Virginia State University Trojans add basketball recruits

PETERSBURG, Virginia  - Virginia State University’s men’s basketball coaching staff has added their last recruit to their 2012-13 recruiting class for the upcoming season. Division I transfer guard from Charleston Southern University, Chris Grier (junior/Stone Mountain, GA) will join the Trojans basketball team.

Chris Grier 6’3 JR Charleston Southern University/Stone Mountain, GAGrier is a tremendously athletic combo guard who can play the 1,2,3 positions on the court. He handles the ball well, is a good defender and is also an excellent 3 pt shooter. Chris shot 42% from three-point land and averaged 6.1ppg last season at D-I Charleston Southern. He scored a season high 13 points at NCAA 2012 tournament against Florida State last season

Jeremy Canty 6’2 SO Morgan State University/Portsmouth, VACanty transfers from Division I Morgan State University, where he was a tremendous shooter and athlete. He can create off the bounce and has unlimited range on his jump-shot. He Played at I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth, VA where he won back-to-back state Championships and helped lead his team to their final ranking of 5th in the nation during his senior year.

Allen Harris 6’6 JR St. Anselm’s College/Boston, MAHarris is a transfer from St. Anselm’s College. He is an athletic guard/small forward who can shoot and pass the basketball. Harris was voted Northeast 10 conference Freshman of the Year in 2010-2011, when he averaged 17.1 ppg with 5.1 rpg. He comes to VSU with a college-career scoring average of 15.1 ppg while playing at St. Anselm’s College.

John Holleman 6’9 SR Carson Newman/Petersburg, VAHolleman is a local Petersburg High School graduate who comes to VSU after averaging 11.1 ppg and 7.1 rpg at Carson Newman College during the 2010-2011 season. He is a very skilled, athletic versatile forward/center who can shoot the trey, pass the ball, attack of the dribble, and also post up. He is a traffic rebounder and is a great finisher around the basket.

Alex Jackson 6’5 JR Quinnipiac University /Baltimore, MDJackson transfers from Division I Quinnipiac University. He is an athletic guard/forward who can post up and attack off of the dribble. He is an excellent rebounder and mid-range shooter; tremendous competitor. Jackson is a former JUCO All-American that averaged 19.9 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 2.5 apg.

Lamar Kearse 6’2 JR NJIT/Syracuse, NYKearse is a heady combo guard that averaged 8.7 ppg while at Division I NJIT. He was born in Petersburg, VA and his mother is an alumnus of Virginia State University.

Michael Mann 6’3 JR Saulk Valley CC/Chicago, ILMann is an athletic shooting guard who was a two year starter at Saulk Valley Junior College. He averaged 12.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg, and 3.5 stls. Mann also led his team in three point percentage and makes with 63 nailed treys. He was recruited by Tennessee- Martin, Chicago State, Illinois-Chicago and numerous others.

Jacolby Wells 6’8 Grad Mount St. Mary’s University/Emporia, VAWells is a recent graduate of Division I Mount St. Mary’s University. He is an athletic power forward/center with great size that comes to Virginia State University with a reputation of finishing well around the basket with some additional rebounding.

Jhamir White 6’0 FR The Robinson School/Paterson, NJ

White is the Trojans’ lone freshman of their 2012-13 class. He is a smart, heady point guard known for his leadership and calmness under pressure. White has a high basketball IQ and passing ability. He can get into the lane and finish well while being a good shooter. He was recruited by Manhattan, Siena, Rutgers, Seton Hall, St. Peters, UMBC.

COURTESY VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS