The 2008 class have arrived on campus and the USF basketball team
has an almost completely new look.
Seniors Kentrell Gransberry, Mohamed Esseghir, & Eddie Lovett have all finished their USF careers, and are gone.
Couple that with five players transferring since
2007-2008; Guards Dante Curry, Aaron Holmes, Solomon Bozeman, and forwards
Adamu Saaka and Orane Chin.
The 2008-09 Bulls will have a different look and one that Head Coach Stan Heath
has absolutely put his stamp on.
The Bulls return 6 players from last seasons roster.
Seniors Jesus Verdejo (G/F) Mobalaji Ajayi (F/C), & Aris Williams (F).
Juniors: Chris Howard (PG) & Mike Mercer (G) (Who will be
eligible mid December) and Sophomore sensation Dominique Jones.
As of now the Bulls have
seven incoming on scholarships: Transfer
Mike Mercer (PG), Gaby Belardo (G),
Gus Gilchrist (PF), Teeng Akol (F/C), Eugene Teague (C/ F),
Alex Rivas (F/C), and Eladio Espinosa (F),
Also joining the Bulls roster are walk-ons Mitch
Emory an
all-star forward from Cocoa Beach and B.J. Daniels a duel sport star from
Lincoln HS, who is coming in on a football scholarship. Heath will build
off the strong performances by guards Jones, Verdejo, and Howard, and it will be
very interesting to see what Stan Heath's team will look like when they hit the
court.
The Bulls also have two commits for '09 guards
Shaun Noriega and
Jordan Dumars.
“We’re very pleased with the
additions were making to our basketball team, We feel like we’ve
added players that will help us be better in a lot of areas.”
--Coach Stan Heath.
2008 returning roster
*Transfer
2008 Commits
| Pos |
|
Player |
Ht |
Wt |
School |
|
PF |
 |
Teeng Akol |
6-11 |
220 |
IMG
Academy, Bradenton, FL |
|
C/F |
|
Gus Gilchrist |
6'10 |
235 |
Progressive Christian Academy, MD |
|
SG |
|
Gaby Belardo |
6-2 |
187 |
Notre Dame Prep,
Fitchburg, MA |
| F/C |
|
Alex Rivas |
6-10 |
220
|
Pratt CC Pratt, KS |
| C |
|
Eugene Teague |
6-8 |
295
|
Apex Academy, Pennsauken, NJ |
| PF |
|
Eladio Espinosa |
6-7 |
210 |
Hargrave
Military Acad, Chatham, VA |
2009 commits
| Pos |
|
Player |
School |
Ht |
Wt |
Status |
|
SG |
|
Jordan Dumars |
(Detroit Country Day
School) |
6-4 |
230 |
Committed to South Florida
|
|
SG |
|
Shaun Noriega |
(Northport HS)
Northport, FL |
6-4 |
195 |
Committed to South Florida
|
“We’re very pleased with the
additions were making to our basketball team, We feel like we’ve
added players that will help us be better in a lot of areas.”
--Coach Stan Heath.
Meet the new Bulls
Forwards/Centers
|
Gus Gilchrist |
 |
High School:
Progressive Christian
Academy
Previous HS:
Friendly High School (Md.)
AAU
Team: D.C. Assault
Hometown:
Clinton, Md.
Gilchrist was ranked
the 55th best prospect and the ninth best center by Scout in the 2007
class.
He was named MVP of the 2007 Capital
Classic after scoring 24 points and grabbing nine rebounds.
Gilchrist attended Progressive Christian Academy (Md.) as a
senior averaging 24 points,
12 rebounds and five blocked shots per game.
Spent his first three seasons at Friendly High
School (Md.), where he was a teammate of current USF guard Chris
Howard, and as a junior, averaged 16 points and 11
rebounds. Originally signed with VT in '06 but was granted a
release. Then
enrolled at Maryland in January but
the ACC ruled he would not be eligible
for '08 due to ACC transfer rules, before signing a grant-in
-aid with USF.Also played for the D.C. Assault AAU program.
