Ethan Wilkinson signs with the Mississippi State tennis program

Itawamba Community College head tennis coach Paul Johnson announced Ethan Wilkinson signed a National Letter of Intent to play tennis for Coach Per Nilsson and the Mississippi State tennis team this season.

"It's a big honor to go down and play at (Mississippi) State with Coach Per," said Wilkinson. "I'm real excited to play in the SEC because it has always been a dream of mine to play big time tennis on the collegiate level."

Wilkinson helped lead the Indians to back-to-back Mississippi Association of Community and Junior College (MACJC) Championship and back-to-back appearances in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Tournament appearances during his time at ICC.

"Ethan is the complete package," said Hall of Fame tennis coach Paul Johnson. "He has meant a lot to us over the past two years and was a big part in why we were able to win two-straight state championships."

The Brisbane, Australia native won the 2011 No. 1 singles championship in straight sets over Mikail Pecherkin of Hinds and later teamed with Leo Prudencio (Brazil) to win the No. 1 doubles championship in April of his sophomore season.

He advanced to the Sweet 16 of the No. 1 singles championship bracket of the NJCAA Tournament and the second round of the No. 1 doubles championship bracket while earning a spot MACJC All-State Academic list.

During his freshman campaign, Wilkinson finished runner-up in the NJCAA No. 1 doubles consolation bracket and was eliminated in the third round of the No. 1 singles consolation bracket after bringing home his first of two MACJC No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles championships.