PITTSBURG — Pittsburg State University men's basketball coach Jeff Boschee announced the recent signing of three high school seniors – E.J. Breland, Landon Short and Maddox Teeter – to letters of intent to join the Gorillas for the 2025-26 season.
 
"We are very excited about the early signees for the 2025 class," Boschee said. "We feel very lucky to sign these three players to help keep building this program. We feel we got great guard play with the ability to play multiple positions. We were looking for kids that have enjoyed winning with their high school teams. We are looking forward to getting them in the crimson and gold."

Breland, a 6-feet, 1-inch guard, will come to Pitt State from Saint Patrick High School in Chicago. A three-time All-Conference performer, Breland is averaging 17 points and four assists per game early in the 2024-25 season for the Shamrocks. He garnered both All-City and All-State honors as a junior in 2023-24 and already has eclipsed 1,000 career points in the prep ranks.
 
"E.J. is a tough, physical guard who can really stretch the defense with his ability to shoot the ball," Boschee said. "He scores the ball in a variety of ways. He also creates shots for teammates at a high level. E.J. is everything you want in a guard, and he exudes confidence on the court. He has been well coached by his high school coaches and his father Derek, who enjoyed a successful college career."

Short, a 6-2, 155-pound guard, helped Stony Point High School to a 38-2 record and a Texas Class 6A state runner-up finish as a junior in 2023-24. The Round Rock, Texas native averaged 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals per game for the Tigers last season. Short is a member of the National Honor Society and carries a 4.0 GPA.
 
"Landon has experienced great success with his high school team!" Boschee said. "They play a tough defensive style and Landon's ability to guard the ball is something we are excited about! He can really shoot the ball at a high level and showed it every time we watched him this summer. He shoots and can score it in a variety of ways! Landon's high school team has high expectations to get back to the state championship game!"

Teeter, a 6-7, 180-pound forward, inked with Pitt State from Farmington (Ark.) High School, where he is currently contributing 10.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists early in his senior campaign. Teeter was an honorable mention Arkansas Class 4A All-State selection a year ago, helping the Cardinals to a 35-3 record and a Class 4A state runner-up finish.
 
"Maddox is someone I noticed his junior year at our team camp," Boschee said. "I loved his size, length and mobility at the guard spot. He is a great shooter and has expanded his game over the summer to score it inside and out. He also comes from a great high school program, has been well coached and has won a lot of games!"
 
The trio is the first players to sign with the Gorillas for 2025-26. Pitt State, an NCAA Division II National Tournament qualifier in 2023-24, is off to a 6-3 start to the season. The Gorillas travel to San Antonio, Texas to take part in the River City Holiday Classic next Tuesday and Wednesday (Dec. 17-18).