The countdown is on, and Pickin’ Splinters has what A-10 basketball fans need to know about this year’s incoming class.
The Richmond Spiders take the stage for the next in our featured series.
The Spiders grabbed national attention last year with a run to the Sweet Sixteen. Kevin Anderson, Dan Geriot, Justin Harper and Kevin Smith graduated. Chris Mooney welcomes five freshmen who are signed, sealed, delivered: Kendall Anthony, Zach Chu, Trey Davis, Alonzo Nelson-Ododa and Luke Piotrowski.
Kendall Anthony 5’8″ 140lbs. G Jackson, TN – Liberty Technology Magnet
He was the runner up for Mr. Basketball Tennessee as a senior… Led his state championship team with 28.3 points per game, 3.8 assists per game, and 2.5 steals per game… Shot 46 percent from three, 53 percent from the field, and 88 percent from the foul line as a junior… He averaged 21.4 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.8 steals per game as a junior… Anthony was a two-time all-district and all-region selection and a McDonald’s All-American nominee… Kendall and his team were State Champions.
What they’re saying about Anthony – Bob Gibbons/All Star Sports: “”He’s a very quick point guard. Playmaker. He will push the ball down the floor, make good decisions when to dish off.”
Trey Davis 6’5″ 200lbs. F Richmond, VA – Benedictine
Davis averaged 15.3 points per game, 5.8 rebounds and 2 assists as he led Benedictine to the VISAA State Championship as a senior…was named All-State and All-Metro…McDonald’s High School All-American nominee…Earned Second-Team All-State VISAA as a junior, averaging 13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal per game… Davis was an all-region selection as a sophomore…Son of John Davis, a Richmond Hall of Famer, who played from 1982-86.
What they’re saying about Davis – Bob Gibbons/All Star Sports: “He is a good shooting guard. Well-coached on the fundamentals. Good perimeter game. He will see a lot of minutes.”
Alonzo Nelson-Ododa 6’9″ 210lbs. F Atlanta, GA – Norcross
He shot 64% of his shots from the field as a senior… He averaged 18.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and blocked 71 shots on the defensive end during the year… He was named Honorable Mention All-County by Gwinnett Tip-Off Club… He played in the Gwinnett County All-Star game… He had 4 double-doubles in the state tournament… Nelson-Ododa averaged 14 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks per game earning Region 8AAAA All-Conference honors at Winder-Barrow High as a junior before transferring to Norcross High for his senior year.
What they’re saying about Nelson-Ododa – Bob Gibbons/All Star Sports:”He’s a slender kid. Quick to the boards. Plays facing the basket as a power forward. May be their best recruit.”
Luke Piotrowski 6’11” 240lbs. C Atlantic City, N.J. – Atlantic Christian School
He averaged 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks per game as a senior… Scored over 1,000 career points… Named Two-time NCSAA All American selection… Named Two-time Tri-State Christian School Athletic Association All-Conference Scholastic Play by Play MVP… Named Tri-State Invitational Kick Off MVP… Was team captain his senior year… He averaged 11 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks as a junior at Atlantic Christian School, playing for his father, former La Salle Explorer and NBA player Tom Piotrowski… The three-time all-conference selection and McDonald’s All-American nominee… He was a preseason All-American nominee for the National Christian School Athletic Association (NCSAA)… He chose the Spiders over Arizona State, Boston University, Maryland, and Oregon State.
What they’re saying about Piotrowski – Allen Rubin/Hoop Scoop: “He’s a very skilled big man. Prefers to play face up as opposed to back to the basket, but he can play with his back to the basket. He must improve his rebounding.”
Steve Keller/The National Recruiting Report: “The knock on Luke was that he played too much on the perimeter at 6’9″, but he clearly has a perimeter game. He can catch and shoot out to 20-22 feet. He can put the ball on the floor, but he will have to learn how to protect the ball and not dribble into trouble. The pieces are there. He will have to learn when to dribble, when to pass and when to shoot.”
Bob Gibbons/All Star Sports: “He has a lot of skills. With his height he needs to add weight to be competitive. Good get. Can score from the perimeter.”
Zach Chu 5’8″ 160 lbs. G Dallas, TX – Highland Park
He was a Two-year starter and team captain his senior year… Two-time All-District selection… Led his team with 7.7 assists per game… He shot 84 percent from the foul line and 36 percent from the three-point field goal… Helped lead Highland Park to a 23-9 record and a district championship his senior year.
Photos and biographical material courtesy of RichmondSpiders.com.
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