Former Francis Marion standout Jerome Lee signed full-scholarship papers to play basketball with Southern Tech University in the Atlanta suburb of Marietta.

“They have a nice program and the last five years they’ve attended the NAIA National Tournament,” Lee said. “I think it will fit my field of study.”

Plus, Lee said he likes the Atlanta area.

“That’s where I want to live at after I finish my two years of college,” he said.

“Jerome is an outstanding young man, very gracious and an outstanding talent,” Francis Marion coach Woodie Jackson said. “Now he’s continuing his education and we wish him the best of luck.”

Lee, who is an engineering major, helped lead Southern Union State Community College to the Alabama Junior College title in 2002.

The team finished sixth overall in the nation. He averaged 10 points in each of the last two years.

The forward said his time at Southern Union has prepared him for NAIA basketball.

“Playing my two years, I learned a lot more about basketball,” Lee said. “Anybody who can make it through that program should be ready for the next step, easily.”

Lee is accustomed to winning.

In high school, he helped the Rams to the 2000 state title, while earning All-State, All-Region, All-State Tournament and All-Area honors.

“He did a great job,” Jackson said.

It was important to Lee to come back to Francis Marion to sign the scholarship papers.

“Coach Jackson was like a dad to me, I felt like when I signed I wanted to come back and do it here in my high school,” Lee said.