Drake Bulldogs guard Colby Garland takes long way through Arkansas high school ranks, prep school to NCAA Tournament

Garland has been to four schools in four years

Drake basketball player Colby Garland’s basketball career has been a series of shifts and changes. But it’s a path that has led him to the NCAA tournament. 

Garland, a freshman, was a part of back-to-back state championship teams at Arkansas’ Magnolia High School starting with his ninth-grade season in 2018-19. He played his senior year at Maumelle High School after his dad took a new job in the Little Rock area. The next step was a year at the basketball powerhouse Link Academy, in Branson, Mo to play on their prep school team.

Colby Garland has grown into his role as a reserve guard for Drake, helping the Bulldogs to a trip to the NCAA men's basketball tournament. (Photo courtesy of Drake University Athletics)

By the 2023-24 season, he’d moved to Drake.

That’s three states, four programs in a six-year span.

“It’s been a long journey,” Garland said.

A year ago, Garland was watching the NCAA tournament on TV. Now he’ll be playing in it.

Garland, a 6-1 guard, has played a key sixth-man role for Drake. He’s averaging 5.8 points (sixth best on the team) and ranks third in assists with 69. He was named to the Missouri Valley Conference’s All-Bench Team earlier this month.

Drake (28-6) plays Washington State (24-9) in an NCAA first-round tournament game at 9:05 p.m. Thursday at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Neb. Washington State, which is ranked No. 22 nationally, is a No. 7 seed in the bracket. Drake is seeded 10th.

The Bulldogs finished 16-4 in the MVC and won the league tournament championship 84-80 over Indiana State.

A year ago, Garland was wondering where he’d land. When he tried to reach out to college coaches to assure them of his abilities and his sincerity, he got polite words of thanks, but no offers.

Yet he seemed to be an ideal candidate for a mid-major school such as Drake: A proven winner, a clutch and productive shooter and a recruit that had gone largely under the radar of the Power Five schools.

Bulldogs assistant coach Marty Richter spoke with him, impressed with what he’d seen and heard.

Garland didn’t hesitate.

“I’d take this offer in a heartbeat,” Garland said.

That’s the short version of Garland’s journey to the Drake campus. While it sounds simple, there wasn’t an easy, straight line in the sport, or his life, since he started high school.

There were the school transfers and a move of about 2 ½ hours away from his hometown, the arrival of COVID-19 in his sophomore season that required Magnolia to share the state title, and a horrific rollover ATV accident that tore up his arm.

Garland was a sophomore when he was driving an ATV. The gas pedal stuck as he was headed toward a fence and a grove of trees. He forced the vehicle down but became pinned underneath. The accident gave him nerve damage in one of his arms.

Colby Garland played for four schools in four seasons, but he's found a home for the Drake Bulldogs. (Luke Lu/Courtesy Drake Athletics) 

It could have killed him.

“God saved me, man,” Garland said.

Garland’s father, Chris, is a minister, and the family prayed for his recovery.

“We’re big on faith,” Garland said. “Dad told me that God preserved me for something.”

Chris’ job change resulted in the family’s move from southern Arkansas to close to Little Rock. Colby played his final season at Maumelle, averaging 18.3 points a game while earning all-state honors.

The family decided Colby could use an extra year after high school: For developing his basketball skills and maturing and developing as a person.

Link Academy in southern Missouri was a good fit.

It offered high-level competition while Colby improved his status as a college prospect. The school’s alumni in its high school program includes NBA players Julian Phillips of the Chicago Bulls and former University of Arkansas star Jordan Walsh of the Boston Celtics.

Garland used the new school as a transition to college. He learned how to live away from home.

“I think it was the best thing that could have happened to me,” Garland said.

Drake came calling. Another move, another opportunity to prove himself.

Learning to play Division I basketball was a challenge. He made mistakes, but the coaches encouraged him. Putting an arm around his shoulders and telling him that at the end of the day, he’s loved – it was a sweet sound to him.

“It felt like family around here,” Garland said.

Garland’s journey to college success took a while. He’s grown this season, becoming a vital part of an NCAA tournament team.

“Everything happens for a reason,” Garland said.

--John Naughton