Elliott, a 6-foot-1 sophomore guard from Houston, will attend the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) in the fall, where he plans to study sports business. UTRGV is based in Edinburg, Texas, and competes in the Western Athletic Conference.
In his lone season as a Buccaneer, Elliott helped Blinn to a 23-8 overall record and a 16-3 finish in the Region XIV South Zone. He averaged team highs in points (16.7) and assists (3.6), and posted eight games with 20-plus points, including a season-high 27 in his team’s regular-season finale. Elliott was named a first-team all-region and first-team all-South conference selection and was also selected as NJCAA Division I Basketball All-American.
Elliott began his career at the Division I level before transferring to Blinn.
“Blinn provided me with another opportunity to better myself and trust the work that I’ve put in to be a better basketball player,” Elliott said. “Coming here was a great decision and I wouldn’t change anything. I came here for another opportunity and my coaches and teammates helped me earn that chance.”
Elliott added that he hopes to make an immediate impact for the Vaqueros.
“I’m looking forward to helping my team make a trip to the NCAA Tournament, winning a lot of games, and having a fun and successful career in Edinburg,” he said.
Tsynkevic, a 6-foot-10 sophomore forward/center from Minsk, Belarus, will attend Alcorn State (Lorman, Miss.) in the fall. Tsynkevich helped the Bucs win 40 games during his two seasons at Blinn. He averaged 10.1 points and 6.2 rebounds as a freshman and finished with 7.2 points and 5.3 boards per game this season.
(Pictured: Blinn’s Alrx Tsynkevich, seated second from right, sits with, from left, Blinn assistant coach Adam Schwartz, head coach Scott Schumacher, and assistant coach Jermelle Fraser while surrounded by his teammates on May 9)
Tsynkevich, who will pursue a degree in business administration, said he’s looking forward to competing in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and added that he welcomes the challenges of the Division I level.
“Blinn taught me that every day is a grind, and that you have to be willing to work hard and improve every day,” Tsynkevich explained. “Being here has prepared me for the next level, and I’m ready to compete against some of the most talented and skilled players in the country. Knowing my work ethic and knowing my commitment, I’m just going to battle and adjust.”
The Blinn men’s basketball team is led by head coach Scott Schumacher, who is aided by assistant coaches Adam Schwartz and Jermelle Fraser.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 43 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
