Gbolahan Adio (#0)
Six Foot Four
190 lbs.
sophomore
Guard
Cleveland, Ohio (Richmond Heights High School)
International Sports Academy
2022-23: Averaging 5.9 points per game, 2.9 rebounds per contest, and a little over one assist per night in 14 games. Has started 10 games and plays 19.1 minutes per night.
2021-22: Appeared in 28 games as a freshman. Averaged 2.3 points and 1.3 rebounds per contest.
"GB is an athletic wing who is one of the secondary ball handlers on our team, "NDC Guard Jaedon Willis mentioned. "He is a good catch and shoot guy in the half court."
"I had a previous relationship with GB going back to our high school days at Richmond Heights, "NDC Guard Jamarr Talbert stated.
Pete's Take: Adio is an excellent defender who gained some much needed experience last season. The next step for him is to improve his offensive game which he has done to an extent.
DeAirius Barker (#1)
Six Feet
165 lbs.
redshirt sophomore
Guard
Cincinnati, Ohio (Princeton High School)
2022-23: Averages 9.9 points per game, grabs 4.2 rebounds per contest, and a team leading 2.9 assists per night. Has played in all 14 games, starting one, playing 25.1 minutes per night.
2021-22: Appeared in 26 games, starting nines a freshman. Averaged 25 minutes per game, scored 6.7 points, grabbed 2.8 rebounds, and dished out 2.5 assists per game. Shot 39.6 percent from the 3-point line.
"DeAirius is one of the two primary playmakers and ball handlers on our team, "Willis explained. "He has a quick first step and wants to get to the rim or pull up."
Pete's Take: Barker is the floor general for this team. Another key guy on this squad. Has a really good shot and has a knack for getting into passing lanes on the defensive end.
Kaleb Torrence (#2)
Six Feet
174 lbs.
sophomore
Gainesville, Virginia (The Fairfax Christian School)
Millersville University
2022-23: Averaged 3.2 points per game, has had seven assists on the season, grabs 1.1 rebounds per contest and has picked up four steals this year. Has played 14 games coming off the bench playing 7.1 minutes per contest.
2021-22: Played in 16 games off the bench. Averaged 2.1 points and 0.8 rebounds per night at Millersville.
"Kaleb is a high end catch and shoot guy. He comes in and gives the team an energy boost, "Willis stated.
Pete's Take: Torrence will get some minutes off the bench to spell Barker or Willis. A transfer that should help in the long run. One of the better shooters on this team who can really wreak havoc on the defensive end.
Jaedon Willis (#3)
Six Feet
170 lbs.
senior
Guard
Baltimore, Maryland
McDonough High School (Chowan University)
2022-23: Is averaging a team leading 20.9 points per game, dishes out 2.2 assists per night, and hauls in 3.9 rebounds per contest. Has played in and started all 14 games. Averages 31.4 minutes per night.
2021-22: Played in and started all 29 games as a junior. Was second on the team playing playing 33.9 minutes per contest. Shot 43.4 percent from the field, 38.8 percent from the 3-point line, and led the team shooting at a 83.6 percent clip from the free throw line. Was third in the MEC in 3-point percentage and fifth in the conference in free throw percentage. Led the team and was fourth in the MEC tallying 20.5 points per game. Also led the team in assists (three per game.) Was second on the team getting 1.2 steals per night, and also hauled in 2.6 rebounds per contest. Had the seventh most free throws made (127) in school history for a single season, was First Team All-MEC as he puts up 20+ points in a game 17 times.
"Jaedon is an elite shooter and scorer who can get hot at any moment, "teammate Tyland Crawford said. " He is really good in pick and roll situations. Is also great at drawing fouls and is a capable defender."
"Jaedon is a guy who has always been reliable, "NDC head coach Mark Richmond said. " He has stepped up and makes big plays whenever we need him too. We are trying to make this a special year for him and the rest of this team."
Pete's Take: Wilis is a big key for this team, a pure scorer who is so important to this teams success especially on the offensive end. His streak of consecutive games scoring in double digits is no fluke. When it is all said and done he will be one of the best scorers ever to come to NDC.
Andre Harris (#4)
Six Foot Four
redshirt sophomore
Guard
Lyndhurst, Ohio (Brush High School)
Indian Hills Community College
Played at Wright State prior to NDC.
2022-23: Is putting up 10.6 points per night, leads the team grabbing 7.2 rebounds per contest, and dishes out 1.5 assists per night. Also has picked up 21 steals this year. Has played in 14 games starting all of them. Is playing 23.6 minutes per contest.
