Former ECA standout Winters inks pro deal

Former Excel Christian Academy standout and Columbus State University men's basketball player Rudy Winters has signed a professional contract with San Salvador, a member of Liga Superior, located in El Salvador.

Winters, who played two seasons for the Cougars from 2016-18, will report immediately as San Salvador is in the midst of the 2019 Liga Superior schedule.

"Rudy deserves this," said CSU men's basketball coach Robert Moore on csucougars.com. ”He never quit on his dream of becoming a professional basketball player and he now gets that chance to show his talents. I know for a fact that Rudy will continue to have that hunger to accomplish more and to make the Columbus State community proud wherever he goes,” Moore concluded. Current Excel coach Shannon Boatfield, who was a teacher at the school during Winters' time there, said it's great to see former Eagles be able to compete professionally. He also hopes it serves as a source of inspiration for his current and future players.

“I do think that his success shows the current and future Eagles that players at Excel can move to the next levels,’” Boatfield said. “Excel can still be the right foundation in your sport to help you accomplish dreams.”

With Winters’ signing, 12 former Columbus State University Cougars have inked pro deals over the last six seasons while 14 former CSU student-athletes making it to pro teams since the summer of 2010.

Winters' time at CSU was cut short after appearing in just five games in his junior season due to injury, but the wing showed his skills over 23 games in 2017-18 averaging 13.7 points on a 45.5 percent shooting clip from the floor for the Cougars. He showed his ability to knock down the three making twenty from beyond the arch while also chipping in 4.8 rebounds per game.