'23-24 Roster Preview - East Tennessee State
Breaking down the ETSU roster for the upcoming season
ETSU did not live up to the expectations of the fanbase in Johnson City last year. Their traditionally strong home court performances dropped off heavily despite having quality guys like Jordan King and Jalen Haynes. It was time for a change and Brooks Savage is bringing it. Thankfully, the portal shortens rebuild. Savage kept guys he felt were important to rebuilding the culture, brought in solid transfers, and a very impressive freshman class. Savage is looking to bring glory back to the 8-time conference championship winning program.
Returning Players
Justice Smith - 6’6 G
Last Season Avgs: 21.3 min. 7.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.0 apg | I’m excited to see Justice Smith take more of the scoring load onto his shoulders. He had to defer more to All-conference guys Jordan King and Jalen Haynes last year, but should be the leader this year. Coach Savage is excited about what Smith can do as well. He’s a solid defender and shot well from three, just without a lot of volume. ETSU will like to see him assert himself more to be in a position for an All-Conference spot this season.
Jaden Seymour - 6’8 F
Last Season Avgs: 27.4 min. 8.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.4 apg | I loved what I saw from Seymour last year. He’s a tenacious rebounder and fights inside to finish against bigger bodies. He also played from the top of the key on offense a lot, using that position to find open guys and cut into the lane. If he improves his three point shot and uses that to draw opposing bigs out of his space, he will be an even more dangerous threat. He’s a versatile, switchable defender and likely to score at least double figures this year.
Braden Ilic - 6’9 F
Last Season Avgs: 8.7 min. 2.0 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 0.4 apg | Ilic could be a big building piece for Coach Savage. Given he’s had offseason improvement, his versatility to step out an hit shots while diving into the paint for rebounding should bring balance to this new ETSU team.
Allen Strothers - 6’1 G
Last Season Avgs: 26.7 min. 3.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 2.7 apg | Strothers was looked to as a defensive stopper, and couldn’t really get his shot going in his first full season. All teams need a guy who is willing to do the dirty work, and if he can lift his field goal percentage to at least 50% in the upcoming season, he’ll maintain his workload throughout the year.
Newcomers
Ebby Asamoah - 6’5 G
Last Season Avgs (Delaware): 24.1 min. 6.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 0.8 apgAsamoah brings experience on top of experience to Johnson City. He started almost every game last year at Delaware and, more importantly, has played on an NCAA tournament team. Asamoah can shoot and he likes to dive in a grab rebounds. He should provide what the Bucs need nicely and carve out a starting spot.
Jadyn Parker - 6’10 F
Last Season Avgs (North Florida): 20.2 min. 6.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 0.7 apg | Jadyn Parker started every game for North Florida last year, and powered their defense, averaging almost 2 blocks per game (1.8). He’s a good finisher inside and could stand to assert himself more on the boards, but 6’10 is rare in the conference and he should be able to bring his defensive prowess with him.
DJ Hughes - 6’7 F
Last Season Avgs (Butler): 8.6 min. 1.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 0.1 apg | Hughes was a three star recruit but couldn’t quite carve out a spot at Butler. He’s got a chance to use his physicality and rebounding ability to bring some fight to the rebuilding Bucs. Down transfers have a pretty good track record coming into the SoCon.
Karon Boyd - 6’5 F
Last Season Avgs (USC Aiken): 27.5 min. 11.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg | I like what Boyd brings as an undersized big. He brings an energy that reminds me of Jermaine Marshall of Samford. He started every game as a freshman at D-2 USC Aiken shooting efficiently and ferociously rebounding. ETSU fans will love his tenacity if he earns the minutes.
Qimari Peterson - 6’1 G
Last Season Avgs (John A Logan College): 13.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.7 apg | Peterson was a major contributor on a team that won the Ju-Co championship this past year. He’s a great shooter percentage-wise, and dishes out assists at a high level. He has pedigree as a recruit, beginning his career at Indiana State and could be an underrated pickup going into the season.
Tyler Rice - 6’1 G
Last Season Avgs (William and Mary): 11.9 min. 4.0 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 0.9 apg | Rice saw his minutes and production dip last year after being an All-freshman player at W&M. He’ll need to improve his shooting to earn consistent minutes on the floor, but a fresh start may give him the opportunity he needs.
Maki Johnson - 6’4 G
Last Season Avgs: N/A (High School) | Johnson is an enormous pull for Brooks Savage in his first year. A three-star recruit from a great prep program, Johnson had some high level Power 5 offers as well. He can rebound, is a solid passer, and has range for days. I love this building block for ETSU.
Gabe Sisk - 6’6 G
Last Season Avgs: N/A (High School) | Gabe Sisk is another three-star recruit, who chose ETSU over multiple other midmajors (like Rick Pitino’s St. Johns program). He’s got a great shooting stroke and a 6’6 combo guard provides size not found on many other SoCon teams. Brooks Savage’s incoming class is prolific.
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