Chose USF over
Maryland, Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia |
|
Gus Gilchrist
Center/Forward
6-10, 235
Scout rating:
|
|
EVALUATION: Gilchrist
is a versatile big man with a broad set of strong shoulders, with a
surprisingly good perimeter shot, and can put up points from inside and
out. Can use his body to seal off players in the post and he catches the
ball well on the run, something not all post players do well. Also has
the ability to be a good off-ball defender and his strength allows him
to hold his position on deep post ups and he can power the ball up for
baskets in a crowd. His footwork is quick enough inside and his low post
skills are continuing to show improvement.
|
|
“I’m very excited
about Gus’s commitment to USF. He has the potential to have a tremendous
impact on our program. His versatility to play inside and out makes him
a dual threat and a very difficult match up. I am very confident in our
compliance staff that they will work vigorously in helping Gus gain his
immediate eligibility. This is a quality,
high character young man and one that our fans will be excited to cheer
for.”
--USF Head Coach Stan Heath |
|
Alejandro "Alex Rivas Sanchez |
 |
Junior College:
Pratt Community College,
KS
High School: St. Benedict’s Prep, N.J.
AAU Team:
Team
Breakdown
Hometown:
Santiago, Dominican Republic
While at Pratt earned
2008 KJCCC All-Jayhawk West second team honors after averaging 8.7
points, 12.1 rebounds and 3.1 blocks for the season. He ranked sixth
nationally in junior college with 12 rebounds per game. Had a 19 rebound
game, two 17 rebound games and two 16 rebound games during last season.
As a freshman averaged 5.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game.
Originally from the Dominican Republic, went to Laurinburg Prep in
Laurinburg, N.C. before attending Pratt.
Chose USF over
over Baylor, Nebraska, West Virginia, Tennessee Tech,
FAU, SMU and Texas Tech. |
Alex Rivas Sanchez
Center/Forward
6-10, 230
Scout rating:
|
| EVALUATION:
Rivas was known
for his defense, ability to gather rebounds and as a shot-blocker.
Rebounding and his ability to block shots may be is strengths, but he
can also run the floor pretty well for his size. For a big man Rivas
also likes a fast paced game and likes to run. When he gets a rebound he
can push the Ball and run or put the ball in on offense. He needs to
work on becoming more consistent, improve his post moves, add more
muscle and get stronger to excel at the next level.. |
|
“I’m excited to add quality players to our roster this
late in recruiting. Alex is an active player with very good size.
Our concern with lack of size last year should be addressed with Alex as
well as some of the other new players coming into the fold.”.”
--USF Head Coach Stan Heath |
|
Teeng Akol |
 |
High School:
IMG Academy (Fla.)
Previous HS:
Our Savior
American in Centereach, N.Y.
AAU
Team: New York Elite
Hometown:
Wian, Sudan
Teeng, a native of the Sudan, competed a season
ago at Our Savior New American in Centereach, New York, and had a solid
season for OSNA, showing the ability to score from the perimeter as well
as deliver points around the rim. He then transferred to IMG.
Rated 42nd best
center in the country by ESPN.com and 60th best power forward by
Scout.com.
Chose USF over
Oklahoma & West Virginia among others. |
Teeng Akol
Forward
6-11, 225
Scout rating:
|
| EVALUATION:
With his size, Akol is an intriguing prospect
because he has the ability to score from the perimeter. Like most big
men with skills, consistency is the key in making the transformation
from the power slot on the forward line to playing the wing.
He’s a 6-11 power
forward who can face up or shoot with range, is extremely skilled with
the ball, and passes it fairly well. Just needs time to polish up his
game. |
|
“Teeng
is a talented front court player, an x-factor player who has a very high
ceiling and a terrific motor. He has very good skills, good athleticism
and is a player who will continue to develop and improve. We look
forward to working with him.””
--USF Head Coach Stan Heath |
|
Eugene Teague Jr.
|
 |
High School: Living Faith Christian Academy
(Pennsauken, N.J.)
Previous High School: St. Augustine Prep
AAU Team: New Jersey AS
Hometown: Vineland, N.J.
