Here's a little bio on Armstead -- he's a good pickup save for the fact that WSU has to commit two years of scholarship to get him for just one season in 2012-1013..
Armstead was recruited out of high school but went to Chipola when he didn't get as strong of attention as he wanted -- even though they said this about him BEFORE his high school senior year --
"Lightning quick Malcolm Armstead...one of the fastest rising guards in
the class of 2008
Armstead’s performance...turned the heads of many coaches, while making
believers out of non-believers in his skill set. ....
Malcolm boasts a 3.5 grade point average as well.
....quick first step and superior on the ball skills.
South Carolina, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Michigan
State and Michigan and UAB fills Malcolm’s laundry list of schools. He hasn’t
made a decision yet, but stated he may make one soon..."
He changed AAU programs and high schools a few times like a lot of kids do...and landed at Chipola.
Wichita State was one of about a dozen schools to reportedly offer him back in 2008-2009 when he was a freshman at Chipola -
Link
But during the recruiting process he visited numerous schools -- and while he was doing so there was an odd negative buzz that caused several schools to drop out and stop recruiting him...in that interval he variously sent signals that he was leaning here or there but then backed off...
Note that on 2/23/09 they list:
"Iowa, Arkansas, Kentucky, Florida, St. John’s, a couple of mid majors, a
couple of Big East schools, a couple in the PAC-10 ...with Arkansas,
Kentucky, Washington State, Iowa, Wichita State, Colorado, Fresno State
and Providence" all reportedly offering. -
Link
Then just three months later, after Malcolm's season was done -- on 5/06/09, now the exact same recruiting service writer says that there are now only two schools still in the hunt ...both kinda bottom-dweller programs whose coaches are on very, very hot seats (and would each indeed be gone very soon) - Iowa with Todd Lickliter - a long time friend of Greg Heiar coach at Chipola, and all-of-a-sudden Ernie Kent at Oregon is calling and is trying to talk Malcolm into waiting and visiting Oregon - but has not offered! -
Link
Then later - there's a report that he commits to Oregon then another report that he backed off his commitment...
Finally, when Oregon also offers and signs Malcolm's close friend and Chipola teammate Jeremy Jacob, then Armstead also gives his verbal to newcomer in the recruiting race, Oregon.
So for such a talented PG -- who initially claimed offers from Kentucky,other SEC and Big East schools, it was a bit puzzling how his recruiting ended pretty much by Armstead signing with the only school left making any push for him and all the others dropping out. Go figure -- but many of the premium recruiting articles hint at something...
Then after his 1st season at Oregon - there's a coaching change, multiple player departures, some serious issues and
scandal, and Armstead asks for his release and wants out..but changes his mind and stays for his junior year.
Then Gregg Marshall at Wichita State actually hired Chipola head coach Greg Heiar ....just literally only a few days before Armstead proclaims he is done at Oregon and is going to transfer - and
he lands at Wichita...
As you know -- Chipola is always loaded with good scorers so that helps a PG's stats...
Here are Armstead's stats in his one year at Chipola..
35 games, 6.8 ppg, 53% FG, 66% on FT's, 2.9 rpg, 4.9 apg -- similar stats to Clevin Hannah the year before.
Here are Armstead's stats from Oregon - two seasons...
09-10 - 32 games, 10.3 ppg, 45% FG, 72.5% FT, 2.5 rpg, 4.3 apg
10-11 - 38 games, 8.6 ppg, 43% FG, 69.5% FT, 2.9 rpg, 4.4 apg
