MEN'S BASKETBALL 2010-2011 - Southern University New Orleans

SUNO BASKETBALL MEDIA GUIDETABLE OF CONTENTSAbout Southern University at New Orleans 1Greetings from Victor Ukpolo, Ph.D. 2Athletics Staff and Coaches 3Knights’ Season Outlook 4The Knights 52009-2010 Team Statistics 8Records and Honors 9The Castle: Home of the SUNO KnightsMEMBERS OF THE GULF COASTATHLETIC CONFERENCEDillard UniversityEdward Waters CollegeFisk UniversitySouthern University at New OrleansTougaloo CollegeXavier University of LouisianaThe following institutions became members ofthe Southern States Athletic Conference, effectivethe 2010-2011 season: Belhaven University,Loyola University New Orleans, Spring HillCollege, the University of Mobile, and WilliamCarey College. Louisiana State University—Shreveport became a member of the Red RiverAthletic Conference, effective 2010-2011.The 2010-2011 SUNO Men’s Basketball Media Guide is published by Departmentof Athletics and the Office of Public Relations. Layout and design byEddie Francis.

ABOUT SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AT NEW ORLEANSDEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICSHOME COURT6400 Press Dr.Park CampusHealth & Physical Education Building 208New Orleans, Louisiana 70126Main (504) 286-5197 Fax (504) 284-5440SUNO.edu/AthleticsThe Castle6400 Press Dr.New Orleans, Louisiana 70126Park Campus6400 Press DriveLOCATION/PROPERTIESLake Campus6801 Press DriveStudent & Faculty Housing7000 Press DriveNew Orleans, Louisiana 70126FOUNDED 1956SYSTEM AFFILIATIONCHANCELLORSouthern University SystemVictor Ukpolo, Ph.D.ENROLLMENT 3,166SPORTS INFORMATION CONTACTNICKNAMESCHOOL COLORSATHLETIC AFFILIATIONEddie FrancisDirect (504) 286-5343 Fax (504) 284-5525Mobile (504) 236-1009efrancis@suno.eduKnightsColumbia Blue & Sunset GoldNAIA Division ICONFERENCEMEDIA PARTNERGulf Coast Athletic ConferenceN/A2009-2010 RECORD 13-15 (7-11 GCAC)SOCIAL NETWORKSFacebook.com/SUNOKnights56Twitter.com/SUNOKnights1

GREETINGS FROM THE CHANCELLORGreetings from Southern University at New Orleans,Thank you for taking the time to peruse the 2010-2011 men’s basketball media guide. Wecould not have been more excited about the possibilities of the new season of Knights basketballas we welcome our new friends in education, Fisk University and Edward Waters College,to the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference family.Of course, the SUNO Nation looks forward to putting a winning basketball team on the court.We look even more to putting winners in the classroom so that they can represent a major goalof the NAIA and SUNO by being champions of character all over the world. Just like our playerswill make exciting plays on the court, we look forward to all of our students making significantand exciting academic strides.The Castle is open to all who want to see what SUNO basketball is all about. The up-closeand-personalatmosphere that our arena presents is what makes college basketball one of themost exciting and treasured sports activities in America. Most importantly, I invite alumni andsupporters of the Knights to come out and make some noise in The Castle for the 2010-2011season. Let’s go, SUNO!Sincerely,Victor Ukpolo, Ph.D.Chancellor2

