CANYON, Texas – West Texas A&M head men's basketball coach Tom Brown announced Friday the signing of Mar'Qualen (Qua) Grant for the 2017-18 season.  He is a 6-0 guard from Waxahachie, Texas. 
 
"Qua is a perfect fit for what we like to do here at West Texas A&M," WT head coach Tom Brown said.  "We worked hard to get Qua as he was our number one recruit at the guard position.  We really needed a proven winner as we lose a strong senior backcourt this season.  Coach Henderson did a great job of identifying Qua early in the recruiting process and we followed him all summer."
 
Grant, shot 59 percent from the field and averaged 15.3 points per game for Waxahachie High School, while averaging six rebounds per game, four steals per game and six assists per contest.  He was a first team all-district 10-5A selection last season and was named the 2016-17 Newcomer of the Year in District 10-5A.  Last season, Grant helped lead his team to a 29-7 record and 14-0 in district play, while finishing the season as the 5A Region 2 semifinalist. 
 
"Qua is an unbelievable player, but an even better person," Waxahachie High School head coach Greg Gober said.  "His work ethic and desire to succeed are at an extremely high level.  He has a strong basketball IQ allowing him to separate himself from other talented players.  He also has the ability to create a shot for himself or his teammates.  He will always do what is best for the team to win."
 
He also competed in AAU for head coach Brandon Ray.  Grant helped lead his team to the title of the Adidas Gauntlet Tournament in South Carolina.  It was the first time a Texas team had won the tournament. 
 
"Qua will come in and play right away for us and we are counting on him to be a leader even though he will be just a freshman," Brown added.  "He has won at all levels and is a true team player with great skills on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.  Qua is a player who other guys will really enjoy playing with as he is a lockdown defender who takes pride in his defense.  Offensively he can score in numerous ways as he has deep range, a nice mid-range pull-up and can really get going downhill to attack the tin.  We are very excited to have Qua join our squad next year."
 
The No. 21-ranked Buffs open the 2017-18 season Friday evening at 7 p.m. in the First United Bank Center against Adams State.