Logan — Utah State men's basketball coach Stew Morrill announced Wednesday that Highland graduate Sam Orchard will join the Aggie basketball program for the upcoming season.

Orchard, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound guard, was a first-team all stater and 4A most valuable player. He averaged 16.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals a game while leading the Rams to the 4A state championship. Orchard led Highland to a 22-3 record, scoring double figures in 22 games.

"Sam has the potential to be a successful Division I basketball player and we are delighted that he will be a part of our program," said Morrill. "He is an outstanding student with very high character and good basketball skills."

Orchard plans on serving a two-year Mormon mission following the 2011-12 season.