Compiled by PAUL GOTHAM
Counting down to tipoff and previewing the incoming players of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with a look at the first-year players of the Niagara Purple Eagles.
Niagara finished 7-25 (5-15 in MAAC play) last season and fell to Canisius in the opening round of the MAAC tournament.
Chris Casey and his staff welcome to the lineup Kahlil Dukes, Shane Gatling, Kierell Green, Kevin Larkin, Dwayne Pow and James Towns.
Kahlil Dukes G 6-0, 170 Hartford, CT/ University of Southern California
What they’re saying about Kahlil Dukes – Adam Finkelstein/ESPN: “He’s a very smooth combo-guard. He’s kind of a scorer in a point guard’s body. He’s a shooter, too. He’s a confident kid who can put points on the board in bunches. He wanted to chase those high-major ambitions at USC. It’s going to be a different situation for him at Niagara. He’s going to have a chance to be more of a focal point of the offense, and that’s kind of a role he has a natural personality for. It’s going to be an opportunity for him to have a much bigger role. That fits who he is because he is very skilled. He can really shoot the ball and he’s a confident kid.”
Steve Keller/National Recruiting Report: “He’s got some quickness and good skills. He’s a little beyond your typical point guard in that he can score it.”
Shane Gatling G 6-1, 166 Baldwin, N.Y./ Baldwin High
Kierell Green F 6-7, 165 Washington, D.C. Integrated Design & Electronics Academy
What they’re saying about Kierell Green – Jamie Shaw/Phenom Hoop Report: “Green is a late blooming forward, who took a major step forward from his junior to senior year. He has range that extends beyond the 3-point arc. Albeit slender, Green is very long and has a great skill set as a mis-match forward.”
Marcus Helton/DMV Elite: “He had a really big senior year. He came into his senior year with one offer and it was a partial Division II. He really had a productive senior season. He needs to put on some weight. He’s tough, plays really hard and has good range. He can knock it down when he steps outside. He’s got a lot of skills and good size.”
Kevin Larkin G 6-5, 180 Georgetown, DE/ Cheyney University
Dwayne Pow G 5-10, 165 Bronx, N.Y./Mineral Area College
James Towns G 5-10, 162 Detroit, MI/ Henry Ford High
What they’re saying about James Towns – Steve Schwanda/All Eyes on U Hoops: “Scoring PG who is quick and athletic and is strong for his size. Good shooter and can attack the basket and score despite being under six feet. Handles the ball well and could very well transform to more of a true lead guard to run an offense if need be, but definitely has a scorers mentality.”
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