Panther's Basketball 2007-2008 Season Outlook

Coach Darryl Jacobs enters his 2nd year at Clark Atlanta University. In his 2nd season Coach Jacobs feels he has the program going in the right direction. "We believe we were able to go out and bring in those types of players who will address all areas of concern from last season." Jacobs and his staff hit the recruiting trails hard bringing in nine new faces to go along with the returnees. "I believe we have a shot to be a pretty good basketball team. There are a lot of new players so it will take some time to gel. If we can get better each day, then I believe we will have a successful season."

Guards/Forwards

This year the backcourt will have several new faces as well as old. The mainstay from last year's backcourt is 5'9 Jr. Paul Nickerson who led the team in scoring, averaging 10.1 PPG and 2.7 assists per contest. He was voted to the SIAC All-Academic Team with a 3.59 GPA. Also back are 6'5 junior Jonathan McCrotrell, 5'10 senior Kevin Townley, Jr. and 6'2 sophomore Jourdain Blackmon. Mc Cottrell had a breakout game scoring 29 points in a victory over Miles College last season. Jacobs is very excited about his newcomers: 5'10 junior Kevin Johnson - (Sullivan CC), 6'4 freshman (RS) Najee' Lane - (a transfer from South Carolina State), 6'5 freshman William "NICO" Sampson - (Bayonne High School), 6'6 Jesse Porter - (Pasadena CC) 6'5 freshman Julius Sudds - (DeSoto High School), 6'0 Jahlani Heath - (Michael Krop Senior High School). Johnson was JUCO honorable mention All-American at Sullivan CC. He averaged 14.4 PPG/5.3 APG while leading his team to a 22-6 record. Lane Averaged 25.1 PPG at Hamilton West High School in New Jersey. He was named Mercer County Player of the Year and was rated among the top 20 players in New Jersey while leading his team to the Group III State Championship his senior year. Sampson averaged 16 PPG while leading Bayonne High School to a 24-3 record and state group playoffs during his senior season. He earned 1st team All-Hudson County and MVP of the New Jersey/Pennsylvania All-star Classic. Porter averaged 10.1 PPG and 7.1 RPG at Pasadena CC, and Sudds averaged 10.1 PPG and 11 RPG at DeSoto High School in Texas. "We are definitely bigger and more athletic on the wings this year. We have some guys who can score and defend this year," states Jacobs.

Forwards/Centers

The Panthers were very thin up front last season. The lone returnee up front is 6'7 senior Coshune Bingham, who was one of the top rebounders in the SIAC averaging 7.2 per contest. Jacobs went out and brought in three new faces up front: 6'8 senior Al Burt - (a transfer from Oklahoma State), 6'8 Gary Beverly - (a transfer from Delaware State University) and 6'8 Niinotrey Annag - (Westchester CC- NY). Burt is a very versatile forward who can score inside and out. Beverly is an effective forward who runs the floor block shots and finishes around the basket. Annag is also dexterous and averaged 10 PPG/11 RPG/2.1 BLKS at Westchester CC in New York. "We needed some immediate help up front, and I believe these young men will help us address those concerns," states Jacobs.

This appears to be a major rebuilding year for Clark Atlanta University with many new faces. "In order for us to have any type of success, I believe we must get better each day. Chemistry, communication, mental toughness and trust will be the key to our season. We have a group of guys that, I believe, will give the program a solid foundation. This is a great league with outstanding coaches, so we have our work cut out for us. We are looking forward to meeting those challenges head-on," states Jacobs.