Averaged 20 points and 13 rebounds at Living Faith and
helped the team to a 23-8
record. Rated as the 54th best power forward nationally by ESPN.com.
Ranked 37th in The
Philadelphia Inquirer’s Nifty Fifty of the top high school basketball
players throughout the greater Philadelphia area
Chose USF over Delaware, Maris, St. Peters and St. Joseph’s.
|
|
Eugene Teague Jr.
Center/Forward
6-8, 290
Scout rating:
|
| EVALUATION:
Teague is a 6-foot-8 290 pound big man with soft hands, and can score in
different ways. Has good low post moves and is a big time rebounder on
the defensive and offensive glass. Known to be physical under the
basket. |
| “Gene is
a late bloomer. A kid that really came on late in the year, dropped 20,
25 pounds since January. And by transforming his body he’s become a
better runner, a guy that can get up and down the floor and go after
rebounds, clear space. I love his hands, his physical attitude inside. I
compare him to a baby Gransberry. He’s got work to do, he’s got to
really continue to make progress in a lot of areas but has the upside to
be a very good player in our program"
--Head Coach Stan Heath |
|
Eladio Espinosa |
 |
High School:
Hargrave Military Academy (Chatham, Va.)
Previous HS: Victory Christian Academy in Charlotte, N.C
AAU team: Carolina Cobras AS
Hometown: Norlina, N.C.
Averaged 8 points and 7
rebounds per game and helped lead Hargrave Military Academy to the
National Prep School Championship and an unbeaten season at 29-0. A
3-star prospect rated the 38th best power forward nationally by ESPN.
As a
junior at Victory Christian he
averaged 13 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks per game, while shooting
62-percent, was honorable mention all-conference and was
named to the all-tournament team after helping lead Victory to the
National Association of Christian Athletes national title where he had
15 points and 8 rebounds in the final
Chose USF over Cincinnati, Tulane, Marshall,
Fordham, Charlotte, Wichita State, and Winthrop |
Eladio Espinosa
Power Forward
6-7, 220
Scout rating: |
| Evaluation:
Espinosa's
athleticism, speed, quickness and potential rate him as a Division I-A
performer, but he needs to work on his finishing skills and more
consistency as a scorer from the low blocks. He likely can get by on
athleticism and explosiveness around the rim until he polishes his
skills. Espinosa has a tremendous upside, so his improvement should
happen quickly with a strong work ethic. |
“Eladio had an
outstanding year. His team went undefeated, was the No. 1 prep school in
the country and he was a significant part of that. His coach has told me
all the wonderful things of how this kid is motivated, plays hard,
competitive, great personality out there on the floor. He fulfills a
major need that was lacking from our team and that’s what I say is a
true power forward player. I do feel he’ll have the ability to play
inside and outside. His rebounding and athleticism as well as his
approach to being aggressive on the court will really help solidify that
position on the court which we struggled in this past season.”
--Head Coach Stan Heath |
Guards
|
Mike Mercer |
 |
Previous College:
Georgia
High School: South Gwinnett, GA
AAU
Team: Georgia Stars
Hometown: Hempstead, N.Y.
Mercer appeared in 51 games for UGA in two-years, starting
27, and averaged 12.2 points and 3.6
rebounds. Prior to his injury last
year, he was leading Georgia in
scoring and minutes played and was
ranked 18th in the SEC in scoring,
14th in assists (3.6), 8th in steals
(1.70) and 13th in assist/turnover
ratio (1.43), and was named SEC Player
of the Week As a freshman,
he averaged 11.0 points and 3.0
rebounds per game and was named to
the SEC All-Freshman team.
As a HS senior in 2005 was rated the No.
7 point guard in the country and No. 44
overall by Scout.com, after averaging
19.8 points, 8.1 assists and 6.0
rebounds, helping South
Gwinnett to a 28-3 record and the
quarterfinals of the Georgia Class
5A state tournament. As a junior, he averaged
18.1 points, when SG HS
went 31-2 and won the 5-A
championship.
