2013-14 Men's Basketball Opens Season With SC State

Claflin University Sports Information Office

11/4/2013 10:26:00 AM

Claflin's Men's basketball will have a new look for the 2013-2014 season, starting with new Head Coach Ricky Jackson, who arrived on campus in late July, from Shaw University where he helped lead the Bears to NCAA prominence. He also served as to assistant responsible for recruiting, fundraising, and budgeting. His experience also includes being a successful Junior College Coach at Glouster County College, where he won 81 percent of his games (184-46), and began his career as a student assistant at his alma mater Virginia Union University, under the legendary Coach, Dave Robbins.

Coach Jackson has seven returning players from last years' squad, including three starters. The returning will be three starters Brandon Curry who led the team in assists with 69, and Jarrod Denard who averaged 7.9 ppg, and forward Marcellus Dunn third in scoring with an 11.8 ppg, the remainder of the returnees are Joseph Pellegrino, Quinton Nance, Alexion Void, and Babatunde Samusi. Coach Jackson will mesh those players with 10 newcomers. Anton Miller a 5-11 guard, Stockholm, Sweeden, Brian Newsome 6'6 guard, Raleigh, NC, Montez Singleton 6'1 guard, Charlotte, NC, Adolph Caldwell 6'0 guard, Columbia, SC, Calvin Long guard, Raleigh, NC, Tevin Bracey 6'3 guard, Bronx, NY, Montel Williams 6' guard St. Petersburg, FL, Warren Herald 6'4 guard, Sacramento, CA, Kendall Jackson 6'5 forward, Lima, OH, and Brandon Burke 6'7 forward, Raleigh, NC.

Coach Jackson's brand of basketball includes playing tough defense first, rebounding, getting out on the fast break, and using the three point shot as a lethal weapon, to go along with a strong low post game. Coach Jackson states, "We have the people to be a good team but we need to become a great team. We have been practicing extremely hard, paying close attention to the little things (i.e.) blocking out, rebounding, and making the extra pass. If all goes well we will be ok and put a product on the floor that the Orangeburg community will be proud of."

Claflin opens the season on Monday, November 4, 2013 against inter-city rival South Carolina State University at SHM on the SCSU campus.

Print Friendly Version