Talbert, left, averaged 15.2 points and 6.2 rebounds his senior year
Hopefully you caught our first piece of this series, 2014-15: What do we have?, where we took a look at the returning players. We continue our series today by taking a look at what the Flames are adding.
Ryan Kemrite
While Kemrite was on the roster this past season, he redshirted during his true freshman year. The 6’4″, 200 pound wing was a four-year starter for SATCH homeschool in Texas. He averaged 22.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4 assists as a senior. Kemrite is a shooter, and with the Flames lacking a proven scoring guard, he should be in the mix for playing time this season.
Braxton Bonds
Perhaps the most touted prospect in this recruiting class, Bonds comes to Liberty from Christ Presbyterian Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. He helped guide his team to 4 district championships, 3 regional championships, and 2 state championships while at CPA. Braxton, the nephew of MLB slugger Barry Bonds, averaged over 15 points per game his senior season. He is a true point guard, and will likely push Joe Retic for time at the point from day 1.
Allen is a high-flyer
Stavian Allen
Every time I watch film of Allen, I’m reminded of Drew Smith. Allen has unreal athleticism and can jump out of the gym. The 6’8″ forward was initially recruited as a stretch 4, but if he develops his jumper he could eventually grow into the 3 spot. Depending on how Layer uses Gielo and Smith this season, Allen could work his way into a starting spot. It’s tough to keep someone with his athletic ability off the floor, so expect Stavian to contribute in some fashion in his freshman season.
Ezra Talbert
Talbert, a former Creighton commit, finished his senior season averaging 15.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game while shooting 54% from the field and 36% from 3-point range. The 6’8″ forward from Olathe, Kansas was very consistent in his senior year, scoring in double figures in 22 of the 23 games he played. The one game he wasn’t in double figures, he finished with 9 points. Where Allen is similar to Drew Smith, Talbert is equally similar to Tomasz Gielo. He could spend his freshman season behind Tomasz while he is groomed to take over for him his final 3 seasons.
A.C. Reid
Reid chose Liberty over offers from The Citadel, Hampton, Sam Houston State, and Cal Poly. He averaged 15 points and 4.5 rebounds during his senior season while shooting 37% from the field and 30% from 3. Those numbers are all down from his junior season when he averaged 16 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 47% from the field and 48% from 3.
Evan Maxwell
Maxwell and Abington Heights High School lost in the Sweet 16 round of the Pennsylvania State basketball tournament earlier this month as they finish their season at 26-2. The 6’10” center averaged 11.1 points per game as a senior. Many consider Maxwell to be a project, but unfortunately the Flames have a lack of bigs on their roster for 2014-15 as it stands now.
Liberty now has 2 additional scholarships (with Ogukwe transferring), for now, to continue to add to this class prior to the season starting.
When will these guys be on campus and practicing together?
They start reporting in June