Compiled by Paul Gotham
Counting down to tipoff and previewing the incoming freshmen of the MAAC with a look at the first-year players of the Marist Red Foxes.
The Red Foxes finished 12-19 (9-11 MAAC) and lost to Niagara in the first round of the 2014 MAAC tournament. First-year coach Mike Maker and his staff welcome five freshmen to campus: R. J. Coil, James Griffin, K.J. Lee, Connor McClenaghan and Obi Momah.
R. J. Coil Fr. C/F 6-9, 225 Toledo, OH/ Ottawa Hills
Coil averaged 14 points and eight rebounds a game last season for an Ottawa Hills team that went 22-5, and reached the state quarterfinals. He possesses good offensive skills, and has worked well out of the high post. The Marist coaching staff sees him as someone who can contribute in the high post and the low post. Coil was also a member of the Ottawa Hills golf team that won the state championship this fall.
What they’re saying about R.J. Coil – Chris Johnson/ Hoop Scoop: “He’ll play the 5 there. He can step out to 15-18′ and be comfortable. He’s not super athletic as far as jumping and running, but he’s a good all-around athlete. He is sound fundamentally.”
James Griffin Fr. SG 6-5, 200 Brisbane, Queensland/ Westwind Prep Academy
A native of Australia, Griffin comes to Marist from Westwind Prep in Phoenix, where he averaged 14 points and six rebounds per game while shooting over 40 percent from three-point range this past season. Griffin is a strong all-around athlete who also played water polo, rugby and volleyball scholastically, and was the captain of his basketball and volleyball teams. He also was in the Rookie Program for the Brisbane Lions Australian Football Academy in 2012.
Griffin played for the Brisbane Spartans from ages 8 to 18, winning two Most Valuable Player awards and one Best and Fairest honor. He has extensive experience with national tournaments in Australia, and also played AAU basketball with the Bay Area Ballers in San Francisco under head coach Nelson Washington.
K.J. Lee Fr. G 6-4, 185 Huntington Station, NY/ Salisbury School
Lee is a physically strong point guard who has displayed great skills going to the basket as a slasher and creator. He is also regarded as a gifted passer and solid defender. Last season, Lee averaged 13.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists. He proceeded to raise his stock by playing well with the Westchester Hawks (AAU) and at Hoop Group Elite Camp. Prior to arriving at Salisbury, Lee helped Long Island Lutheran win the 2012 New York State Championship, and earned All-Tournament honors.
What they’re saying about K.J. Lee – Steve Keller/ National Recruiting Report: “He’s a tall combo-guard. He can put it on the floor and knock down mid-range jump shots. He’s got talent. We just have to see if he can put it together.”
Connor McClenaghan Fr. F/C 6-9, 215 Carrollton, TX/ Hebron
McClenaghan comes to Marist after being selected All-District 5-5A in each of the last two seasons. He comes from a successful high school program which amassed a 34-game winning streak, achieved a top-10 national ranking, and went 36-3 overall in the 2012-13 season. This past season, Hebron won its district championship and appeared in the state regional tournament for the second straight year, and earned a top-15 state ranking.
McClenaghan averaged 9.6 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 56 percent from the field this past season for Hebron. He led the team in field-goal percentage and blocked shots. A versatile post who anchored his team’s inside play but is also skilled away from the basket, McClenaghan’s nickname is “Big Country.”
Obi Momah Fr. F 6-7, 220 Farmington, CT/ Farmington
Momah is a versatile power forward who averaged a double-double for Farmington High School this past season with 18.4 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. A McDonald’s All-American nominee, Momah was named Boys Basketball Player of the Year by the Hartford Courant, First Team All-State by the New Haven Register as well as CHSCA Class L First Team All-State. He was named his high school’s most outstanding player as a junior and senior, and was named Academic All-League.
Momah was named to the CHSCA Senior All-Star Game, and JCC Schoolboy Classic All-Star Game. His game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer for Farmington in this year’s Connecticut state tournament on March 10 made ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays.
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