Grant Slatten commits to Ole Miss after WCHS graduation

Sparta standout gives thanks to his parents, brother, and his hometown

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White County may soon be rooting for a different SEC team during basketball season as Sparta native Grant Slatten has committed to playing basketball for Ole Miss after he graduates from White County High School, in May 2021.

Slatten has played basketball his entire life, starting in the Sparta Youth leagues and working his way through school ball and travel ball. He said all of the hours in a gym, all of the workouts and sore muscles, the time traveling to get to practices and games, and the missed social opportunities have been worth it.

“There were a lot of sacrifices, a lot of distractions, but I had to push through,” Slatten said. “And now I am seeing it pay off.”

He knows the sacrifices weren’t all his.

“My parents made so many sacrifices,” Slatten said. “They gave up their weekends to take me out of town to play ball and get better at my game. They made sure I was at practices and in the gym. They made as many sacrifices as I did, and for that I will always be thankful.”

He also said he owes thanks to his brother who, along with his parents, supported him every game and, maybe even more importantly, after every game. Of course, he also noted his skills on the court are a direct result of all of the coaches he has had throughout the years and that he is thankful for the amount of time each of them have dedicated to making him into the ball player he is today.

Slatten said Ole Miss was not his first D1 offer. (D1 colleges range from smaller private schools to the largest universities in the US. The scholarship opportunities vary depending on the sport and the school. If you play football, men’s or women’s basketball or women’s volleyball, tennis or gymnastics all of these scholarships are full-rides.) In fact, he had four schools contact him prior to Ole Miss, but ultimately it came down to the connection he felt with the coaching staff and how he feels he will fit their basketball program.

“We had a few Zoom meetings, and the coaches were calling me daily and just really built that relationship,” he explained. “I think I will walk in and feel at home. There will definitely be adjustments - it’s a different level of athleticism and players. The game is really elevated at the collegiate level, but I think my style of play will fit in with their program.”

“Plus, it’s in the SEC, which I really like,” Slatten said, adding another reason he chose Ole Miss as the place he will continue his basketball career. “I really want to play at that level and test my ability and grow my game.”

But before he moves to a new gym with new teammates and new coaches, Slatten has plans for his senior season as a White County Warrior.

“I am really focusing on the team,” he said. “I would love to win a district championship.”

The Warriors have finished second in the district each of Slatten’s three years at White County High School.

He then mentioned the concern of every athlete during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Of course, right now, I’m also just hopeful we get to play this season,” Slatten said.

Before he leaves the teammates he has grown up playing ball with, he hopes he can leave them with words of encouragement.

“Work hard every day, respect each other, be kind, set an example,” he said, adding that one of the things his new coaches said was a selling point on offering Slatten a scholarship was their research showed them that he was a great person, not just a great ball player. “They always have eyes on you.”

While he will be crossing state lines and playing for what could be considered a rival team by many of his friends and neighbors, Slatten will always have love for his hometown.

“Thank you, Sparta!” Slatten said with great enthusiasm. “You have always supported me. The support and loudness you bring to our gym helps us win games. It motivates us to be better, to keep pushing. So, yeah, thank you, Sparta.”   

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