Crawford talked about Harris:
"Dre is an athletic forward that finishes well around the rim. Is an elite defender that can guard 1-4. Is also a leader and an underrated passer."
Pete's Take: Harris is one of the Falcons most prized recruits in a long time. A local guy from Brush who will start right away. Can score at all three levels and is a solid defender as well. Is also a monster on the glass.
Obinna Ugwuakazi (#5)
Six Foot Six
205 lbs.
redshirt sophomore
Forward
Brockton, Mass. (Springfield Commonwealth Academy)
2022-23: Averaging 5.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per night. Has played 12 games, starting one, playing 12.5 minutes per contest.
2021-22: Appeared in 16 games, averaging 6.8 minutes per game. Shot 57.1 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free throw line. Averaged 2.8 points and grabbed 1.6 rebounds per contest.
2020-21: Appeared in one game scoring four points and grabbing a pair of rebounds.
Ugwuakazi talked about the best part of being a member of NDC basketball:
"The best part of being a member of this team is being part of the culture the program is trying to build in every student-athlete, "The players build the culture as we continue to grow."
He continued and spoke about the team getting it's core of players back:
"Having a core group of our guys return only allows us to grow and continue to "hit it off."
"Expectations are difficult, you will just have to see for yourself."
Then he spoke about advantage at Murphy Gym:
"As we look to defend Murphy Gym has to be the great atmosphere that our fans and haters bring constantly."
He then talked about the progress he has made as a player and will continue to make:
"Practice makes progress and I specifically will continue to make progress."
He then talked about the competition within the conference:
"The MEC displays the best of the best throughout every program, and I can't wait for the NDC men's basketball program to take a swing at the chance to build something special this year."
"I built a relationship with Obi very quickly, "Talbert mentioned.
Pete's Take: Obi is another guy who gained some valuable experience last year that will come in handy this season. May have the best skill set of all the post players on the roster.
Jamarr Talbert Jr. (#10)
Six Foot Three
185 lbs.
sophomore
Guard
Richmond Heights, Ohio (Richmond Heights High School)
2022-23: Averaging 5.9 points and 2.6 rebounds per contest, has also dished out 15 assists and has seven steals on the season. Has played in 14 games starting 13, playing 21.9 minutes per contest.
2021-22: Appeared in 19 games as a freshman averaging 8.4 minutes per game. Shot 42.3 percent from the field and 40 percent from the 3-point line. Put up 2.9 points per night while grabbing 1.1 rebound per contest.
Talbert talked about the best part of playing on this team:
"The best part about being on this team is the brotherhood we have formed. It is like a second family. Most of us are away from our families for extended periods of time so having this group of guys to have your back makes the experience 10 times better."
He talked a little more about the team:
"I think everyone on this team is a difference maker. Yes we have our own guys who love the ball in their hands but I think this year we will be hard to scheme for from the starters to the last guy on the bench."
Then he talked protecting the home court:
"We treat "The Murph" like anyone would treat their home, we protect it. When someone comes to "The Murph" they are going to see how intimate the experience is. The crowd is right on top of you, and they can get loud. We have great pride when it comes to defending the home court."
"Each and every time we step onto the court we give teams our best game. We do not take any game for granted because anything can happen, so we put our best foot forward and fail to take anyone lightly. I strive to be as close to as perfect as possible both on the court as well as in the classroom."
Pete's Take: Talbert is a work in progress. Very athletic and can can do a lot of the intangible things as well.
Daylin Lee (#11)
Six Foot Six
200 lbs.
senior
Guard/Forward
Toronto, Ontario Canada (St.Edmund Campion Catholic School &The Rock School)
West Virginia Wesleyan College
2022-23: Averaging 8.2 points per game, grabs 2.8 rebounds per contest, has also dished out 15 assists. Has appeared in 12 games starting seven of them while playing 17.7 minutes per night.
2021-22: Appeared in 27 games, starting eight as a junior. Averaging 17.8 minutes per contest. Shot 41.7 percent from the field and 29.8 percent from the 3-point line. Averaged 8.5 points per contest which was fourth on the squad and grabbed a team third best 3.3 rebounds per night.
Crawford gave his thoughts on the Lee:
"Daylin plays the big position but isn't big at all. He is a three level scorer who is a good shooter and can get hot from deep. Is also an underrated rebounder and can defend all five positions on the court."
Lee was talked about by Talbert:
"I built a very quick relationship with Daylin."
Pete's Take: Lee is another big offensive piece on this squad. Having transferred from Wesleyan should be more familiar with the system now. Is an underrated passer and decent defender as well.
