(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)
Compiled by Paul Gotham
Counting down to tipoff and previewing the incoming freshmen of the Atlantic 10 with a look at the first-year players of the La Salle Explorers. Dr. John Giannini and his staff welcome two freshmen to campus along with three other student-athletes who will start their playing careers with La Salle.
Jordan Price RSo. G 6-5, 220 Decatur, GA/ Auburn
Appeared in 27 games for Auburn 2012-13, starting five as a freshman…Averaged 5.4 ppg. and 1.8 rpg…Made 30 three-pointers, third on the team…Shot 30-for-77 (.390) from three-point distance…Made 11 straight three-pointers from December 11-18 over three games, tying an SEC record…Scored three points in collegiate debut vs. IPFW (11/9)…Had nine points vs. Murray State (11/15)…Posted career-high 19 points vs. Rhode Island (11/25)…Added 14 points vs. Grambling State (12/11) and Furman (12/15)…Was named SEC Freshman of the Week on December 17…Scored 12 points vs. Tennessee Tech (12/18)…Missed five games due to injury…Had 12 points vs. Florida (2/16).
In high school, Price ranked 71st nationally by Rivals.com … averaged 22 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in being named Class 4A first-team All-State for Southwest DeKalb High under coach Dwayne McKinney in 2011-12 … shot 50 percent from the field, 45 percent from 3-point range and 70 percent from the foul line … four-year letterman … helped lead Southwest DeKalb to a 21-12 record and to the 2012 Class 4A State Championship game where it lost to Miller Grove and Tony Parker, 63-57 … scored a career-high 43 points in an 82-62 victory over Chamblee that sent third-ranked Southwest DeKalb to the finals of the Class 4A Region 6 Tournament …. scored 32 points against La Verne Lutheran of California at the Chick-fil-A Classic in Columbia, S.C. … participated in the High School 3-point Championship in New Orleans during the 2012 Final Four … attended the NBA Camp in Virginia for college prospects in the summer of 2011 and was one of the outstanding scorers … averaged 19 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game as a junior leading Southwest DeKalb to a 25-5 record in 2010-11 … as a sophomore, he played at Chattanooga McCallie where he was named Tennessee’s Mr. Basketball in 2009-10.
What they’re saying about Jordan Price – Andrew Albert/ City of Basketball Love: “Price was a top 75 recruit coming out of high school in Ga., so he can play. He has the SEC record for consecutive shots made from behind the arc, which he set as a freshman at Auburn. Explosive offensive player that will most likely lead the Explorers in points this season.”
Allen Rubin/ Hoop Scoop: “He is a very strong wing player. He knows how to score. Uses his strength to get to the foul line. He’s a power guy getting to the basket. Good mid-range shooter. Keeps you honest with his three.”
Yevgen Sakhniuk Fr. F 6-7, 225 Kiev, Ukraine/ GBA Sparta
Member of Ukranian U-16, U-18 and U-20 national teams…Averaged 16 ppg. and 11 rpg. in February against American high school teams while playing for his club squad, Get Better Academy…Sakhniuk averaged 10.9 ppg. and 8.9 rpg., both team-highs in 2013 European U-18 Championships…Played in the 2013 FIBA Europe All-Star Game and participated in the dunk contest.
What they’re saying about Yevgen Sakhniuk – Andrew Albert/ City of Basketball Love: “Sakhniuk will not be able to play this season due to NCAA rules, but he is a Halil Kanacevic (St. Joe’s) type player. Big body, but very athletic. Can take the ball to the rim, but also has some post moves to go to.”
Cleon Roberts RSo. 6-5, 175 Miami, FL/ Georgia Southern
2013-14: Redshirt…Sat out after transferring from Georgia Southern.
2012-13 (at Georgia Southern, 8.6 ppg./2.5 rpg./1.0 apg.): Started all 33 games as a freshman…Averaged 8.6 ppg., good for fourth on the team…Was second on the team with 42 three-pointers…Shot .385 (42-for-109) from long distance…Third on team with 36 steals… Reached double-figures 12 times…Scored 18 points in collegiate debut vs. Valparasio (11/9)…Had double-figures in first four games, including 11 versus Charlotte (11/13), 13 versus Webber International (11/16) and 10 versus Kennesaw State (11/21)…Set career-high with 20 points on 7-for-12 shooting at Virginia Tech (12/15)…Scored 17 points versus Appalachian State (2/7)..Tied career-high with 20 points versus The Citadel (2/14) on 7-for-9 shooting.
High School: Helped Miami Norland to the Florida State 6A Championship as a senior and was named the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches 6A and the Dade County Player of the Year…Averaged 17.3 ppg…Named to the Miami Herald All-Dade County 8A-5A team…Averaged 17.8 ppg. as a junior and was named to the Miami Herald All-Dade County 4A-1A team.
Johnnie Shuler Fr. G 5-11, 170 Washington DC/ Theodore Roosevelt
D.C. Gatorade Player of the Year after averaging 15.1 ppg. and 4.5 apg. for Theodore Roosevelt High School…Led his team to a 24-6 record and the District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association championship and the D.C. State Athletic Association title…First Team All-Met by the Washington Post as a senior…DMVelite D.C. and DCIAA Player of the Year…Shot 88% from the free throw line…Second Team All-Met as a junior after averaging 11.6 ppg…Played AAU for the DC Warriors.
What they’re saying about Johnnie Shuler – Jamie Shaw/ Phenom Hoop Report: “Shuler is an explosive player who is confident on the ball. He has a city type toughness to his game.”
Andrew Albert/ City of Basketball Love: “Shuler is fearless. He is a prototypical “Philly guard” even though he is from DC. He can take the ball to the hoop with a purpose. Needs to work on his shot, but should see some playing time right away.”
Marcus Helton/ DMV Elite: “He was our D.C Player of the Year. He was a three-year starter at Theodore Roosevelt, led them to the D.C. championship last year. Playing up-tempo is the name of his game. He’s got to work on running half-court stuff, but when they get out and go, he’s really good at that. Really athletic. Defensively is where he can really help. He doesn’t back down from anybody, so he’ll be able to help out immediately on that end.”
James Lee/ Mid Atlantic Select: “I’m really high on him. He’s a leader. Tough. Competes on both ends. He wants to take the big shot. He is sneaky athletic. Can really control the game. Knows how to direct traffic. Vocal leader. He can get in the paint really easy and finish with both hands pretty well. He’s perfect at La Salle because they are a guard-oriented team. He will do very well at La Salle.”
Allen Rubin/ Hoop Scoop: “He is a very quick point guard. He shoots the three well. He can really get to the rim. Has to improve on his mid-range game. He is very good in transition.”
Steve Keller/ National Recruiting Report: ” He’s a tough D.C., physical point guard. Not a great shooter, but he is good with the ball and good in transition.”
Amar Stukes RFr. G 6-2 180 Philadelphia, PA/ La Salle College H.S.
Third team All-State, Class AAAA after averaging 19.6 ppg as a senior…Also First Team All-Catholic League and Philadelphia Daily News All-City as a senior… .Times Herald Player of the Year…Third team Philadelphia Inquirer All-Area…First team All-Catholic League selection as a junior, averaging 13.4 ppg. last season…Two-time team captain…Third team All-Catholic League pick as a sophomore…Played AAU basketball for the Jersey Shore Warriors.
What they’re saying about Amar Stukes – Andrew Albert/ City of Basketball Love: “Stukes is a steady-handed point guard who resembles Tyreek Duren, who finished his career with La Salle last year. Can get to the hoop and has a soft touch in traffic. He should be the starting point guard for the Explorers. The big question is, how will he react to the bright lights of the A-10 right away.”
Allen Rubin/ Hoop Scoop: “He’s a very intelligent player. Gets into the lane where he either finishes or dishes. His three-point shot is improving, and he needs work on his mid-range game.”
Jay Gomes/ NJHoops.com: “Heady point guard. Really runs a team. Knows how to play. Makes big shots. Gets everyone involved. He’s a coach on the floor. He’s going to be a good player.”
Steve Keller/ National Recruiting Report: “He is a transition point guard who can get up and down the court.”
Tony Washington RFr. F/C 6-10, 210 Detroit, MI/ The Miller School (Va.)
Averaged 12.6 ppg. and 8.4 rebounds per game as a senior for the Miller School in Charlottesville, Va…Also blocked 2.4 shots per game…Played AAU for the Carolina Cougars…Second Team All-State Division I selection.
What they’re saying about Tony Washington – Jamie Shaw/ Phenom Hoop Report: “Washington passes the look test with ease. A raw but effective skill set. He has touch from the free throw line and ability with his back to the basket.”
Andrew Albert/ City of Basketball Love: “Washington made major strides in his redshirt season. He is a little bulkier than when he got to La Salle, and has a good grasp on the system. He has a lot of bounce for a guy that is 6-10, and has a very high motor. He will be a great option for when Jerrell Wright or Steve Zack need a breather.”
Allen Rubin/ Hoop Scoop: “Offensively, he has a ways to go, but he is very good shot blocker and a good rebounder.”
Steve Keller/ National Recruiting Report: “He is a thin post who is mobile and can jump.”
Leave a Reply