MSU Bozeman adds six names to 2014-15 men's basketball roster

BALTIMORE, Maryland  --  Morgan State University men's basketball coach Todd Bozeman added six newcomers to the Bears 2014-15 roster. The newcomers are compiled of five freshmen and a transfer.

The five freshmen consists of, Jahleem Montague, Jamar Redmond, Jerell Cooke, Jeremiah Curtis and A.J. Vernon.

Jahleem Montague helped Atlantic City High School win a pair of Group IV state titles in 2012 and 2013. Montague, who stands at 6-foot-9, completed his senior season averaging 9.9 points and 5.9 rebounds, despite playing with an injury. He was at his best in the postseason, averaging 12.7 points in 11 postseason games. Montague attended prep school at The Robinson School where he averaged 17 points , 14 rebounds and three blocks. He recorded a triple-double versus Pioneer Science Academy by posting 29 points, 17 rebounds and 11 blocks.

Jamar Redmond is a 6-foot-3 guard from Roselle, New Jersey. He was a standout shooting guard at The Robinson School, where he was also teammate with Jahleem Montague. Redmond averaged 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. H e also had a career-high 32 point outing against Laurel Prep.

Jerell Cooke averaged 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 3.1 steals as a senior at Randallstown High School.  The 6-foot-3 shooting guard helped lead his team to a 22-4 record and 10-1 in conference.

Jeremiah Curtis is another big man who will be joining the Bears. Curtis was a 6-foot-8, 230 pound post player at the Middleburg Academy (Virginia) where he averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds during his senior year.

Anthony 'A.J.' Vernon was a standout power forward at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School. The 6-foot-8 Brooklyn native was one of the most improved big men in the highly competitive conference and helped lead his squad to the CHSAA title game.

Joining the incoming freshmen will be 7-foot transfer Zech Smith (...first name is pronounced "Zach").  Smith joins the Bears roster after spending a season as a CSU Bakersfield Roadrunner where he shot 58 percent from the field his redshirt-junior year.

Todd Bozeman has led NCAA appearances in 2009 and 2010. Morgan State has won three MEAC Tournaments (1977, 2009 & 2010) and made its sixth championship appearance in eight seasons under Coach Bozeman. The Bears finished the 2013-14 season with a 17-15 record.





COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS