2024/2025 Roster

[GoBearcats31]

Feels like everyone returning will at one point announce as well — as he has posted the same official “I’M BACK” graphic as Reed, Lukosius did.

Dan Skillings' turn -- he, too, announces I'M BACK. on social media

[red_n_black_attack]

Current 2024-25 roster outlook (post Sage Tolentino portal news)

Potential Starters:
Day Day Thomas, Senior
Jizzle James, Sophomore
Dan Skillings, Junior
Simas Lukosius, Senior
Aziz Bandaogo, Senior+

Bench:
CJ Fredrick, Senior+ (?)
Josh Reed, Junior
Rayvon Griffith, RS Freshman
Tyler Betsey, Freshman
Tyler McKinley, Freshman

Open Scholarships: 3

Do you think we play two PG's? What did Wes do those last 3 years at UNCC? I'd think Wes values defense and Reed will start as the lockdown defender. With Jizzle over Day Day, and Reed replacing NEwmann, we essentially have four starters back from last year, counting Jizzle as earning it at the end of the season or Day Day the 6th man.

Regarding the 3 open scholarships, you take the best three guys who accept an offer, transfer or high school, then let the class disparity work itself out later. I don't believe any team will want to spread scholarships out evenly as kids don't stick around for 4 years. I'd offer everyone of the UK huys who got released from LOI and play them if they accept. Some of them could push to be starters by conference play, and Wes was in on most of them at one point. To me, the only starters I'd name are Jizzle and Simas, with the other three dependent on who fills the scholarship, plus look for Rayvon, Tyler, and Tyler to push the starters for PT.

[leo from jersey]

Do you think we play two PG's? What did Wes do those last 3 years at UNCC? I'd think Wes values defense and Reed will start as the lockdown defender. With Jizzle over Day Day, and Reed replacing NEwmann, we essentially have four starters back from last year, counting Jizzle as earning it at the end of the season or Day Day the 6th man.

Regarding the 3 open scholarships, you take the best three guys who accept an offer, transfer or high school, then let the class disparity work itself out later. I don't believe any team will want to spread scholarships out evenly as kids don't stick around for 4 years. I'd offer everyone of the UK huys who got released from LOI and play them if they accept. Some of them could push to be starters by conference play, and Wes was in on most of them at one point. To me, the only starters I'd name are Jizzle and Simas, with the other three dependent on who fills the scholarship, plus look for Rayvon, Tyler, and Tyler to push the starters for PT.

the problem is unless there is major improvement - 2 pg on the team will not equal 1 floor leader. They are shooters being called pgs.

[Rufus]

Current 2024-25 roster outlook (post Sage Tolentino portal news)

Potential Starters:
Day Day Thomas, Senior
Jizzle James, Sophomore
Dan Skillings, Junior
Simas Lukosius, Senior
Aziz Bandaogo, Senior+

Bench:
CJ Fredrick, Senior+ (?)
Josh Reed, Junior
Rayvon Griffith, RS Freshman
Tyler Betsey, Freshman
Tyler McKinley, Freshman

Open Scholarships: 3

Apparently the starting five will / can change with booster interference long way to go before the season begins.

[leo from jersey]

Apparently the starting five will / can change with booster interference long way to go before the season begins.

well maybe the booster already had his way. Of course if one goes deep in the pocket for a NIL player, I imagine everything changes.

[sedz]

Do you think we play two PG's? What did Wes do those last 3 years at UNCC?

He used two PGs most of the time at UNCG (Isaiah Miller and Keyshaun Langley in the last couple years). Wes almost always runs out traditional lineups with small guards and slow bigs.

[leo from jersey]

He used two PGs most of the time at UNCG (Isaiah Miller and Keyshaun Langley in the last couple years). Wes almost always runs out traditional lineups with small guards and slow bigs.

So you can't teach an old dog a new trick. I remember the old NC teams CWM played on. They had the bigs and didn't Duke have the quickness.

[red_n_black_attack]

the problem is unless there is major improvement - 2 pg on the team will not equal 1 floor leader. They are shooters being called pgs.

I don't disagree about their lack of assists, but Jizzle can do what great point guards of the last 50 years can do: dribble penetrate and create a high efficiency shot, pass, or lob for the slam. Day-Day is more traditional PG in the mold of last 10 years or so, able to hit the threes per stat cast. If James could shoot 45% from three to go with his ability to blow by a defender, then he's an All-American Lottery pick.

[Lobot]

Rayvon graphic is up. He’s back

[GoBearcats31]

Rayvon graphic is up. He’s back

1. Aziz Bandaogo SR+
2. CJ Fredrick SR+
3. Simas Lukosius SR
4. Day Day Thomas SR
5. Dan Skillings JR
6. Josh Reed JR
7. Jizzle James SO
8. Rayvon Griffith FR (redshirt)
9. Tyler Betsey FR
10. Tyler McKinley FR

11. OPEN (Lakhin)
12. OPEN (Reynolds)
13. OPEN (Tolentino)

Five "official" announcements, plus implied Jizzle (I'm sure he'll announce with a graphic soon) and Aziz more or less said he's coming back. CJ Fredrick remains the question mark.

[GoBearcats31]

Also regarding Rayvon...

After 4 years and then some of many fans misspelling Yancy Gates' name (Yancey), just wanted to reaffirm that it is Rayvon Griffith (not Griffin). Have heard "Griffin" thrown around too much.

[Longtime Lurker]

I think Rayvon coming back speaks to a good culture having developed in Clifton (the fact that he was never sulking, always first one off the bench to congratulate his teammates, and putting up shots after games speaks volumes to his being a good kid). I really want this kid to be great for us, and help set the tone for bringing in more and more hometown heroes.

[GoBearcats31]

1. Aziz Bandaogo SR+
2. CJ Fredrick SR+
3. Simas Lukosius SR
4. Day Day Thomas SR
5. Connor Hickman SR (Bradley transfer)
6. Dan Skillings JR
7. Josh Reed JR
8. Jizzle James SO
9. Rayvon Griffith FR (redshirt)
10. Tyler Betsey FR
11. Tyler McKinley FR

12. OPEN (Reynolds)
13. OPEN (Tolentino)

[GoBearcats31]

1. Aziz Bandaogo SR+
2. CJ Fredrick SR+
3. Simas Lukosius SR
4. Day Day Thomas SR
5. Connor Hickman SR (Bradley transfer)
6. Dan Skillings JR
7. Josh Reed JR
8. Jizzle James SO
9. Arrinten Page SO (USC transfer)
10. Rayvon Griffith RS FR
11. Tyler Betsey FR
12. Tyler McKinley FR

13. OPEN


For those that care (using 247 ratings):
Dan Skillings #105 recruit in the 2022 class
Arrinten Page #57 recruit in the 2023 class (incoming transfer)
Rayvon Griffith #64 recruit in the 2023 class
Jizzle James #80 recruit in the 2023 class
Tyler Betsey #41 recruit in the 2024 class
Tyler McKinley #74 recruit in the 2024 class

[Rufus]

That's one heck of a three year span recruiting job. If the above ranking numbers are true indicators of the on board talent we now possess and this staff can develope them / get them to gel / play as a unit and not play hero ball there can be no excuses for here on out.