The countdown to tipoff is on, and Pickin’ Splinters has what A-10 basketball fans need to know about this year’s incoming class.
Time for the Billikens of St. Louis to stroll along the runway.
The Billikens season ended with a 70-61 loss to Rhode Island in the opening round of the Atlantic 10 Tournament.
Rick Majerus and his staff welcome three freshmen that are Signed, sealed, delivered: Grandy Glaze, John Manning and Jimmy Remke.
Grandy Glaze 6’6″ 230lbs. F Toronto, ONT — Notre Dame Prep
Glaze spent last season at Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, Mass., the same prep school that produced current Billikens Jake Barnett and Jordair Jett. Glaze also attended Proctor Academy in Andover, N.H., and played AAU ball for CIA Bounce and Team Takeover Canada.
What they’re saying about Glaze — Bob Gibbons/All Star Sports: “Top recruit. He’s a tough competitor. Rugged rebounder. Best chance to make an immediate impact.”
John Manning 6’11” 230lbs. C Chantilly, VA — Chantilly
Averaged more than 12 ppg and shot 68 percent from the field his senior year at Chantilly High School … helped the Chargers to a Northern Region appearance … McDonald’s All-America nominee … All-Met fourth-team selection by The Washington Post … averaged nearly 11 points per contest as a junior as his team advanced to the Virginia Class AAA state semifinals … was a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and the 40th ranked center in the country by ESPN.com at the time of his signing … played AAU ball for Team Takeover out of Washington, D.C. Rick Majerus on John Manning: “John is an outstanding student-athlete. He has had a terrific experience in the classroom as an honor roll student, and he looks forward to receiving the quality education that Saint Louis University has to offer. John is good with both hands and has fine mobility. In an era in which there are few true bigs, John is a legitimate 6-11. His skill set is very good, but his heart is even better. He has a passion for playing and has done a very good job in developing both his upper and lower body. The watch word for John will be aggression. We think he can become an outstanding rebounder. Sometimes aggressiveness is impeded by high school officiating, but we are counting on John’s toughness and determination to help him become an outstanding rebounder. We are really looking forward to John joining the Billikens next year because of the person as well as the player he is both on and off the court.”
What they’re saying about Manning — Bob Gibbons/All Star Sports: “He’s a big, slender kid. Averaged only 12 points as a senior, but he has a lot of upside. He’s a face-the-basket post player. He has the height and potential, but he will need to get in the weight room to be physically effective.”
Jimmy Remke 6’4″ F St. Paul, MN — Hill-Murray
What they’re saying about Remke – Bob Gibbons/All Star Sports: “He’s a wing forward. Can shoot the ball. Will help them as wing or big guard. He has a good skill set.”
Photos and biographical material courtesy of SLUBillikens.com.
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