Counting down the days to tipoff previewing the incoming freshmen of the Atlantic 10. Today’s installment features the Fordham Rams.
Tom Pecora begins his third season at Rose Hill. His Fordham Rams ended 2011-12 with a 10-19 record (3-13 in the A-10). This year’s Rams will be young with just two seniors in the lineup. Pecora and his staff welcome five freshmen to the Bronx: Travion Leonard, Nihad Musovic, Jermaine Myers, Ryan Rhoomes and Mandell Thomas.
Travion Leonard 6’8” 275lbs. F Raleigh, N.C./Kestrel Heights
A graduate of Kestral Heights High School in Durham, North Carolina… Played the 2011-12 season at Lee Academy in Lee, Maine… At Kestral Heights in 2010-11, averaged over 11 ppg and eight rpg for the Hawks as a senior… IN 2011-12, helped lead Lee Academy, ranked eighth among New England Prep schools, to a 21-7 record as the Pandas fell in the Maine Class C championship game… Chose Fordham over Duquesne, East Carolina, UNC-Wilmington, and UNC-Greensboro.
What they’re saying about Travion Leonard – Eric Vaughn Coach/Founder of Blessed IJN AAU Basketball and publisher of The Geeker Report: “He’s really skilled. A nice big man with a nice jump hook. If he stays in shape, he’s going to be really good.”
Nihad Musovic 6’ 185lbs. G Yonkers, N.Y./Fordham Prep
A graduate of Fordham Prep where he played basketball for head coach Kevin Pigott… Earned First Team All-Division honors in 2011… Played for the U20 Montenegrin National Basketball team in the summer of 2012, participating in the U20 European Championship in Slovenia… Also a member of the Fordham Prep soccer squad… Named First Team All-Bronx… Served as a team captain… Member of the National Honor Society.
Jermaine Myers 6’ 180lbs. G Ajax Ont./Culver Academy/ Lee Academy
Originally from Ajax, Ontario, but spent three years at Culver Academy in Culver, Indiana, before finishing out his high school career at Blair Academy in New Jersey… At Culver, was rated the 25th top senior in 2010-11 as he helped lead the team to its first ever Indiana state final appearance… The Eagles fell in the championship game to Washington, led by current Indiana star Cody Zeller, to finish the year 20-6… Finished the year averaging 19.8 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.3 rebounds in addition to shooting 50.6 percent from the floor… At Blair Academy in 2011-12, averaged 14.0 ppg and 9.0 assists/game and led the team to the 2012 MAPL Championship… The Bucs advanced to the Prep A State Final game where they fell to St. Benedict’s (28-1), the #5 team in the nation, and finished the year with an 18-7 record… Chose Fordham over Valparaiso, Western Kentucky, Vermont and Middle Tennessee State.
What they’re saying about Jermaine Myers – Steve Keller/The National Recruiting Report: “Myers is a good get for Fordham. He should help them as they continue to improve.”
Ryan Rhoomes 6’8” 235lbs. F Middletown, N.Y./Cardoza
Played high school basketball for head coach Ron Naclerio at Cardoza High School in Queens in 2009-10… Led the Judges to the Queens Borough championship and the PSAL Class AA title game where they fell to Boys and Girls, 55-50, at Madison Square Garden… Averaged 16.7 points and 11.2 rebounds per game as a senior… Did a postgraduate year at NIA Prep in Newark, New Jersey, in 2010-11, averaging 10 points, 5.7 rebounds and two blocks per game.
What they’re saying about Ryan Rhoomes – Steve Keller/The National Recruiting Report: “He is a big kid that can rebound. He has the possibility of being pretty good.”
Jay Gomes/NJHoops.com: “He is a big, strong athletic kid with good shoulders. Physically, he is ready to compete at the college level already. He can step out and shoot the ball. His post moves aren’t bad. He can score a little with his back to the basket. He’s got a chance to be a pretty good player.”
Allen Rubin/Hoop Scoop: “He’s a face up four , but when he wants to he can post up. he can shoot well mainly from the mid-range. He’s a good rebounder.”
Mandell Thomas 6’2” 185lbs. G Rochester, N.Y./Rush-Henrietta
A graduate of Rush-Henrietta in Rochester, New York… Attended Notre Dame Prep School in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, in 2011-12… At Rush-Henrietta in 2010-11, averaged 27.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.9 steals/game… Led team to the Section V Class AA1 title and earned 2010-11 All-Greater Rochester boys basketball co-Player of the Year honors… Also named All-County in 2010-11 and was the Section V scoring leader… At Notre Dame Prep, helped the Crusaders to the 2012 National Prep Championship tournament… Notre Dame defeated St. Thomas More, 80-76, in the quarterfinals before falling to eventual champions, Brewster Academy, in the semifinals… Was one of four highly recruited guards on the 2011-12 Notre Dame squad joining Myles Davis (who committed to Xavier), Sam Cassell Jr. (who committed to Maryland) and Adonis Filer (who committed to Clemson)… Chose Fordham over St. Bonaventure, Siena, Stony Brook and Eastern Kentucky.
What they’re saying about Mandell Thomas – Josh Harter/Gates-Chili High: “He’s very athletic and can play inside-out. At the high school level he can defend four positions. He was a late bloomer. He played varsity as a freshman. Physically, he wasn’t there, but you saw his potential as a freshman. You could tell he was going to be a special player. He’s a slasher, a scorer. He has a knack for finding the rim.”
Biographical information and photos courtesy of Fordham athletics.
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