Closing out the preview of the MAAC’s incoming freshmen with the Fairfield Stags. In his first year at the helm, Sydney Johnson and his Fairfield Stags fell 48-44 to Loyola in the MAAC title game. Fairfield went on to advance to the semi-final round of the CIT Tournament. Rakim Sanders and Ryan Olander graduated from that team. Johnson and his staff welcome five freshmen to campus: Marcus Gilbert, Justin Jenkins, Coleman Johnson, Josip Mukilic and Amadou Sidibe.
Marcus Gilbert 6’6” 185lbs. F Bryn Athyn, Pa. / Academy of New Church
Gilbert is a 6-6 forward who has the ability to play inside, but can also shoot the three-point shot consistently. As a senior, Gilbert averaged 17 points and eight rebounds per game at Academy of New Church. He helped the team post a 19-7 overall record and a 6-1 mark in conference play. A true scorer, Gilbert reached double figures in 25 of his 26 games during 2011-12, including a seven games with 20 or more points. He netted a season high against South Shore, netting 34 of the team’s 58 pionts in a 72-58 setback. He shot 54 percent from the floor as a senior, connecting on 169 of 314 field goal attempts. He shot 63 percent from inside the three-point line (151 of 241). In his junior season, he averaged seven points, four rebounds and nearly a block and an assist per game. He shot 56 percent from the floor a year ago, and made a sizzling 67 percent of his shots inside the three-point line. His brother Malcolm Gilbert is a member of the University of Pittsburgh men’s basketball team.
Justin Jenkins 6’2” 175lbs. G Bronx, N.Y./Wings Academy
Jenkins averaged 18 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game in helping Wings Academy post a 26-5 record and a 16-0 mark in conference play during the 2011-12 season. He started the year with a 25-point effort against Monroe Campus, a mark he would hit or surpass six more times. He posted a season-high 34 points against Eagle Academy, one of three 30-point performances on the year. Jenkins tallied 10 or more field goals six times, highlighted by a 12- for 16 performance against Lehman in a 92-65 win against Lehman. The guard was a solid free throw shooter in his senior campaign, shooting 73 percent from the line, including a 16 of 17 performance against Eagle Academy. He scored 468 points as a senior, shooting 48 percent from the floor. He showed his three-point range with 34 long-range jumpers, averaging better than one three pointer per game.
Coleman Johnson 6’6” 215lbs. F Oak Hill, Va. / Paul VI
Johnson turned in another outstanding season as a senior, averaging 12 points and nine rebounds per game. He turned in his best of the season against Gonzaga High School when he netted a career-high 34 points and completed a double-double with 16 rebounds. As a junior, Johnson earned the most valuable player award at Paul VI High School, where he started since his freshman season. He helped the program capture its first state championship in 2009. The 6-6 forward averaged 12 points, eight rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game. Johnson collected 10 or more points in nine games a year ago. He showed his ability to play under pressure when he tallied 25 points, 18 rebounds, and six blocks in a state tournament win over Bishop O’Connell in 2010-11.
Josip Mukilic 7’ 228lbs. F Siroki Croatia/ North Broward Prep
Josip came to the United States from Sirozki, Croatia just over two years ago, when he enrolled at North Broward Prep in Florida. As a senior, the school posted a 15-win season as he averaged a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds per game. He also proved his worth as a passer with four assists per game. He helped lead North Broward Prep to a 20-7 record in his junior year by averaging nearly a double-double per game. The 6-10, 220-pound forward averaged 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two blocks per game as a junior. In Croatia, Mikulic won a state championship and was named the tournament’s most valuable player.
Amadou Sidibe 6’8” 215lbs. F Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Hayes
At 6-8, 215 pounds, Sidibe averaged a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds per game. He also enjoyed a solid junior season at Cardinal Hayes High School where he helped lead the team to a second CHSAA ‘A’ title game for the second straight season. He averaged a double-double as a junior, registering 19 points and 13 rebounds per game. Sidibe also showed his defensive prowess with three blocks per outing.
Autobiographical information courtesy of FairfieldStags.com.
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