Counting down to tipoff and previewing the Atlantic 10’s incoming freshmen with a look at the first year players of Duquesne Univesity.
In Jim Ferry’s first season as head coach, Duquesne finished 8-22 (one win in conference play). Ferry welcomes five freshmen to campus: L.G. Gill, Darius Lewis, Desmond Ridenour, Jordan Robinson and Isaiah Watkins.
L.G. Gill F 6-6, 195 Chesterfield, Va./Benedictine College Prep
Played at Benedictine College Preparatory in Richmond, Va. (head coach Robert Churchwell III) … averaged 14.1 points and 8.3 rebounds in helping Benedictine (31-4) to the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) Division I state championship … averaged 17.0 ppg., including a season-high 26 in a quarterfinal win over Bishop Ireton and a game-high 21 against Liberty Christian in the semifinal, in three playoff wins … scored 20 or more eight times … hit a season-high five 3-pointers in scoring 23 points against Virginia Episcopal School … had three double-digit rebound games … participated in both the slam dunk and 3-point shooting contests – winning the latter – at the 804 All-Star Game in Richmond in March of 2013 … late-bloomer who played JV as a freshman and sophomore before backing up current VCU guard Jordan Burgess on Benedictine’s state semifinalist in 2011-12.
What they’re saying about L.G. Gill – Jamie Shaw/Phenom Hoop Report: “A lengthy kid with a pure stroke from outside. Great in catch and shoot situations with a high release and great ball rotation. He runs the court with purpose, filling the lanes and his adequate explosion allows him to finish at the rim and through contact. A true wing, who is developing putting the ball on the floor.”
Steve Keller/ National Recruiting Report: “He has good size on the wing and can shoot. He’s got a chance to be pretty good.”
Darius Lewis C 6-11, 240 Lexington, Ky./IMG Academy
Played at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. (head coach Nate Vander Sluis) … played two seasons for the IMG Academy National Varsity team … averaged 13.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game as a senior … Tates Creek High School in Lexington, Ky. (head coach Wayne Breeden) … played the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons at Tates Creek prior to moving on to IMG Academy … was named the “Top Sleeper” among underclassmen in Kentucky by Rick Bolus’ High Potential Recruiting Service prior to the 2011-12 season and his move to Florida.
What they’re saying about Darius Lewis – Jamie Shaw/ Phenom Hoop Report: “Lewis is a big kid who is figuring out his body. Has lost around 50-60 lbs in the last couple of years and kind of reinvented himself to play at a high level. A true back to the basket guy with nice upside who has shown he is willing to work hard to get where he wants to go.”
Steve Keller/ National Recruiting Report: “With his size, he is a good get for Duquesne. He has a chance to contribute right away.”
Desmond Ridenour G 6-2, 180 Cleveland Heights, OH/Benedictine
Played Prep School at M.A.C.K. Prep Elite Training Academy in Charlotte, N.C. (head coach William Sperow) … averaged 17.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals in his one season at M.A.C.K. Academy … set a school single-game record with 40 points against Mont Clare Prep … the old record of 37 was set by current Central Florida guard Calvin Newell … helped M.A.C.K. to a 31-14 record and a South Atlantic Post Grad National Championship.
Played at Benedictine High School in Cleveland, Ohio (head coach Albert Wilson) … averaged 17.0 ppg. with 76 assists and 70 steals as a senior … named Associated Press Division II Third Team all-state following his senior year … helped the Bengals to the regional semifinal before losing to eventual state runner-up Elida … was two years behind Pitt guard Cameron Wright at Benedictine (Wright was a senior and Ridenour a sophomore in 2009-10).
What they’re saying about Desmond Ridenour – Chris Johnson/ Hoop Scoop: “He is a very athletic scoring point guard. He’s at his best in transition. He has good size for a point guard. He can be a streaky shooter. He has range from 18 to 19 feet.”
Jordan Robinson F 6-8, 235 Toronto, ONT Quality Education Academy
Quality Education Academy in Winston-Salem, N.C. (head coach Isaac Pitts) … averaged 18.0 points, 14.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks as a senior … shot 52 percent from the field and 86 percent from the foul line for 23-6 QEA … was named first team all-conference by the Greater Carolina High School Athletic Association (GCHSAA) … averaged 12.0 points and 14.5 rebounds per game as a junior for a Fighting Pharaohs team that won the National Christian School Athletic Association National Championship.
Played for Canada in the 2012 U17 World Championships at Kaunas, Lithuania … averaged 3.8 points and 3.1 rebounds in seeing action in all eight games for fifth-place Canada (5-3) … had eight points and six rebounds in 20 minutes of a 69-63 overtime win over Lithuania … pulled down a team high-tying seven boards in 18 minutes of an 84-79 victory over Argentina … also parcipated in the 2011 U16 Americas Championships in Cancun, Mexico … averaged 5.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in 20.3 minutes per game for the bronze medalists … was the team’s second-leading rebounder … had a game-high 11 boards vs. Chile … posed 11 more rebounds in a win over Mexico … had 10 points and nine rebounds against Puerto Rico
Isaiah Watkins F 6-8, 220 Toronto, ONT/St. Benedict’s
St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, N.J. (head coach Mark Taylor) … averaged 8.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 2011-12 for a 35-3 St. Benedict’s Prep team that finished ranked No. 21 nationally by USA Today … St. Benedict’s reached a high rank of No. 9 before losing to eventual champion Findlay Prep in the ESPN RISE National High School Invitational … six of Watkins’ 2011-12 teammates signed with Division I programs … an academic qualifier prior to enrolling at St. Benedict’s, he returned to Toronto in December of 2012 to prepare for college.
What they’re saying about Isaiah Watkins – Jay Gomes/ NJHoops.com: ” One of a group of Canadian players to play at St. Benedict’s in NJ. Strong, rugged rebounder and post defender. Nothing flashy but gets the job done.”
Allen Rubin/ Hoop Scoop: “He’s got good athleticism. He plays inside and outside, but he is more of an outside player. He is a face-up, stretch four, but he does go into post up. He has a good mid-range shot. He is a good rebounder.”
Steve Keller / National Recruiting Report: “Duquesne got themselves a good player in Isaiah Watkins. He comes in as a 20-year old freshman and should help right away. He is a physical player.”
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