The countdown to tipoff is on, and Pickin’ Splinters has what A-10 basketball fans need to know about this year’s incoming class.
Today we cast our eyes upon the Temple Owls.
The Owls fell 71-64 in overtime to San Diego State in the third round of the NCAA Tournament. NBA draft pick Lavoy Allen graduated. Fran Dunphy and his staff have welcomed two freshmen to North Broad Street: Will Cummings and Nick Pendergast. In addition, Anthony Lee and Jimmy McDonnell gain full eligibility as redshirt freshmen.
Will Cummings 6’1″ 170lbs. G Jacksonville, FL — Providence School
Averaged 18.1 points, 8.1 assists and 4.0 steals as a senior at Providence School…Named First Coast Player of the Year as well as Coaches’ FACA?All-State team as a senior…Helped team to an 86-6 three-year record and school’s first state championship as a junior in 2010…Played for Florida team in USA?Hardwood Classic in Orlando in March, 2011…Outstanding student with a GPA?above 4.0 mark on a weighted system.
..Signed with Temple in early signing period.
What they’re saying about Cummings – Bob Gibbons/All Star Sports: “I had him ranked in the top 125 recruits in the country. He has good quickness. He can penetrate and dish as a point guard. He had a really good senior year. He will make an immediate contribution.”
Nick Pendergast 6’5″ 175lbs. F Bridgewater, Conn. — Kent School
Averaged 17.0 points as a senior at the Kent School, earning second team all-State honors…As a junior, earned honorable mention all-State wih 15.0 scoring average…Made team as a walk-on.
What they’re saying about Pendergast — Bob Gibbons/All Star Sports: “He’s going to be a role player. Down the road I look for him to develop. He will be a solid backup as a freshman.”
Anthony Lee (redshirt freshman) 6’9 210lbs. Columbia, MD — West Oak Academy
Red-shirted season due to a back injury… Averaged 23.0 points, 14.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks as a senior at West Oaks Academy in Orlando, Fla….Earned 2010 National Athletic Christian Association All-America honors and named to the 2010 National Athletic Christian Association tournament best defensive player…Was the MVP of the Sunshine Independent Athletic Association as a senior…Ranked as the 38th-best center in the country by ESPN.com heading into senior year…Averaged 14.8 points and 13.8 rebounds in 2008-09 at Eustis High School before transferring to West Oaks for his senior season. Selected for the Next Level Florida Amateur Athletic Zone Magazine Top 24 game in Fall 2009.
Jimmy McDonnell 6’10 195lbs. F Jackson, NJ — Jackson Memorial
Averaged 13.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game as a senior, helping Jackson Memorial to a 16-8 record…A first team all-Division selection in the A Shore Conference, he earned MVP honors at the WOBM Holiday Classic.
What they’re saying about McDonnell — Bob Gibbons/All Star Sports: “He’s a good perimeter shooter. He can stretch defenses. He will need to get stronger. Good recruit.”
Photos and biographical material courtesy of Temple athletics.
I like what they’re saying about Cummings. I think Temple has gotten away from that playmaking point guard and has emphasized size a little too much in both of their guard positions in years past. This is a dribble drive type game now (No, Calipari, you didn’t invent that), and you need a guy who can relentlessy get it to the middle of the floor and make timely passes. If he’s a true, pure PG, great pick up for my Owls.
The fact that Bob Gibbons had him ranked in the top 125 raised my eyebrows. Great GPA, played on a championship team in high school, Cummings could be the face of Temple hoops in the coming years.