TSU Tigers Complete Recruiting Class by Adding Four

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- Tennessee State men’s basketball coach Travis Williams has announced the signing of four additional student-athletes to join the Tigers next season.

Ugo Mmonu (Decatur, Ga.), Kennedy Eubanks (Clemson, S.C.), Jaleel Queary (Nashville) and Jaylen Reid (Rockhill, S.C.) join previously inked Jamontae Davis (Nashville), Jamonte Graham (Nashville), and Rhyan Townes (Memphis) to round out the 2013 recruiting class.

“The goal was to keep elevating the program in every aspect imaginable, and we did that by adding the versatility, talent and skill sets these guys bring to the program,” Williams said. “They all come from very successful programs where they have won and were key contributors to their teams. They have achieved great academic accomplishments in the classroom and I am looking forward to them establishing a great relationship with the coaching staff, university, community, alumni, fans, and the city of Nashville.  We feel that they can add to an already strong nucleus of returning players.”

A 6-7, 200-pound forward, Mmonu will join the TSU team this fall after a senior year at Greenforest Christian Academy. During his senior year, Mmonu helped GCA win the Georgia State Championship in the Class A Private division while seeing playing time at every position but center. He was also named to Atlanta Journal Constitution All-Metro Team, GA Sportswriters Team, and All-State team after averaging 12 points, six rebounds and three assists per contest. His accolades got him looks from Auburn, Cincinnati, Clemson, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Mississippi State, but signed with the Tigers. Mmonu also excelled in the classroom where he held a 3.5 GPA.

“Ugo is a proven winner and very multi-talented. He can play multiple positions, either at the forward or guard, and his athleticism fits our style of play. He can shoot the three, put it on the floor and finish at the basket. His best basketball days are ahead of him." Williams said.

Eubanks is a 6-6 wing player who will come to TSU after playing at Jacksonville College in Texas and being selected by JucoJunction as a top 150 player. Last season, he averaged 11 points and 5.8 rebounds per contest in leading the Jaguars to a 22-9 record. While attending Pendleton High School in S.C., he was an All-Region and All-State selection and was runner-up in the state’s North-South All-Star Tournament Slam Dunk Contest. He also competed on the track and field team while in high school, taking part in the long, high and triple jump events. Eubanks sported a strong 3.0 GPA at Jacksonville College and will major in Business while at TSU.

“Eubanks will be very versatile for us with his ability to play numerous positions and fit our style of play, especially considering how we attack in transition on offense and how we play defense,” Williams said. “He has good size and athleticism and is very capable of putting the ball on floor, attacking the rim, and shooting from three. He comes from one of the toughest junior college leagues in the country, can play a number of positions, and his experience, leadership, motor, and enthusiasm on the defensive end can really help us.”

Queary is another former JUCO player who will join the Tigers next season after attending junior college at Lawson State in Birmingham, Ala. where he averaged 7.3 points, 3.2 assists and 4.6 rebounds for the Cougars. Coming to TSU will be a homecoming of sorts for Queary as he starred at Maplewood High School in Nashville for four seasons. He was a Tennessee Top 50 player according to Max Preps coming out of high school and was named the District 10-AA MVP and Class AA Metro MVP following his senior season. Queary stands 6-2 and will play combo guard for the Tigers this upcoming year.

“I’ve always admired Jaleel since his days at Maplewood High School and we are really excited to bring him back home to keep our program moving forward,” Williams said. “He is a very athletic, strong, tough, and physical guard who is capable of creating his own shots, or attacking the rim. He can also make plays for himself and his teammates. He plays with a high motor, loves playing defense and rebounds well from the guard position which fits the bill of what we are doing here defensively.”  

A 6-7,185-pound forward, Reid hails from Rock Hill High School where he garnered a three-star rating by ESPN. He earned the ranking by helping head coach Eric Rollins and the Bearcats to a 16-6 record while averaging 16 points, nine rebounds, three steals and two assists per contest. He was an All-Area, All-Region and All-State selection as a senior and represented his school in the North Carolina – South Carolina All-Star Game. He had received offers from High Point, Kent State, Austin Peay, Southeast Missouri State, Miami (Ohio), Jacksonville and Winthrop, but chose to sign with TSU. Reid plans to choose a major in either business or political science this fall.

“Reid is versatile, has a tremendous upside, an unbelievable work ethic and passion for the game.  He is a very talented young man with the ability to shoot the three, score off of the dribble, and attack the basket in half court or transition. His ability to rebound and play defense are also pluses,” Williams said.

The TSU coaching staff will have a little over five months to teach the system to the incoming players before the Tigers tip-off next season in year two under Williams.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION