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 Davidson Wildcats.
The Wildcats finished 20-13 (15-1 Southern) and fell to Missouri in the first round of the 2014 NIT.
Bob McKillop and Davidson will make their first tour of the A-10. McKillop welcomes five freshmen to campus: Peyton Aldridge, Nathan Ekwu, Oskar Michelsen, Rusty Reigel and Jordan Watkins.
Peyton Aldridge Fr. F 6-7, 205 Warren, OH/ Labrae
LaBrae’s all-time leading scorer (1,735 points) and rebounder (1,016 rebounds) • Averaged 21.4 points, 14.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.8 steals per game in 2013-14 • Selected the District, County and Hardwood Starting 5 Player of the Year • A McDonald’s All-American nominee • Participated in the Ohio North/South All-Star Game • Voted MVP of the Hope Classic Basketball Showcase, Play 4 Cancer and Dunk 4 Diabetes Tournaments • Played for Team Work AAU team, directed by Brian Bishop, who also coached current Wildcat Brian Sullivan • Lettered in football and baseball • Also excels in the classroom carrying a 4.0 GPA the last three years.
What they’re saying about Peyton Aldridge – Chris Johnson/ Hoop Scoop: “Peyton has a high basketball IQ. He got some high-major looks. He’s got long arms. He’s a face-up four. He will fit well in Davidson’s system because they like to get up-tempo. He runs the court well. The one thing he would need to add is strength for low-post moves.”
Nathan Ekwu Fr. F 6-7, 235 Enugu, Nigeria/ Cardinal Hayes
Recipient of Cardinal Hayes’ Best Student-Athlete Award • Named All-Metro Honorable Mention following his senior campaign • Also selected to the MSG Varsity New York City Second-Team • Averaged 16 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks in his final season • An honors student in the classroom.
What they’re saying about Nathan Ekwu – Steve Keller/ National Recruiting Report: “He’s big and strong. He’s big enough to be a serviceable rebounder in the league, but he’s going to have to develop a go-to offensive move if he wants to become a factor.”
Oskar Michelsen Fr. F 6-9, 210 Helsinki, Finland/ Makelanrinne
Captain of the U-18 Finnish National Team in 2013 • Named to Finland’s National Team 26-player roster in 2014 • Two-time MVP of the Nordic Championships • Scoring champion of Finland’s first division averaging 20.6 points during the 2013-14 season.
Rusty Reigel Fr. G 6-2, 190 Charlotte, NC/ Charlotte Latin
Team captain as a senior for Coach Chris Berger • A two-time all-state and three-time all-conference performer • Averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds during the 2013-14 season • Played for ProSkills AAU team coached by former Davidson standout Brendan Winters, ’05.
What they’re saying about Rusty Reigel – Jamie Shaw/ Phenom Hoop Report: “A legacy to Davidson, Reigel is a hard-nosed gritty player who makes things happen via hard work and IQ.”
Jordan Watkins Fr. G 6-1, 160 Charlotte, NC/ Providence Day
Four-year letterwinner and three-time captain for Coach Brian Field • Selected to the all-state team following his junior and senior campaigns • Also a three-time all-conference selection • A 1,000-point scorer • Recipient of two tournament MVP awards • Teammate of Rusty Reigel’s on ProSkills AAU team coached by former Davidson standout Brendan Winters, ’05.
What they’re saying about Jordan Watkins – Jamie Shaw/ Phenom Hoop Report: “A high level shot maker. Watkins is a first generation college student who worked his tail off, off the court. On the court he has deep range, and wants the ball in crunch time.”
Biographical information courtesy of Davidson Wildcats athletics.
Leave a Reply