May 20, 2011

Carson-Newman men's basketball signs seven student-athletes for 2011-12 season

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — The Carson-Newman men's basketball program has signed seven student-athletes for the 2011-12 season, head coach Chuck Benson announced Friday.

Antoine Davis (Rustburg, Va./Louisburg CC), Kennedy Eubanks (Pendleton, S.C./Pendleton HS), Corbin Jackson (Rockledge, Fla./Viera HS), Jared Johnson (Springfield, Mass./Cushing Academy), Brandon Kelley (Nashville, Tenn./Nashville Central Christian), Marcellous Perez (Jacksonville, N.C./Louisburg CC) and Elliott Pope (Huntersville, N.C./Hopewell HS) make up the Eagles signing class.

"When I was named head men's basketball coach last June, our 2010-2011 team members were already in place, so this is actually our first recruiting class at Carson-Newman," Benson said. "We spent a great deal of time researching and evaluating these young men in terms of their character and academic abilities. They all come with glowing recommendations and proven histories on both fronts. All of these guys understand what we are about as an institution and want to earn a degree from Carson-Newman. These young men have proven up to this point that they fit the profile we are looking for as an institution."

Benson, whose first signing class is made up of one point guard, one guard, two small forwards and three power forwards, believes all seven signees fill important needs.

"We signed seven players that we feel fit very specific needs. We now have depth at the point guard position, we have added perimeter players that have size and that can shoot the ball, and we enhanced our toughness and overall athleticism," Benson offered. "I am excited about this group and look forward to how they mesh with our returning players."

2011 Carson-Newman Men's Basketball Signees
Antoine Davis – 6'5 – 190 – So. – SF – Rustburg, Va./Louisburg CC
Named third team All-Region at Louisburg CC...Led the conference in 3-pointers with 54...Averaged 11 points and four rebounds per game and shot 47 percent from the field and 42 percent from behind the arc...At Rustburg High School, was named first team All-Conference and second team All-Region...Leading scorer in the conference and in the area, averaging 22 points, seven rebounds and five assists per game...Scored 1,100 for career.

Benson on Davis:
"Antoine is a big wing that is an outstanding 3-point shooter. He also has the ability to post and score inside. Antoine is a junior college transfer but still has three years of eligibility remaining. He will provide immediate help for our team."

Kennedy Eubanks – 6'6 – 185 – Fr. – SF – Pendleton, S.C./Pendleton HS
Earned All-State and All-Region honors...Named Team MVP...Played in the North-South All-Star game...Finished runner up in North-South All-Star slam dunk contest...Received All-Tournament honors in Pepsi Holiday Basketball Invitational...Named Best All-Around Player...Earned Best Defensive/Hustler Award...Helped lead Pendleton to region tournament finals all four years...Also helped guide AAU team to a sixth place finish in the national tournament...Has a 3.3 GPA and member of National Society of High School Scholars.

Benson on Eubanks:
"Kennedy is a great athlete that can shoot the 3-pointer as well as drive and score. He is long and bouncy and will be a good defender for us. He can play multiple positions. Kennedy will play here as a freshman and get things done."

Corbin Jackson – 6'7 – 215 – Fr. – PF – Rockledge, Fla./Viera HS
Garnered All-Conference honors as a junior and senior...Led the conference in points, rebounds and blocked shots as a senior, averaging 19 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks per game...Named team captain two straight seasons...Earned Team MVP honors as a junior and senior...First player in school history to score 1,000 points for career.

Benson on Jackson:
"Corbin is a second generation Eagle. His father Larry played here in the 80's on some great teams. Corbin is extremely long and athletic and can play both inside and out. He is an outstanding driver and passer. Corbin can rebound the ball out of his area and is a shot blocker. He has tons of potential."

Jared Johnson – 6'1 – 190 – Fr. – G – Springfield, Mass./Cushing Academy
Rated a 72 on ESPN.com rankings...Averaged 11.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game as a senior...During junior season, averaged 10.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.5 steals per game...Prior to Cushing Academy, played at Central High School...Was a two-time All-Conference performer...Helped lead team to Western Massachusetts championship...Named second team All-Western Massachusetts...Helped guide BABC (AAU) squad to a national title and to the finals of the Peach Jam.

Benson on Johnson:
"Jared is a combo guard brings toughness and a strong defensive mentality to our team as well as a keen basketball IQ. He plays for the best AAU program in the country (BABC) and has competed against the best talent in the country. Jared will come in here and be ready to help us from day one."

Brandon Kelley – 6'5 – 215 – Fr. – PF – Nashville, Tenn. – Nashville Central Christian
Named first team NCHBC All-American for Nashville Central Christian...Named All-Tournament in 2010-11...One of 10 finalists for Maravich Award, which is given to the top NCHBC player...Named team co-captain...Averaged 14.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks per game as a senior...Scored 1,337 points and grabbed 841 rebounds for his career...Helped guide Nashville Central Christian to a fifth place finish in NCHBC tournament in 2010-11 and a sixth place finish in 2009-10...Member of National Society of High School Scholars.

Benson on Kelley:
"Brandon is a tough, physical post player. He plays unbelievably hard. He moves well and has good post techniques. Brandon is the type guy that will never take a day off. He is my kind of guy."

Marcellous Perez – 5'11 – 180 – Jr. – PG – Jacksonville, N.C./Louisburg CC
Averaged nine points and three assists per game as a sophomore at Louisburg CC...As a freshman, averaged seven points and four assists per game and shot 41 percent from 3-point range...Led Louisburg to back-to-back regional champion and national tournament appearances...Helped guide Louisburg to a record of 61-10...Prior to Louisburg, played at Northside High School and averaged 22 points and six assists per game as a senior...As a junior, averaged 14 points and led the state in assists with 10 per game....Garnered first team All-District and Class 2A All-State honors...Named Jacksonville Daily News Player of the Year...Played in the North Carolina East-West All-Star game.

Benson on Perez:
"Marcellous is a point guard that has won big in junior college. I love the fact he knows about winning and what it takes to win. He is a great passer and has the ability to knock down the 3-pointer. Marcellous gives us much needed depth at the point guard position."

Elliott Pope – 6'6 – 230 – Fr. – PF – Huntersville, N.C./Hopewell HS
Three year varsity letterman at Hopewell High School...Served as captain for his senior season under first year coach Damon Bost...Averaged 18 points and 7.8 rebounds per game as a senior with a season-high 30 points against rival North Mecklenburg High School...Named team MVP, first team 4A I–Meck All Conference, first team All-Lake Norman Region by the Charlotte Observer and second team by Carolinas Weekly...Received an All-Tournament team selection at the Prep All-Star Holiday Classic...Selected to play in the 20th annual Charlotte Pro Am All-Star game and led the West team in scoring while being named Scholar Athlete for the highest overall GPA....Played AAU for the Charlotte Nets....Has a 3.9 GPA and was a member of the National Honor Society and DECA.

Benson on Pope:
"Elliott is a big bodied post player that can really shoot the ball facing up or with his back to the basket. Elliott is a tough kid that likes to compete. He is a very vocal player and has an outstanding work ethic. Elliott will come in here and be ready to play."