Compiled by PAUL GOTHAM
Counting down to tipoff and previewing the incoming players of the Atlantic 10 with a look at the first-year players of the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams.
VCU finished 25-11 (14-4 in A-10 play) last season and fell to Oklahoma in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Will Wade and his staff welcome three players to campus: Malik Crowfield, Marquell Fraser and De’Riante Jenkins. Redshirt freshman Samir Doughty also joins the lineup.
Malik Crowfield G 6-4, 180 LaPlace, LA/Riverside
The Basics: Gifted shooter that has developed an advanced floater to his arsenal. Possesses sneaky athleticism on drives to the basket.
Prior to VCU: Three-star prospect who chose VCU over Texas A&M, Kansas State and Iowa State among others. Three-time State Champion for Riverside Academy in Louisiana. Four-time First Team All-State and All-Metro selection. Averaged 17.5 points and 11.3 rebounds per game his senior year and 24.5 points and 11.3 rebounds per game as a junior earning Class 2A Player of the Year.
Samir Doughty G 6-4, 185 Philadelphia, PA/ Math, Civics and Sciences
The Basics: Rated a 3-star recruit by Rivals.com. Athleticism, Ball-Handling, Finishing Through Contact, Slashing Ability, Size For Possession, Ability To Create Plays. Originally signed with St. John’s. La Salle, Penn St., George Mason & Seton Hall also recruited him. Talented scorer who impressed on VCU’s summer tour in Spain.
2015-16: Freshman Sat out 2015-16 season after being ruled a partial qualifier by the NCAA.
Prior to VCU: Averaged 24.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.7 steals per game, while shooting 59-percent from 2-point range as a high school senior. Ranked 35th-best point guard nationally by 247 Sports, including sixth-best in Pennsylvania, as a senior.
What they’re saying about Samir Doughty – Allen Rubin/Hoop Scoop: “He’s a very good scorer, more of a scorer than a shooter. He can really get to the rim, a great finisher and he really gets to the foul line. When they say ‘and one’, that’s a picture of Samir Doughty.”
Jamie Shaw/Phenom Hoop Report: “Doughty is a sturdily built combo-guard who has solid traits at both guard positions. He is tough-minded.”
Steve Keller/National Recruiting Report: “He’s a talented combo-guard. He’s long, wiry and quick with the ball. He can get to the basket. He can also pull-up and knock down a shot. He can handle and make plays. He can shoot off the dribble with athleticism. He has a lot of upside.”
Marquell Fraser G 6-5, 205 Hamilton Ontario/The Hill Academy
The Basics: Physical guard known for his stifling defense and playmaking abilities. Rated a three-start prospect and the No. 2 prospect out of Canada. Chose VCU over Depaul, Georgia Tech and Iowa.
Prior To VCU: Played his senior year at the Hill Academy and for the USPLAY Canada AAU.
Helped his AAU team win the 17U Silver Bracket Championship at the 2015 Adidas Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada.
What they’re saying about Marquell Fraser – Jamie Shaw/Phenom Hoop Report: “Fraser is a strong perimeter defender. During Phenom’s National Showcase Fraser showed to have good instincts and play with a sense of toughness. He should fit right into the Havoc system.”
De’Riante Jenkins G 6-5, 185 Eutawville, S.C./Hargrave Military Academy
The Basics: Versatile, athletic wing who can impact the game on both ends of the floor. Solid passer and ball handler. Third-highest recruit (after Kendrick Warren and Terry Larrier) to sign with VCU since scouting services began ranking players. Consensus 4-star recruit. Ranked No. 36 nationally in the class of 2016 by 247sports.com, No. 43 by Scout, No. 44 by Rivals and No. 59 by ESPN.com. Also rated the No. 2 recruit in Virginia by most services. Chose VCU after receiving interest from Tennessee, Rutgers, South Carolina, Clemson and Virginia Tech, among others.
Prior to VCU:Led Hargrave Military Academy to a National Prep Championship and a 47-1 record as a postgraduate in 2015-16. Scored 27 points in an 85-74 win over St. Thomas More School (Conn.) in the Championship Game and was named Tournament MVP for his efforts. Averaged nearly 22 points per game for Hargrave in 2015-16. Spent 2014-15 campaign at West Oaks Academy in Orlando, Florida and began his high school career at Lake Marion in Santee, South Carolina. Named to 2015 Prep Hoops Florida All-State Team after guiding West Oaks to a 32-4 record. Provided 12 points and 12 assists in the Championship Game to lift Lake Marion to a South Carolina 2A Championship in 2013. Named South Carolina First Team All-State in 2013.
What they’re saying about De’Riante Jenkins – Jamie Shaw/Phenom Hoop Report: “Jenkins is lengthy and plays with a high basketball IQ. A former highly thought of quarterback, Jenkins showed through multiple Phenom exposure camps and AAU events great vision and the ability to pass the ball. He is an athletic attacking wing, when he gets downhill. He has a great skill set, and should be used in multiple ways.”
Steve Keller/National Recruiting Report: “ He’s a two-three who can shoot, handle and brings a variety of weapons to the offensive end.”
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