Tyland Crawford (#12)
Six Foot Three
200 lbs.
grad student
Guard
Woodbridge, Virginia (CD Hylton High School)
2022-23: Averaged 8.3 points per game, 3.6 rebounds and has dished out 19 assists on the year. Has appeared in 11 games while starting three, playing 20.6 minutes per night.
2021-22: Played in and started all 29 games as a junior. Was third on the team playing 33.3 minutes per night. Shot 45.9 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from the 3-point line. Scored a team second best 11.8 points per game as well as a team second best 5.9 rebounds per contest, was also third on the team with 30 total steals on the year, averaging a tad over one steal per contest.
2020-21: Played in 13 games, making 11 starts. Averaging 31.7 minutes per night, while shooting 41 percent from the field and 83 percent from the free throw line. Scored a team third best 13.4 points per game and grabbed a team second best 5.8 rebounds per night. Had 10 steals on the season as well.
Richmond talked about Crawford:
"Tyland is an older guy whose experience will really help this team."
Pete's Take: Crawford is one of the vocal leaders on this team being a graduate student now. Is very athletic and can help on both ends especially on the glass.
Darrius Bush (#14)
Six Foot Five
190 lbs.
Guard/Forward
junior
Martinsburg, West Virginia
Spring Hills High School
Penn State Mont Alto
2022-23: Averaging 1.9 points and 1.4 rebounds per night. Has also dished out seven assists. Has played in 10 games off the bench playing 7.6 minutes per contest.
Crawford talked about Bush:
"Darrius is a skilled 4 or 5 man. He can shoot the ball from anywhere on the court. He finishes well around the rim and is an underrated passer. Also can defend multiple positions."
Pete's Take: A combo player who is very athletic. Has really come into his own since his minutes have begun to increase.
Isaiah Sanders (#23)
Six Foot Six
220 lbs.
redshirt freshman
Forward
Detroit, Michigan (Cass Technical High School)
2022-23: Averaging 3.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per contest. Has appeared in four games off the bench tallying 8.8 minutes per contest.
Crawford talked about Sanders:
"Isaiah is a bully in the post who is a great rebounder and a great screener. Is also an underrated passer. His go to shot is the baseline jumper.
Pete's Take: Sanders is another player who redshirted last season after playing the COVID year in 2020. Solid post player that is a load for other teams to deal with.
Javontae Jones (#25)
Six Foot Five
190 lbs.
redshirt freshman
Guard
Beaver Falls, Pa. (Richmond Heights High School)
2022-23: Tallies 3.1 points and 1.8 rebounds per night. Also has nine assists on the season. Has picked up four steals as well. Has played in 14 games off the bench tallying 12.1 minutes per night.
2021-22: Appeared in 16 games, starting two his freshman year. Played 16.1 minutes per game, while scoring 4.9 points per contest and shooting 44 percent from the field. Was fifth on the team with 16 assists while blocking 16 shots on the year. Grabbed 37 rebounds, with 13 of them being on the offensive end.
2021-22: Redshirt
Ugwaukazi said:
"With Javontae it is fun to play alongside all of that raw athleticism."
Talbert talked about Jones:
"I had a relationship with Javontae from high school."
Crawford talked about Jones:
"Javontae is a high major athlete. He can defend all five positions. Gets a lot of deflections and dunks anything around the rim. He is also an okay spot up shooter who makes winning plays."
Pete's Take: Jones is a guy who can help this team in so many ways. Whether it be defending at a high level or slashing to the hoop. His offensive game is a work in progress though.
Yan Kankela (#34)
Six Foot Five
180 lbs.
redshirt sophomore
Forward
Lumbashi, Congo (Saint John High School)
Motlow State Community College
2022-23: Averaging one point and 1.3 rebounds per contest. Has appeared in three games totalling 17 minutes.
Adio talked about Kankela:
"Yan is a forward with great athleticism which compliments the style of play that we look to have this year. He has a nice mid-range game and can help around the rim a ton on both sides of the ball.
Pete's Take: Kankela is long and a JUCO that should help in the long run. Not getting many minutes yet.
Kam Taylor (#44)
Six Foot Three
185 lbs.
sophomore
Guard
Akron, Ohio
Spire Academy
2022-23: Averaging three points and one rebound per game. Has played in a pair of games totalling 11 minutes.
Crawford talked about Taylor:
"Kam is an out of this world athlete. If he has a clear lane you know a monster dunk is coming. Has also improved his handles over the years."
Pete's Take: Taylor may be the best raw athlete on this team. Does not play much but when he gets into the game you know the high flying dunks will follow.
Note: All 2022-23 stats are updated until games on 1/11/23
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