Our Men’s Basketball head coach Mark Vanderslice is going into his eighth year coaching for the team, and our assistant coach T.J Knight is going into his third. For this upcoming season, they’ve welcomed 5 new players to the team who are extremely skilled and eager for the season.
In basketball, there are 5 positions: small forward, point guard, shooting guard, center/forward, and power forward. These are some of the players who cover the positions and an introduction to some who will be participating in this upcoming season.
One position is called a small forward. This is a position where you play against small and large players. You can roam all around the court and have the ability to score long and close shots.
Tyler “Chip” Johnson is one of the players who will be in this upcoming season. He is 6’1 and is going into his third year at this school. He says
“A small forward is the most versatile position we’re able to do it all…I can’t wait to see what we’re able to do and can’t wait to be prepared to see when times get tough, what will happen.”
Also in this position is Devin Evans. He is a 6’9 freshman transfer student. Devin says that
“This is a chance to be great and make sure that everything that needs to be done will get done.”
A second position on the team is called a point guard. This position is where you run the offense, and this person is usually one of the team's best dribblers and passers.
Jameel Rideout is a 6’1 freshman coming straight out of high school. Jameel says
“A point guard is someone who brings the ball and controls everything on the court.”
Another player who plays this position is Demitrios Dixon. He is a 6’0 junior, and this is his 2nd year playing at USC Aiken. Demitrios says
“This season I hope it’s very fun and that it’ll be great.”
The third position is called power forward. This is a position that involves playing near the basket while rebounding and defending taller players and can relate to a center position except being a power forward but you are allowed to take longer shots.
Karon Boyd is 6’6 and a freshman. According to him
“I want to have a good year and we have a talented team so we should be able to win conferences and tournaments.”
Another player on the team is Jalen McCoy who is 6’5, and this is his 3rd year here. Jalen says
“This is going to be one of the most successful years and hoping to get lots of wins.”
The fourth position is a shooting guard. This position is where you are one of the team’s best sharpshooters and where you steal the ball on defense and score.
Jammy Pierce is a 6’0 freshman. Jammy says
“I am excited that we have a good group of guys and that it’ll be really competitive when playing against other schools.”
Senior student Tehree Horn will be playing his 3rd year at this school and is 6’3. According to Tehree he says
“I can’t wait for team bonding and another successful year.”
The last position for basketball would be called a center. A center is the tallest player on each team, playing near the basket. On offense, the center tries to score on close shots and rebounds. But on defense, the center tries to block opponents' shots and rebound their misses.
Chedlet Delva plays this position, and he is 6’10, considered one of the tallest players on the team. Delva is a freshman and new to USC Aiken and says
“I can’t wait for this season, i’m so excited to see what’s ahead of us and I feel great and confident.”
