BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh head men’s basketball coach Brett Reed announced the team’s incoming class of 2017 on Thursday, which includes three talented student-athletes from around the nation. The Mountain Hawks welcome Tim Kempton, Austin Price and Shane Whitfield into the program as they look to continue the team’s winning tradition.
“As a staff, we are very optimistic about our incoming recruits,” said Reed. “Each provides particular needs of our program and we feel collectively, they bring strong talent to the court and strength to the classroom.”
Kempton is a 6-10 forward/center from Brophy Prep College in Arizona. A skilled post player, he is the son of Tim Kempton who played at Notre Dame and in the NBA from 1986-98. Kempton had a successful summer in AAU, playing with Arizona Magic Pump N Run.
“Tim has excellent size and a physical presence that’s needed by our program,” said Reed. “He has soft hands and a very good touch. He’s willing to bang and be physical. We feel his skill level will only continue to emerge because it has a solid foundation. He comes from a very strong basketball family and a strong high school program; those experiences will only help his transition.”
Price is a 6-3 guard from Detroit County Day School. A two-year starter, he is a two-time Semifinalist, two-time Regional Champion and two-time District Champion. Winner of the Chris Kingsepp Award for Unsung Hero, Price is a captain for the 2012-13 season. He was invited to the Nike Skills University Academy for the top 80 players in the country. A strong shooter, Price tied for first in made three-pointers in the Nike Peach Jam Elite 24 while playing with The Family. He is also strong in the classroom, carrying a 3.65 GPA while earning the National Scholar Athlete Award by the DCDS Blue & Gold Club. Austin’s brother Jodan is a freshman on the DePaul basketball team.
“Austin has an uncanny ability to shoot the basketball,” said Reed. “He can extend the defense with deep range. “He also has strong ball-handling skills to create off the dribble. Playing point guard at various points throughout the course of his development has helped his vision, his ball handling and his ability to create. Austin has been a very effective player for two excellent programs with County Day and The Family. We feel he’ll be a significant contributor to our program over the course of his career.”
Meanwhile, Whitfield is a versatile 6-7 guard/forward from Wod of God Christian Academy in North Carolina. He played AAU ball this past summer with the SEBL All-Stars.
“Shane has a strong blend of size, strength and athleticism,” said Reed. “He will be very effective in our offensive system because of his versatility. He plays very comfortably on the perimeter, has good playmaking skills, good vision and can step out and shoot from the perimeter. Shane also has a strong frame that will only continue to grow and develop over the course of his career. He can help us with rebounding and other aspects of the game as well. He has played against high level competition throughout his high school career and these experiences will significantly aid his initial transition to this level.”
Lehigh will head to Saint Francis (Pa.) on Saturday to face the Red Flash at 2 p.m. in the final game before final exams. The Mountain Hawks will have 12 days between games before heading to North Texas on Dec. 20.
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Individual and season tickets are on sale and may be purchased on Lehighsports.com, over the phone (610-758-4263) or in-person at Stabler Arena, Monday-through-Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Lehigh Men’s Basketball Incoming Class
Tim Kempton C/F 6-10/225 Scottsdale, Ariz./Brophy College Prep
High School Coach: Tony Fuller
Major: Arts and Sciences
Austin Price G 6-3/175 Farmington Hills, Mich./Detroit County Day School
High School Coach: Kurt Keener
Major: Arts and Sciences
Shane Whitfield F/G 6-6/210 Raleigh, N.C./Word of God Christian Academy
High School Coach: Quentin Jackson
Major: Arts and Sciences
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