It’s November. Almost time to tip off, and the Pickin’ Splinters series featuring the incoming classes of the A-10 will get you ready.
We move on to Rhode Island. The Rams 2010-11 campaign ended with a 66-54 loss to UCF in the CBI. Marquis Jones, Delroy James and Will Martell along with Ben Eaves graduated. Jim Baron and his staff have six freshmen that are Signed, sealed and delivered: T.J. Buchanan, Rayvon Harris, Jonathan Holton, A.J. Kemp, Dominique McKoy and Mike Powell.
T.J. Buchanan 6’3″ 195lbs. G Kalamazoo, Mich. – Kalamazoo Central
Averaged 18.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 8.0 assists as a senior at Kalamazoo Central…Helped guide the Maroon Giants and head coach Mike Thomas to back-to-back MHSAA Class A state 
championships…Scored a team-high 15 points to down Detroit Southeastern to win the 2011 title, while pouring in 28 points, 10 rebounds and six assists versus Battle Creek Central in the 2010 championship final…Kalamazoo Central was 76-7 overall record during his high school career…Was named the Class A Player of the Year by the Kalamazoo Gazette…First Team All-Michigan selection by the Detroit News as a junior and senior…Averaged 13.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 9.0 assists as a junior…Played with the King James AAU program.
What they’re saying about Buchanan – Antonio Curro/NY2LA Sports: “He has good strength and good size. He handles the ball well with good instincts. Does a lot of intangibles that don’t show up in the box score. He has range, but will need to work on consistency. He’s got some upside.”
Rayvon Harris 6’5″ 200lbs. F Raleigh, N.C. – Flora MacDonald Academy
As a senior, averaged 18.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.0 steals for Flora MacDonald Academy in Red Springs, N.C…Helped the Cougars and head coach Darrick Bond to a 20-6 record this past season and a trip to the second round of the 2011 NCISSA playoffs, falling to United Faith, 61-57…Earned All-Conference honors…One of two NCAA Division I signees from Flora MacDonald this season…Was named to the Headmaster List for outstanding academics…Played AAU basketball with D.C. Assault.
What they’re saying about Harris – Bob Gibbons/ All Star Sports: “He’s very athletic. A good pick up for Rhode Island. He’s got a lot of upside. He’s an explosive leaper who can slash to the basket. He can score at the basket.”
Jonathan Holton 6’9″ 220lbs. F Miami, Fla. – Coral Gables
Averaged 25.5 points and 15.5 rebounds per game as a senior, earning a spot on the All-Dade 6A First Team by the Miami Herald…Helped head coach Glenn Hyatt’s Crusaders to their second straight Greater Miami Athletic Conference championship, scoring 23 points and grabbing 18 rebounds in a 75-61 win over Columbus…Coral Gables finished with a 21-6 overall record, falling in the 2011 FHSAA state quarterfinals to Hileah-Miami Lakes…Was a First Team All-Dade selection as a junior, averaging 14.0 points and 11.5 rebounds per game while leading Coral Gables to its first GMAC championship and an appearance in the Region 4-6A semifinals.
What they’re saying about Holton – Bob Gibbons/All Star Sports: “He rebounds well. Plays either forward position. They strengthened themselves at the forward position. He’s wiry and will need to add some bulk.”
Allen Rubin/Hoop Scoop: “He’s a face-up four-man. A scoring machine. He can score inside and outside. Shoots well mid-range and keeps you honest from 3-point range. He’s a good fit for Rhode Island’s system.”
A.J. Kemp 6’2″ 190lbs. G Jersey City, N.J. – Hudson Catholic
Walk-on who enters his first full season with the Rams…Two-year letterwinner at Hudson Catholic H.S….Averaged 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists as a senior for head coach Damel Ling…Was an honor roll student and member of the Chess Club at Hudson Catholic…Attended Thomas Nelson C.C. in Williamsburg, Va.
Dominique McKoy 6’7″ 205lbs. G/F Atlanta, GA – South Atlanta
As a senior, averaged 20.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists for South Atlanta H.S…The Hornets, under head coach Michael Reddick, were 28-3 overall and 14-1 in league play and advanced to the third round of the Georgia State Playoffs, falling to Buford, 47-44…Won the regional championship in each of his four years at South Atlanta H.S….Earned All-Metro honors from the Atlanta Tipoff Club and Atlanta Journal-Constitution…He and fellow Ram newcomer Andre Malone attended the same high school and both played their AAU basketball with the Atlanta Celtics.
What they’re saying about McKoy – Antonio Curro/NY2LA Sports: “He’s a combo-forward. Athletic. Pretty instinctive. Hits the mid-range jumper. He’s got a long body. As he tightens his handle, he will become a player that can contribute. He’s active on the boards.”
Bob Gibbons/All Star Sports: “He will probably play power forward. Solid recruit. Very athletic. He will need to get stronger.”
Mike Powell 5’11” 175lbs. G Chicago, Ill. – Brooks College Prep
Averaged 18.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game as a senior for Brooks…Point guard helped lead the Eagles and head coach Bobby Locke to its first Chicago city championship and a third-place finish in the 3A Championship…In the City Championship game, totaled 15 points, six assists and three steals en route to a 67-54 win over Whitney Young…Earned MVP honors at the Waubonsie Christmas Tournament…One of four Division I signees from Brooks Prep from the class of 2011…An ESPNChicago.com All-Area selection, Chicago Sun-Times All-City, and a Chicago Tribune honorable mention All-State pick.
Photos and biographical information courtesy GoRhody.com.
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