ATHLETICS SUPPORT STAFF & COACHESELSTON KINGAthletic DirectorVINCENT JOHNSON, Ph.D.Academic AdvisorEDDIE FRANCISSports InformationGILDA DAVISRegistrarBRIAN SMITHAssistant CoachLAJUAN MAGEEStatisticianRAYMOND RAPHAELTrainerDAVE VALDERYHead CoachOne of the most successful college basketball coaches in the region, Coach Dale Valderyenters his third season at SUNO with a career head coaching record of 248-177."Coach Val's" coaching career began in 1977 at Xavier University of Louisiana as thefirst head coach of the women's basketball team. Coach Valdery got off to a promisingstart, leading Xavier's women to District 30 championships in 1981 and 1982. Along theway he earned honors as both District and Metro Coach of the Year in 1981.He would eventually make his mark as the head coach of Xavier's men's team. He tookover the Gold Rush in 1990 after stints as an assistant men's coach at Southern Universityand A&M College, Grambling State University, and Xavier. As head coach, Valdery's accomplishments includedLouisiana Small College Coach of the Year (2001), GCAC Coach of the Year (2001), three NAIA tournamentappearances, and the most wins in Xavier's history. Before taking over at SUNO, he served again as an assistantcoach at Southern University where the Jaguars won two Southwestern Athletic Conference Championships.Coach Valdery also made a stop at Hampton University where he served as assistant coach of the women's team.In his first year at SUNO, Coach Val made it a point to begin a culture of winning by focusing on his team's attitude.What began as a three-win debut season, grew to a 13-15 record in the 2009-2010 season. Part of the season’shighlights were upsets of Northwestern State and the nationally ranked LSU-Shreveport. In the first round of theGCAC Tournament, SUNO ousted Loyola in the first round before falling to LSUS in a rematch. SUNO also gottheir first All-American since 2005 in Lionel Green.Coach Valdery is a native of New Orleans and received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Xavierin 1975. As a basketball player at Brother Martin High School, Coach Valdery was a member of the legendary 36-01971 state and the national championship team as well as another state championship team.3

THE KNIGHTS#20 DEVENCE HAMPTON, PGClass: SophomoreHt: 6‟0” Wt: 157 lbs.Home: Marrero, La.#00 BYRON HAWKINS, FClass: SeniorHt: 6‟7” Wt: 205 lbs.Home: New Orleans, La.#40 RONALD HENDERSON, PGClass: SophomoreHt: 5‟9” Wt: 165 lbs.Home: Gretna, La.High School: L.W. HigginsMajor: Criminal JusticePlayed 20 games last seasonTwo-time First Team All-District; twotimeMVP and 3-year Defensive MVP.High School: O. Perry WalkerMajor: Management Information SystemsTransferred from Shelton State CommunityCollege where he won the team‟sMost Improved Player Award.High School: West JeffersonMajor: MathematicsFour year starter at West Jeffersonwhere he won All-Metro honors, All-State honors in his senior year. Alsowon All-Defensive honors sophomore,junior, and senior years; averaged 15pts and 10 asts per game.Member of SUNO‟s Enhancement,Enrichment & Excellence in Mathematics& Science (E 3 MAS) program.#33 JARED DRAKE, SGClass: SeniorHt: 6‟0” Wt: 179 lbs.Home: Beaumont, Tex.#31 CALVIN JOHNSON, PGClass: FreshmanHt: 6‟2” Wt: 190 lbs.Home: Houston, Tex.#21 CRAIG KEMP, GClass: SeniorHt: 6‟7” Wt: 190 lbs.Home: Verdunville, La.High School: Clifton J. OzenMajor: Business EntrepreneurshipTransferred from Robert Morris University;member of the Chicagoland CollegiateAthletic Conference championship teamsin 2007, 2008 and 2009; played on NAIATournament Elite Eight and Final Fourteams in 2008 and 2009 respectively.Played 26 games for SUNO last season.Had 14 pts vs. William Carey (2/20/10).Won High school Newcomer of the Year;high school 3-pt contest champion; threetimestate championship semi-finalist. Sonof the late Leonard Drake, member of theCentral Michigan University Hall of Fame.High School: God‟s AcademyMajor: Management Information SystemsGoes by C.J.High School: CentervilleMajor: Management Information SystemsTransferred from Southwestern ChristianCollege.Played 26 games for SUNO last season.Averaged 4.19 pts per game; had12 pts. vs. Tougaloo (1/7/10). Had 3game-high 3 blocks vs. Belhaven(1/23/10). Averaged 2.96 rebs on theseason with 6 vs. Tougaloo (1/7/10) andMobile (2/11/10).Two-time First-Team All-District; First-Team Best of the Teche.6

