Counting down to tipoff and previewing the incoming freshmen of the Atlantic 10 with a look at the first-year players of the Rhode Island Rams 2013-14.
Rhode Island finished 8-21 (three A-10 wins) in Coach Dan Hurley’s first season at the helm. Hurley welcomes four freshmen to campus: Matthew Butler, Hassan Martin, E.C. Matthews and Ifeanyi Onyekaba. Gilvydas Biruta, Jarelle Reischel and Biggie Minnis will join the lineup after sitting a season per NCAA transfer requirements.
Matthew Butler G 6-2, 200 Memphis, TN/ Memphis East
Averaged 14.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game as a senior, despite suffering through a season-long ankle injury. As a junior, helped the Mustangs win the 2012 Tennessee Class AAA State Championship. Connected on 8-11 FG (4-6 3FG) in the title game against Memphis Central H.S. Named to the Pepsi Best of the Preps Class AAA team by the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Ranked among the top 50 shooting guards in the country according to ESPN.com.
What they’re saying about Matthew Butler – Jamie Shaw/Phenom Hoop Report: “Butler is a volume guard who has a good handle and does a great job getting into the lane. Classified as a combo, but appears to be much more adept at scoring. Has a good pull up, and gets into the lane. Shows some Memphis toughness to his game and keeps coming at you.”
Hassan Martin F 6-7, 210 Staten Island, N.Y./Curtis
Helped lead Curtis H.S. to a 26-5 overall record, averaging 16.8 points per game as a senior.Named MVP of the Staten Island H.S. League tournament as Curtis took the SIHSL title. Averaged 16.8 points per game as a senior under head coach Rich Buckheit, helping to guide the Warriors to the and the Staten Island PSAL championship and the New York City PSAL AA semifinals. Earned MVP honors in the NYC Mayor’s Cup All-Star Game, scoring 27 points en route to leading the PSAL squad to a 148-136 overtime victory over the CHSAA. Won the 2013 Warren Jaques Award, presented annually to Staten Island’s most outstanding basketball player. Had 19 points en route to being named the MVP of the Jordan Brand Classic Regional Game, held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Played with New Heights AAU program.
What they’re saying about Hassan Martin – Allen Rubin/ Hoop Scoop: “He’s a good rebounder and mid-range shooter. He scores around the basket. He’s a real good get.”
E.C. Matthews G 6-5, 190 Romulus, MI/ Romulus
Consistently ranked among top 100 prospects in the nation by all major recruiting services. Named to the Associated Press Michigan Class A All-State team after helping to lead Romulus to its first State Championship since 1986. Also named to USA Today’s All-State Dream Team after averaging 17.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists as a senior. Registered 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Eagles in the title game victory over Detroit Southeastern after pouring in 37 points in semifinals. One of three Division I signees from Romulus, which finished the 2012-13 season with a 22-3 mark and the No. 7 ranking on the MaxPreps Top 25 under head coach Nate Oats.
What they’re saying about E.C. Matthews – Jamie Shaw/Phenom Hoop Report: “The thing that sticks out about Matthews, for me, is his court awareness. He has good vision and understanding of where his teammates are. He is at his best attacking the rim, he gets into lane with ease. When his jump shot is falling he is very difficult to defend, and that part of his game is becoming more consistent. Likes, and is most comfortable with the ball in his hands.”
Steve Schwanda/ All Eyes on Hoops: “Great versatility, can play either guard spot. Good ballhandler, athletic enough to get to the basket and finish above the rim, while also knocking down shots from the outside. He is a big-time talent, and I expect very big things from him in the A10 in helping Rhode Island become an contender. This is how good I think EC is, I had him #1 in the class in Michigan, ahead of James Young (Kentucky) and Derrick Walton (Michigan) for most of his high school career. He never fell out of the top 3, and I believe he will make me look smart in college.”
Ifeanyi Onyekaba F 6-8, 240 Abuja, Nigeria/ Virginia Episcopal School
As a senior in 2011-12, averaged 17.1 points, 13.0 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, and 2.0 steals per game, helping Virginia Episcopal School and head coach Curtis Staples to an 18-5 overall record. As a junior in 2010-11, posted averages of 20.6 points, 15.6 rebounds, 3.7 blocks, and 1.6 steals as VES went 22-3 en route to the Virginia Independent Schools Division III State Championship. Was named the 2011 Player of the Year by the VISAA and the Lynchburg News & Advance. Also played with the Boo Williams AAU program. Began his U.S. high school career at Roanoke Catholic in Roanoke, Va., where he was named the 2012 Sizzlin’ Sophomore Player of the Year for head coach Joe Gaither after averaging 9.7 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.
