.


 
December 31, 2016 – MSUB 100 – 93 #19 Western Washington (at Bellingham, WA) – Box Score | Recap
Matthews scored 28 points while adding eight rebounds and five assists to propel the 'Jackets to an upset road win over the nationally-ranked Vikings. Anderson had 18 points as well, freshly returned from the previous season's knee injury.
 
"The New Year's Eve win at Western Washington was special for many reasons, but thinking about Jace in that win is what makes it most special. He had torn his ACL the year before playing against WWU. For him to come back, play really well, and help the team win on the road against a national power was memorable." – Jamie Stevens.
 
January 12, 2017 – MSUB 69 – 68 Alaska Anchorage (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
Matthews hit a game-winning 3-pointer with four seconds left, giving the 'Jackets a one-point win over Alaska Anchorage at home.


 
February 18, 2017 – MSUB 92 – 83 Saint Martin's (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
Matthews scored 23 points in his final career home game, and Kendall Denham added 15 points, six rebounds, six assists, and three steals to help keep MSUB alive in the postseason hunt.
 
"Some of my best friends were seniors Jace and Marc, and we needed to win to give us a chance to make the GNAC tournament. Earlier in the year they beat us pretty bad on ROOT Sports, so this game had a lot of meaning for us and gave us a little redemption. We came away with the win and it was probably one of the best games in my career. We ended up making the GNAC tournament." – Kendall Denham on his greatest individual moments athletically.


 
November 14, 2017 – MSUB 112 – 33 Yellowstone Christian (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
In the most lopsided game of the decade, the Yellowjackets cruised to a 69-point win over Yellowstone Christian. Green had a game-high 20 points and Rollins had an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double.


 
February 10, 2018 – MSUB 77 – 75 Simon Fraser (at Burnaby, BC) – Box Score | Recap
Despite trailing by as much as 13 points in the second half, the 'Jackets pulled off a come-from-behind road win. Rollins powered the effort with 27 points on 6-for-9 accuracy from the arc.
 
January 17, 2019 – MSUB 81 – 72 Western Washington (OT) (at Bellingham, WA) – Box Score | Recap
Green had 19 points, Howard added 17, and Richmond sealed an overtime road win with a 3-pointer as the 'Jackets picked up an impressive conference victory.
 
March 2, 2019 – MSUB 92 – 65 Alaska (at Fairbanks, AK) – Box Score | Recap
Facing a must-win road contest in the regular-season finale, the 'Jackets delivered in a big way with a decisive victory to punch their playoff ticket. Howard led the team with 25 points and Rollins chipped in 19 to get MSUB into the postseason.
 
"I am most proud of being part of a team that made it into the GNAC tournament. Even though we lost I feel like that was something we set out to do and we achieved that goal." – Zack Rollins.
 
December 13, 2019 – MSUB 89 – Rocky Mountain College 86 (OT) (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
Howard scored 23 points and the 'Jackets prevailed in overtime against their cross-town rivals.
 
January 11, 2020 – MSUB 92 – 91 Central Washington (OT) (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
Green hit a dramatic, game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer to elevate the 'Jackets to the overtime victory.


 
January 16, 2020 – MSUB 96 – 67 Saint Martin's (at Lacey, WA) – Box Score | Recap
Green tied the GNAC record for made 3-pointers, sinking a dozen in the team's runaway road win over the Saints. Green finished with a career-high 38 points in the perimeter shooting clinic.
 

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The Yellowjackets made a concerted effort to give back to the local community throughout the decade, most notably through the Team IMPACT program. On Halloween, 2017, the Yellowjackets signed then six-year-old Elijah Salley to the roster as an honorary team member.
 
Elijah has remained close with the team over the last three years, spending time at practices and other team events as he battles childhood cancer. MSUB was named a finalist for the NCAA Division II Award of Excellence in 2018 for its ongoing partnership with Team IMPACT, with Elijah being the third team signing within the athletic department.


 
"MSUB was a platform for me to showcase my talent and prove that I could play at the professional level." – Zack Rollins.
 
"MSUB has shaped my life by teaching me what it really takes to accomplish certain goals you set for yourself. It also helped me understand that hard work does pay off and going through adversity only makes you grow. I truly understand what it feels like to have an everlasting brotherhood with the people I played with, and that was a part of that season. It created some special memories for me that will last forever." – Antoine Proctor.
 
"The thing I am most proud of during my athletic career is the chance I was given. Coach Stevens and Coach (Brad) Schmit took a chance on a small-town Montana guy and gave me every opportunity to play from the time I stepped on campus to the time I left. For that I am forever grateful. The experience I had at MSUB really shaped my life for what it is today." – Kendall Denham.
 
"My time at MSUB helped me grow up and it was the first time I was really away from my family. It got me out of my comfort zone and created more opportunities in my life." – Kalob Hatcher.
 
"Being at MSUB has had its ups and downs for me, but I have learned a lot and feel that my time here has put me on a path to be successful throughout the rest of my life." – Zharon Richmond.
 
"My MSUB experience taught me how to step out of my shadow, and become a more outgoing person. That helped me for my experiences playing overseas so far." – Marc Matthews.
 

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With a pair of current team members in Richmond and Howard on the all-decade roster, the Yellowjackets figure to hit the ground running at the outset of the next decade. MSUB's 2020-21 season remains on hold due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but the team has a promising foundation to build on for the next 10 seasons of Yellowjacket basketball.
 
"With the new decade coming up, we have a nice base to build on. We are looking forward to setting a good foundation for the MSUB program for the next decade, and performing consistently within the GNAC. We would also like to establish a definite home-court advantage in the years to come." – Mick Durham.
 
"I met amazing people at MSUB that helped me more than they will ever know. I am thankful and honored to be an alumnus of this school." – Kalob Hatcher.
 
"Some of my best memories are with my teammates and coaches during road trips. You never think your time will come to graduate, but it sure does come fast! Spending time on the road with your teammates was some of the best times while I was at MSUB, due to the fact of the brotherhood we created." – Kendall Denham.
 
"MSUB has left a positive impact on my life, and all of the people in the athletic department have supported me always." – Brendan Howard.
 
"I just want to thank Coach Jamie Stevens for giving me the opportunity to be part of that special season. I want to thank the MSUB staff and faculty for believing in me and pushing me when things got tough. Lastly, I want to thank my teammates/brothers for that fun roller-coaster season. We had a lot of fun and will always be remembered as champions." – Antoine Proctor.
 

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About the All-Decade Project
The top student-athletes from each of Montana State University Billings' current varsity athletic teams from 2010-2019 have been selected, and 14 all-decade teams will be revealed throughout the course of the fall of 2020. Each sport's all-decade team is comprised of the top-performing student-athletes, with weight given to individual athletic achievement and accolades, team achievement, academic achievement, as well as community service. For more information on MSUB's all-decade project, and to view each sport's all-decade teams, view the all-decade project webpage online here.