THE KNIGHTS#3 BRENT LEDUFF, PGClass: SeniorHt: 5‟10” Wt: 165 lbs.Home: Baton Rouge, La.#32 JEREMY MONTGOMERY, GClass: JuniorHt: 6‟0” Wt: 180 lbs.Home: Palm Beach, Fla.#55 ABDUL KAREEM OSMAN, CClass: FreshmanHt: 6‟9” Wt: 235 lbs.Home: Toronto, Ontario,CanadaHigh School: Glen OaksMajor: Business EntrepreneurshipLast season averaged 11.63 pts pergame with game-high 28 pts vs Tougaloo(1/7/10). Averaged 3.89 assts withgame-high 8 vs Loyola (2/4/10) andWilliam Carey (2/20/10). Had 38 stealson the season with a game-high of 5 vsMobile (1/28/10), Spring Hill (2/8/10),and William Carey (2/20/10).2008-2009 season averaged 16 pts and3 asts per game; also had 43 steals.Selected to high school All-Districtteam.High School: Palm Beach LakesMajor: Criminal JusticeTransferred from Marion Military Institute;broke school record for 3-pointersin one game in senior year; selectedBest On-Ball Defender on the team.Received Honorable Mention of all areatop players in the class of „06.High School: New Creations ChristianSchoolMajor: History#1 CHRIS PALMER, SFClass: SeniorHt: 6‟5” Wt: 200 lbs.Home: Summerville, SC#34 RICARDO PORTER, SG/SFClass: SeniorHt: 6‟4” Wt: 210 lbs.Home: LaPlace, La.#54 MERLIN WALKER, GClass: FreshmanHt: 6‟1” Wt: 165 lbs.Home: New Orleans, La.High School: Fort DorchesterMajor: Business EntrepreneurshipTransferred from Frank Phillips College;ranked #45 in NJCAA Division I in offensiverebounds per game. Named “Mr.Hustle”.Last season played 27 games and averaged8.33 pts per game with game-high19 vs Belhaven (2/13/10); averaged6.93 rebs per game with 12 vs Belhaven(2/13/10).Made SUNO‟s Dean‟s List. Full name isRonald Christopher Palmer.High School: East St. JohnMajor: Elementary EducationTransferred from Delgado Community Collegewhere he was the team‟s OffensivePlayer of the Year; 2008-2009 ranked 23rd inthe NJCAA with 20.9 points per game; had asingle-game high of 38 points; two-year lettermanand Delgado‟s 2009 MVP. Two-time AllMissLou Conference player; 2009 MissLou All-Tournament selection.Played 27 games for the Knights last seasonwhen he averaged 13 pts per game; 31 pts vsPhilander Smith (11/24/09); ranked 5th inNAIA in 3-pt field goals made per game(3.519) and 6th in total 3-pt field goals made(95).Louisiana High School Athletic Association All-Tournament Team and Second-Team All-State; also First-Team All-District.7High School: West JeffersonMajor: Business EntrepreneurshipTransferred from University of Mobile.Served as team captain in high school;selected team MVP, district MVP, FirstTeam All-District, All-Metro, All-State.Averaged 20 pts per game, 7 asts pergame, and 10 rebs per game.

THE KNIGHTS#30 NICHOLAS WASHINGTON, GClass: JuniorHt: 6‟3” Wt: 200 lbs.Home: New Orleans, La.AUBREY WATSON, FClass: JuniorHt: 6‟4” Wt: 185 lbs.Home: New Orleans, La.RS LUIS DE LA ROSA, CClass: FreshmanHt: 7‟3” Wt: 210 lbs.Home: Cumana, Sucre,VenezuelaHigh School: John EhretMajor: BiologyTransferred Bossier Parish CommunityCollege.Played on now-famous post-KatrinaEhret 2006 state championship team;had a part in the movie “Hurricane Season”(based on that team), but did notplay himself.Goes by Nick.High School: Booker T. WashingtonMajor: Criminal JusticeTransferred from Lincoln Trail College;selected Freshman of the Year; ledRegion 24 in scoring; elected college‟sHomecoming King.Led high school district in scoring with27.5 pts per game; selected high schoolPlayer of the Year; selected high schoolAthlete of the Year.High School: Arlington Country Day SchoolMajor: Business EntrepreneurshipRS OMARI TREBUSE, PGClass: FreshmanHt: 6‟0” Wt: 160 lbs.Home: Brooklyn, N.Y.Knights 2009-2010 GCAC Rank, 10thType Games FGM FGA 3PM 3PA FTM FTA PTS Avg.Overall 28 756 1,659 196 515 439 650 2,147 76.68High School: Covenant ChristianMinistries AcademyMajor: Business EntrepreneurshipOpponents‟Overall28 726 1,638 138 463 494 762 2,084 74.43Conference Only 18 466 1,045 121 319 288 422 1,341 74.50Opponents‟Conf. Only18 470 1,015 91 285 332 504 1,363 75.72FGM = Field Goals MadeFGA = Field Goals Attempted3PM = 3 Pointers Made3PA = 3 Pointers AttemptedFTM = Free Throws Made8