What they’re saying about Ifeanyi Onyekba – Jamie Shaw/ Phenom Hoop Report: “A strongly built, long, and explosive power forward who rebounds and blocks shots with purpose. Has wide shoulders and long arms that allow him to play longer than his height. At this point his offensive game is 15’ and in, but he dunks the ball strong and does show some touch off the catch. A high-motor power player.”
Steve Keller/ National Recruiting Report: “Rhode Island brought in a lot of potential. He may need some time, but he has a long, wiry body and he can glide.”
Gilvydas Biruta (transfer) F 6-8, Jr. Jonava, Lithuania/St. Benedict’s Prep – Rutgers
Biruta averaged 9.7 points and 5.3 rebounds – including 2.4 offensive boards – per game as a sophomore at Rutgers. He was the lone Scarlet Knights player to earn the start in all 32 games…ranked second on the team in both scoring and rebounding…posted double-figures in scoring 13 times and grabbed double-digit boards in three contests…named to the 2011 Cancun Challenge Riviera Division All-Tournament choice, averaging 12.5 points and 5.5 rebounds during the two games…posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds – including nine offensive boards – at Providence…registered a career night against No. 2 Syracuse, scoring 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting with seven rebounds in 30 minutes…was an Big East All-Rookie team selection after averaging 9.6 points and 5.6 boards per outing as a true freshman…started 31 of 32 games, registering 9.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in 22.1 minutes per game.
Jarelle Reischel (transfer) F 6-6, 215 Frankfurt Germany (played at Point Pleasant)
Averaged 5.7 points and 2.7 rebounds and was one of only two players on the Owls’ team to play in all 35 contests, earning 13 starts. Posted seven games with double figures in the scoring column. Averaged 6.9 points in Conference USA games. Tallied 11 points and grabbed six rebounds in 19 minutes of play against Tulsa. Scored a career-high 20 points in the Owls’ win over UTEP, going 7-for-12 from the field and 3-for-3 from the perimeter. Posted a 16-point effort at Houston, connecting on 6-of-8 shots from the field. Finished with 10 points in the Collegeinsider.com Invitational at home versus Drake.
What they’re saying about Jarelle Reischel – Jay Gomes/ NJHoops.com: “Versatile scorer and athlete. Can score from a variety of spots. Had good frosh season at Rice. Sometimes forces it resulting in turnovers. Can score from deep or mid range. Averaged 22.1 ppg and 12.4 rpg as a high school senior. Ranked among NJ Hoops top 10 seniors in class of 2011.”
Steve Keller/ National Recruiting Report: “He is the most ready (among this group). He played at Rice and had an outstanding year. They were really disappointed to lose him. Down the road he is going to be a three-man who can really be a zone-buster. He can shoot. As time goes on, they are going to be pleased with him.”
Allen Rubin/Hoop Scoop: “He’s kind of a prototype wing-forward. He’s a good offensive player, can shoot the three and puts it on the floor well. He can score from mid-range or three.”
Biggie Minnis (transfer) 6-3, 185 Philadelphia, PA (Texas Tech)
Saw action in 28 games for Texas Tech, earning five starts. Made his collegiate debut at home against Troy, scoring a career-high 12 points while grabbing four rebounds. Earned his first collegiate start and dished out a career-best five assists against Cal State Bakersfield. Had seven points, five assists and two steals against Baylor. Connected on 5-of-5 from the charity stripe, scoring seven points to go along with seven rebounds at Texas A&M. Collected six rebounds at Iowa State. Shot 5-for-7 from the floor, good for 10 points against Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Tournament.
What they’re saying about Biggie Minnis – Jay Gomes/NJHoops.com: “He’s an athletic combo with good size and speed. Solid defender which may earn him minutes for Coach Hurley.”
Allen Rubin/ Hoop Scoop: “He’s a tough Philadelphia guard. He really can score. He plays hard. He gets to the basket real well, gets to the foul line and can score from the mid-range. He’s a good defender and distributor. He’s always been more of a scoring point than a distributor, but after working with Danny Hurley I’m sure he is going to do more of the latter.”
Steve Keller/ National Recruiting Report: “He is going to be ready to impact right away.”
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