Counting down to tipoff and previewing the incoming freshmen of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with a look at the Quinnipiac Bobcats.
Quinnipiac will make its first voyage through the MAAC after finishing 15-16 (11 NEC wins) in 2012-13. Tom Moore welcomes three freshmen to campus: Kasim Chandler, Alain Chigha and Aula Sumbry. In addition, Umar Shannon will spend a graduate season with Quinnipiac.
Kasim Chandler G 5-10, 160 Newark, NJ/ The Robinson School
Chandler comes from The Robinson School where he averaged 23 points and six assists per game in a season that concluded with a 25-10 record … His 2012-13 season highlight was in a the East Coast Post Grad Tournament Semifinals when he netted 31 points, including 19 in the first half, in a 79-72 win over Mount Zion Prep Academy … Prior to The Robinson School, Chandler attended Imani Christian Academy in Pittsburgh … Averaged 23.2 points, 6.8 assists, 2.8 steals and 1.4 rebounds per game in 2011-12, leading the Saints to a successful season … Spent his first years at Newark East Side High School where he averaged 16.5 points per game as a junior – which included a 28 point outburst against Science Park on December 29, 2010 … He was tabbed All-State at season’s end.
What they’re saying about Kasim Chandler – Jay Gomes/NJHoops.com: “He’s very quick and very good with the ball. He sees the floor very well and gets the ball to the right people. He’s a tough on-the-ball defender. He uses his quickness well. There’s not a lot of weight on him, so he’s going to be pushed around early. He’ll be a good player down the road for Quinnipiac.”
Allen Rubin/Hoop Scoop: “He’s a real tough, pesky defender. He’s a good ball handler and a decent outside shooter. He’s plays hard; he’s a tough kid.”
Steve Keller/National Recruiting Report: “He has a chance to compete right away. He’s going to be good. He has a good mix of speed and skills.”
Alain Chigha F 6-7, 200 Gainesville, FL/ The Rock School
Chigha comes to Quinnipiac after a successful career at The Rock School in Gainesville, Fla. … Blossomed as a sophomore, averaging 9.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game en route to a spot on the Florida All-State team … The 6-foot-7 forward delivered another stellar season a year later, averaging 10.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game … Named to the All-State team for a second straight year while also earning his first of two Lion awards – an honor given to the best all-around student-athlete, athletically and academically … Gives maximum effort on both ends of the floor, especially the glass, and his length creates havoc on the defensive side of the ball … Career was highlighted by a game in a North Carolina Tournament where he finished with 17-points, 19-rebounds, seven assists and six steals … He was named to the All-Tournament team.
What they’re saying about Alain Chigha – Jamie Shaw/Phenom Hoop Report: “Chigha is a very intriguing kid who has all the parts to really play at a high level. His first step is quick as his first dribble covers a lot of space when attacking the basket. He can also knock down some perimeter shots off the catch. As he continues to add strength, he will finish better through contact. On defense Chigha is the ultimate competitor. Gets his hands on a lot of deflections and rebounds his position very well.”
Steve Keller/National Recruiting Report: “He had a good junior year. He has an electric body that is explosive. He’s got real upside.”
Aula Sumbry F 6-8, 240 East Windsor, NJ/ St. Benedict’s Prep
Began his high school career with the Hightstown Rams, transferred to NIA Prep in Newark and then followed with a one-year stint at Trenton Catholic Academy for the 2011-12 season … Last season, he wrapped up his interscholastic career at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark … He averaged 16.0 points and 13.0 rebounds per game in a prosperous campaign for the Gray Bees … Extremely active, runs the floor very well and also has good range for a big man … Also a member of The Playaz Basketball Club – one of the nation’s elite AAU Travel Team programs.
What they’re saying about Aula Sumbry – Jay Gomes/NJHoops.com: “He’s a big, strong, physical kid with a long arms. He’s a real good rebounder. He goes to get the ball off the glass. He has range out to fifteen feet, definitely a post kid. He knows what he is and doesn’t try to do too much. A good get for the Bobcats.”
Allen Rubin/ Hoop Scoop: “He’s a good power forward. He’s good from 12 feet and in, a good rebounder.”
Umar Shannon (Graduate) G 5-11, 185 Atlantic City, NJ/ St. Francis
Graduated from Saint Francis University in 2013 … One of the top guards in the Northeast Conference during his stint with the Red Flash … Averaged 9.0 points and 1.2 assists per game in his rookie season before emerging into one of the NEC’s top scorers as a sophomore … Averaged 15.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game en route to All-NEC and All-NABC All-District 18 Second Team honors in 2010-11 … Posted double-digits in 23 of the 30 games he played in, which included a career-high of 30 at Sacred Heart on Jan. 11, 2011 … Named preseason second team All-NEC by College Sports Madness in 2011-12 … Netted 26 points against VCU – a team that was fresh off an NCAA Final Four bid … Red-shirted the remainder of the season after sustaining an injury … Averaged 11.2 points, 3.3 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game in 2012-13 season.
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