RECORDS & HONORSCOACHES’ RECORDSRoger Hornsby 1972-1974 36-60Cirilo Manego 1974-1989 175-230James Butler 1989-1991 10-52Earl Hill 1991-2006 252-175Marco Borne 2006-2007 12-14James Rowley 2007-2008 5-20Dale Valdery 2008-Present 16-40GCAC CHAMPIONSHIPS1995 Men‟s Conference & Tournament1998 Men‟s Tournament2000 Men‟s Tournament2002 Men‟s Conference Co-Champs &2003 Men‟s Conference & Tournament2004 Men‟s Conference Co-ChampsGCAC RECORD1987-1988 Men—Highest 3-point percentage ina season (.435)GCAC PLAYER OF THE YEAR1995 Karriem Reed1996 Willie Quinn1997 Willie Quinn2002 Toshay Harvey2003 Roberto Ferriar2004 Roberto FerriarNAIA ALL-AMERICANS1997 Willie Quinn (2nd Team)2002 Toshay Harvey (1st Team)2003 Roberto Ferriar (1st Team)2003 Toshay Harvey (2nd Team)2003 Toshay Harvey (All-Tournament Team)2004 Roberto Ferriar (1st Team)2005 Lamar Clark (2nd Team)2010 Lionel Green (Honorable Mention)9ALL-CONFERENCE PLAYERS1987 Rod Felix1990 Herman Pope1993 John Young1994 Kurt Scales1995 Karriem Reed (Newcomer of the Year)1996 Karriem Reed1996 Willie Quinn1997 Kenyatta Nason (Newcomer of the Year)1997 Willie Quinn1998 Charlie Johnson1999 Eric McCarty1999 Leon Mitchell2000 Byron Wilson2000 Leon Mitchell2001 Nathaniel Bailey2002 Edwin Colbert2002 Toshay Harvey (Newcomer of the Year)2003 Roberto Ferriar2003 Toshay Harvey2003 Courtney Trask2004 Lamar Clark2004 Roberto Ferriar2004 Ernest Porter2005 Lamar Clark2005 Roberto Ferriar2007 Kevin Thomas2010 Lionel GreenGCAC COACH OF THE YEAR1995 Earl R. Hill (Men)2002 Earl R. Hill (Men)2003 Earl R. Hill (Men)

2010-2011 SCHEDULEDATE(S) OPPONENT LOCATION TIMENOVEMBER9th University of Mobile The Castle 7:00 pm12th-13th at the Andrew Elswick Classic Georgetown, Ken. Varies19th Philander Smith College The Castle 7:00 pm20th Jarvis Christian College The Castle 4:00 pm23rd Wiley College The Castle 7:30 pm29th at Nicholls State University (exhibition) Thibodaux, La. 7:00 pm30th Loyola University The Castle 7:30 pmDECEMBER5th Fisk University (GCAC) The Castle 4:00 pm16th Spring Hill College The Castle 7:30 pm28th-30th at the Miami Gardens Classic Miami, Fla. VariesJANUARY5th at Loyola University New Orleans, La. 7:00 pm10th at Spring Hill College Mobile, Ala. 7:30 pm17th at University of Mobile Mobile, Ala. 7:00 pm22nd at Dillard University (GCAC) New Orleans, La. 7:00 pm29th Xavier University (GCAC) The Castle 7:00 pm31st William Carey University The Castle 7:00 pmFEBRUARY5th Tougaloo College (GCAC) The Castle 7:00 pm12th Dillard University (GCAC) The Castle 7:00 pm16th Concordia College-Selma The Castle 7:00 pm19th at Xavier University (GCAC) New Orleans, La. 7:00 pm21st at William Carey University Hattiesburg, Miss. 7:30 pm26th at Tougaloo College (GCAC) Tougaloo, Miss. 7:00 pmMarch 3rd through 5th GCAC TOURNAMENT, Jacksonville, Fla.March 16th through 22nd 74th Annual Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division IMen’s Basketball National Championship, Kansas City, Mo.