After coming off its fourth straight NAIA National Championship Tournament appearance, the Mid-America Christian men's basketball team reloaded with some more strong talent for the upcoming 2022-23 season as seven student-athletes have signed on for the upcoming year.
The incoming class includes six NCAA Division I and Division II transfers as well as one high school standout.
A 6-6 sophomore guard, DaRaun Clark makes his way to MACU from UC-Colorado Springs, an NCAA Division II program out of the Rocky Mountain Athl"etic Conference (RMAC). In 45 games with the Mountain Lions, the San Antonio native was a prolific offensive threat, averaging 12.8 points per game on a 40.6 percent shooting clip, including 36.8 percent from three and 80.6 percent from the free throw line. Clark was also a solid defender out of the wing position, averaging 3.1 rebounds per game and notched 54 steals to go with 15 blocks.
"DaRaun is a high-level scorer," remarked MACU head coach Josh Gamblin. "He had three great years at Colorado Springs and we are looking forward to having him here at MACU. His length and ability to guard multiple positions will help us in a big way."
An NCAA Division I transfer from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 6-4 senior guard Trevonte Doolittle will be looking to do a lot for the MACU men's basketball program. Last season, the Hughes, Ark. native saw action in 27 games and made five starts while averaging 3.7 ppg.
"Tray is a big wing that can score at all three levels," stated Gamblin. "We are very excited to have him and think he will have a big year for us."
One of two Central Oklahoma transfers, 6-6 forward Seth Hurd will look to add some quality depth in the low post for the Evangels. Last season, Hurd was a key contributor to a Bronchos squad that won the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) regular season championship and qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championship. The Tulsa, Okla. product made a huge impact for UCO during his freshman season, starting in 19 games and put together a 14-point effort in a big 78-73 road win at Pittsburg State (Kan.) on Jan. 11, 2020.
"We are very excited to add Seth to this recruiting class," said Gamblin. "Seth is a versatile player who can really score and make plays out of the post. Seth has been a part of a winning culture everywhere he's played, from helping UCO win the MIAA last season to Booker T. High School winning a state championship."
Another strong player coming over from the Bronchos, 6-5 combo guard Conner Calavan will look provide some size in the wing position for MACU. In two seasons with UCO, the Fort Gibson, Okla. product saw action in 32 games and dropped his first double-digit scoring effort with 12 points in a 94-61 win over Newman (Kan.) on Feb. 13, 2021.
"Conner is a big time shooter who can play multiple positions," stated Gamblin. "Conner, also being from UCO has won everywhere he has been, which included making a state tournament at Fort Gibson High School."
An NCAA Division I transfer from Oral Roberts (Okla.), Jonathan Alexandre comes to MACU after helping lead the Golden Eagles to Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in 2021. In his ORU career, the Frisco, Texas product averaged 3.4 points on 46.2 percent shooting from the field.
"Jonathan is a big wing who can really shoot," said Gamblin. He can play and defend multiple positions. Jonathan is another winner who made it to the Sweet 16 at ORU."
A highly decorated high school standout from Hobbs, N.M., 6-0 freshman guard Jalen Goar put together an unpresented career at Hobbs High School. On-top of being named a First Team All-State and a Second Team All-State, Goar was also named his District's MVP as well as a five-time Academic All-District honoree.
"Jalen is one of the most decorated high school players in New Mexico high school basketball history," Gamblin remarked. "He broke the all-time three-point field goal record in New Mexico. We are very excited to have Jalen and we think he will have an impact right away."
Rounding out the signing class, the Evangels have brought in a big from one of the top NAIA men's basketball programs in the country in Oklahoma Wesleyan with the addition of 6-6 forward/center Tichic Fikipo. Helping guide the Eagles to a 34-3 record in 2021-22, the Dacula, Ga. native saw action in 20 games and made one start for OKWU.
"Tichic is a very skilled big man who can score on the block and be a big time rebounder," said Gamblin. Tichic, coming from Oklahoma Wesleyan has won at the highest level the past two years. We are very excited to have him at MACU."
The Mid-America Christian men's basketball team will officially start the season on Saturday, Oct. 29 as the Evangels will host Ozark Christian for a 4 p.m. tip-off inside the Gaulke Activity Center.
Original source can be found here
Alerts Sign-up