PSUGA Men's Basketball Season Preview:

Men's Basketball Team to Rely on Many New Faces for Success

Penn State Greater Allegheny Head Men's Basketball Coach, Daryn Freedman, was hired in October of 2020, however he had to wait over a year to coach his first game. During this time, many new faces have joined the Penn State Greater Allegheny Men's Basketball Program. A number of those student-athletes will be counted upon heavily during the 2021-22 season.

Coach Freedman: "For this team to reach our goals of a League Championship and a National Championship, our new players and returning players must work together and compete as we put in our system of offense and defense. We will play fast, but under control on offense and put pressure on teams defensively."

Guards:

The point guard spot is a deep one for PSUGA. Returning player, Casey Oliver, will compete for time with newcomers Stalin Oaks, Travon Major, Qmar Stroman.

Freedman: "Our returning point guard contributed to the team's run to the USCAA Championship game 2 years ago. Casey put in a lot of hard work last year to improve his game. He has also matured a lot in the past year. As far as the newcomers, I have known Stalin for the last 4 years and he is a great point guard and leader. Travon is a top notch defender, who is constantly improving his scoring ability and Qmar is a talented players."

Wings:

Penn State Greater Allegheny was able to bring in some very talented and athletic wing players over the past year to go with Junior Marquest Rainey, a Conference Player of the Year Candidate, returns from the 2019-20 team. "Marquest has shown everyone that he can be one of the top players in all of the USCAA this season." Senior Sullivan Conway proved through last year's practices and scrimmages that he can be a big factor for this team. Sophomore Pape Mbaye and Freshman Brandon Graham both came to PSUGA last year and have been working very hard to help the team on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court. The stable of Talented Freshman Wings also includes Chris Killings, Jeremiah Miller, Damon Gamble Jr., Cameron Rodney, Reuben Synsmir, Isiah Edmundson and Milan Johnson.

Freedman: "All of these guys can help us this season. They all have great ability and athleticism. They will just need to adjust that to the college game offensively and defensively."

Sophomore Transfer Darion Shannon, and Freshmen Carson Flynn, Maurtice Newsome, Christ Ntemi, Aidan Betsill, and Jacob Gallman all have the potential to contribute.

Bigs:

PSUGA will be relying heavily on some young players to compete inside this season. Freshman Bryce Phillips has shown a lot in the preseason on both ends of the floor. Fellow Freshmen Lamin Bundu and Xen Borden III have shown great promise as well. Fellow Freshman Nicolas Paul Chan will be a big lift for the team during the Spring semester. Returning player Rason Conner put a lot of work in last season and is sure to play a meaningful role this season and Freshman Logan Porter has been working hard all fall.

GA opens their season on November 5 at home against Acquinas College.