Chose USF over
Cincinnati, St. John's, La Salle, UMass, Clemson, and Providence. |
Mike Mercer
Guard/Point Guard
6-4, 190
Scout rating:
|
| EVALUATION:
Mercer, was a 4-star prospect coming out of
South Gwinnett HS, and excelled at Georgia. Is considered a consummate
point guard with sick passing skills, tremendous court vision and an
improving scoring ability. Is a playmaker and makes people around him
better |
“He’s a kid that
is very talented, and my opinion, is a difference maker and an impact
guy,” head coach Stan Heath said. “His versatility will help our
basketball team in a lot of ways. His ability to play all over the
court, (the) one, two or three. He’s athletic, he can defend. We really
expect this to be a win-win for Mike and a win-win for us. Sometimes a
change of environment can be really helpful for a kid.”
--USF Head Coach Stan Heath |
|
Gaby Belardo
|
 |
High School:
Notre Dame Prep,
Fitchburg, MA
Previous HS:
Montverde Academy Montverde,Fl
AAU
Team: Miami Tropics
Hometown:
San Juan, Puerto Rico
First played for nationally ranked Montverde
Academy, helping lead the Eagles to a 30-0 record and a
national championship, averaging 11 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.4
steals per game. While at Notre Dame Prep Belardo returned
from injury and had a great showing at the National Prep School
Invitational shooting 6-of-7 from the 3-point line. He also had a
break-out performance playing for the Miami Tropics scoring over 30
points ten times, while averaging over 22 points 6 assists, and 4
rebound per game
Chose USF over
Hofstra, Duquesne,
Virginia Commonwealth, UCF, Florida International and SMU. |
Gaby Belardo
Guard/Point Guard
6-2, 180
Scout rating:
|
| EVALUATION:
Gaby is a special player that brings experience
with him. He’s a hard nosed kid that is very hard to defend. He’s a
scorer, very good off the bounce, and can take people off the dribble
and score. He can also defend and is the total package |
“Gaby is a young man that really got a lot of attention
late in the year. His play really picked up during the AAU season and
definitely caught our attention. He’s a guard that can play with or
without the ball, a good shooter who plays very hard. He has an
aggressive, tough, mentality.”
--USF Head Coach Stan Heath |
Walk-ons
|
Mitch
Emory |
Mitch
Emory
Forward
6-6, 205 |
High School: Cocoa Beach
Hometown: Cocoa Beach, Fla.
A walk-on in 2008 was a 4A honorable mention
and an All-State selection while playing for Cocoa Beach. After his
senior year was named the Florida Today’s Sun Coast Boys Basketball Player of the Year.
Averaged 17 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, while helping Cocoa Beach to a
22-5 record and the Cape Coast Conference title. Has steadily improved
after averaged 12 points as
a junior. A versatile proven scorer capable enough to bring the ball up
court, and almost averaged a double-double, but proved his worth by
often clamping on an opposing team's top inside player. |
“Mitch is a terrific addition
to our team. He’s a 6-6 forward who’s desire to become a very
good player will aid our basketball team this season. Mitch
comes here on high academic scholarships and is just beginning
to scratch the surface on the court. He has a lot of upside. His
best basketball is ahead of him. We really feel like his work
ethic and desire to be a part of our program will fuel his
growth.” -- Head Coach Stan Heath
|
|
B.J. Daniels |
B.J. Daniels
Guard/Point Guard
6-1, 200 |
High School: Lincoln,
Tallahassee FL
Hometown: Tallahassee FLAt Lincoln HS averaged 27
points per game as a senior and was named the Tallahassee Democrat’s
Co-Big Bend Male Basketball Player of the Year. Is believed to be the
first player to win the Democrat’s Player of the Year honors in both
basketball and football in the same season. Named 5A first-team
All-State, and broke the school’s season record for scoring average. Had
season high of 45 points and also had a 37-point game. Averaged 16
points per game as a junior. Four year varsity starter in basketball and
football. A USF Football signee who is expected to join the basketball
team after the completion of the football season. |
"From everything I've
learned, he's going to be as good a walk-on as we're going to have,"
Heath told the St. Pete Times. "And he's a quarterback, and I always
want to have players with leadership skills on my team."
--
Head Coach Stan Heath |
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