Former H.L Bourgeois Standout A.J Rainey Commits To Nicholls State

The former all-state point guard gave his pledge to the Colonels on Wednesday ensuring head coach Austin Claunch & his staff that he is staying home. “It just feels right & I like what they are doing with their program,” Rainey said. “They beat Pittsburgh & lost to Illinois in overtime. I was really impressed that they beat a team from the ACC & came close to beating a team from the Big 10.”

Rainey is currently enrolled at Blinn Junior College in Texas where he averaged 10 ppg & 6 apg as a freshman. Through 10 games this season Rainey is averaging 16 ppg, 5.3 apg, 5.2 rpg to go with a 49.1 field goal percentage. Rainey was a two time all-state performer in high school averaging 25 ppg his junior year & 30.1 ppg his senior year. 

It was essential that the Colonels keep the talented point guard at home & Rainey expressed the excitement of being able to play in front of his family on a regular basis. “It’s going to feel good playing right up the street from my family & friends,” Rainey said. “My dad drives over 5 hours to Texas to come to my games, so it’s going to make things easier on him & my mom to come see me play now. I can’t wait to have everybody from my area pack Stopher Gym to see me play.” ​

This will be the second talented guard from the area that the Colonels have done a good job of being able to keep home. The Colonels starting junior point guard Kevin Johnson starred at E.D White High School & has been one of the team’s best players the last two years starting every game last season. “I’ve been knowing coach Claunch since I was a junior in high school when he was just an assistant coach,” Rainey said. “I’m comfortable with him & his style of play. Coach Deloach came seen me play a good bit of times since I’ve been at Blinn & that showed me that they really want me.”

Rainey has Blinn Junior College off to a 9-1 start this season & he’s played a vital role in the team’s success thus far.