JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Lincoln University men’s basketball team will have a whole new look and feel to it on the court in 2010. With just a few players expected to return to the team from last year, head coach John Redmond has announced the signings of five players.
Of the five signed, Derek Stokes is the only local recruit, having played his high school ball at Joplin High where the 6-foot-3 guard posted 14.8 points per game, 2.1 assists per game, nearly six rebounds per contest (5.9) and a shade under a steal per game (0.9).
“Derek is a straight-up shooter that can just stroke the basketball,” Redmond said. “We were fortunate to get him, as he also visited Southwest Baptist and Missouri Southern, but he really liked Lincoln and it is great for us to get this caliber of a player and person and a kid that is from here in Missouri.”
Bryan Curtis, a 6-foot-5 forward from Sachse High School in
Texas, will be ready to contribute as a four-man. Sachse went 5-17 last year competing in the 5A Region II District 10 division in Texas.
“Bryan is a man already at 18,” Redmond said. “Body-wise, we will look for him to be a four-man. He is very athletic and can score in and out and do things defensively to give opposing teams problems. He is a maniac on the glass and will be a great addition for us.”
Paul Gentle, a 6-foot-6 forward from Cheyenne High School in Las Vegas, Nev., adds
yet another big man to the front court for the Blue Tigers, as he will also look to get some games in as a three-man.
“Ever since he was a junior I have been following him,” Redmond said. “He will be a great addition, as he is athletic and can play both the three and four very well. He will be able to get in and play with some of the JUCO players which will allow him to learn and develop even faster.”
A pair of transfer students from Israel and Ghana round out the five recruits.
Aviram Bohbot, a 6-foot-5 forward originally from Israel, transfers to the Blue Tigers after playing for Lewis and Clark Community College. At Lewis and Clark, Bohbot played in 15 games, tallying a little over two points per game (2.4), while also adding 3.4 rebounds per game and .5 assists per contest.
“Aviram is a very strong, athletic post player that can play the three or four,” Redmond said. “He is a go-getter and just works hard. He hustles on every play and is a solid scorer.”
Daniel Armah, a 6-foot-5 forward originally from Ghana, transfers to Lincoln after playing the past season at Lake Land College in Mattoon, Ill. Armah played in 29 games a season ago, posting over five points per game (5.4), over six boards per game (6.3) and over a half a steal per contest (.51).
“Daniel is one of the most athletic kids we have on the team,” Redmond said. “He will be a key four-man that will be able to help us a variety of ways. He can jump out of the gym, as well as being a strong kid and very intelligent.”