East Georgia gears up for 12/13 basketball season
The East Georgia State Bobcats Men’s basketball recently completed its third recruiting class. The class is highlighted by a couple of high profile transfers that are expected to have an immediate impact on a team that finished the season 17-13 and in 5th place in the GCAA last season. Coach Neil Bailey commented, “We are so pleased to have this great group of young men joining our program. Combined with the experienced players we have back, I am very optimistic about our chances this season.”
Highlighting this year’s incoming group:
- DJ Felder, a 6-7 225lb Forward from Hinesville, GA. DJ will bring scoring and rebounding to the Bobcats. Felder, a transfer from St John’s River College, averaged 12.5 point and 8.4 rebounds per game in the tough Florida JUCO conference will have an immediate impact next season. An explosive scorer, he topped out last year with 32 points against rival Central Florida College
- Trey Haygood 6-1 175lb Point Guard from Escambia, FL. Try is a true point guard who can control a game without taking a shot. “Trey really reminds me of a guy a worked with a few years back, Rajon Rondo,” said Coach Bailey, “he has a quirky but effective game. Haygood transfers to EGSC from Division I Florida A&M where he put up good numbers against top competition including 6 points and 3 assists versus Georgia Tech and 7 points, 3 assists versus Providence.
- Tommy Williams, a 6-6 215lb wing from Augusta. Tommy is a highly recruited athlete who has overcome much adversity to make it to EGSC including a knee injury and sitting out the past year before matriculating to East Georgia. Williams, who is getting close to 100%, was being recruited by several SEC and ACC schools before his injury and is anxious for a chance to show he is back. “I am really blessed. I went from getting hurt and having all those colleges stop recruiting to singing at a great place like East Georgia,” said Tommy.
- Alex Reid, a 6-1 175lb Point Guard from Savannah, led his team to the 2010 AAAAA Final Four and the Region 3-AAAAA title, earning MVP Honors. Alex a good scorer and floor leader was also named all-city as a senior. He was recruited to Savannah State before opting to red-shirt and transfer to East Georgia.
- Jalen Watson, a 6-5 205lb Center from Hinesville is a great athlete who is just scratching the surface of his potential after just two years of organized basketball. He averaged 7 points and 7 rebounds as a senior at Bradwell Institute last year. “We are very excited about what Jalen will bring to our program”, added assistant coach Leroy Jordan. “He has added 8 pounds of muscle during summer school and has been a sponge during individual workouts”.
- Deon Craig, a 6-3 170lb Shooting Guard from Augusta is a top notch shooter and a long, smart defender. His standout career included a record-breaking 10 3-pointers versus Harlem in February. Deon averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds as a senior.
Brian Pearson, a 6-5 215lb Forward from Loganville, GA averaged 15 points 16 rebounds and 2 blocks per game last season, leading his team to its first ever state tournament and a ranking as high as number 3 in the state last year. “Brian is a tough rebounder and defender that will help us in many ways next season,” added Coach Bailey. Brian was also honored at his high school graduation for never missing a day of school in 13 years.
