Barbee adds a dozen to men's basketball program


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Tony Barbee's first year at the helm of Central Michigan's men's basketball program will feature almost a brand new roster. 

Barbee announced 12 additions to a roster that returns just three scholarship players from last season. Among the newcomers are eight transfers and four freshmen. 

"We're excited to welcome all 12 newcomers to the program," Barbee said in a press release. "We think all will make major contributions and will join with the players who are already here in delivering an exciting, fast-paced, hard-nosed brand of basketball as we look to establish a new championship culture here at Central Michigan." 

The 12 additions will join a roster of just four returning players: guard/forward Ralph Bissainthe,  forwards Caleb Hodgson and Aundre Polk and walk-on guard Dylan Jergens. 

Harrison Henderson
Year: Graduate senior
Previous schools: Southern (2021), Milwaukee (2018-20), USC (2016-18)
Position: Forward
Hometown: Dallas, Texas

The scoop: The former three-star recruit saw limited action at USC and dealt with injuries at Milwaukee before finding a groove last season at Southern. He set career-highs in nearly every statistical category last season and comes to CMU looking to build off that momentum. 

Cam Healy
Year: Junior
Previous school: Albany
Position: Guard
Hometown: Sydney, Austrailia

The scoop: A sharp-shooting guard who spent the last three seasons contributing for the Great Danes. Healy was dynamite as a freshman, averaging 16 points per game. After a solid sophomore campaign, he dealt with injuries last season and saw his playing time diminish. 

Jermaine Jackson Jr.
Year: Junior
Previous schools: Long Island-Brooklyn (2018-21), Detroit Mercy (2017-18)
Position: Guard
Hometown: Shelby Township, Michigan

The scoop: Jackson was part of the Horizon League All-Freshman team in his one season at Detroit Mercy before heading to LIU. Last season, Jackson averaged 15 points per game while starting all 15 of the Sharks games. He comes to the program with Marlon Williamson, a former LIU assistant who now holds the same role with the Chippewas. 

Brian Taylor
Year: Junior
Previous school: University of Illinois-Chicago
Position: Guard/Forward
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan

The scoop: After graduating from Edison Public School Academy in Detroit, Taylor averaged three points a game in two seasons with the Flames. He's back in Michigan and looks to use his versatility to make an impact early. 

Miroslav Stafl
Year: Sophomore
Previous school: Hartford
Position: Forward
Hometown: Liberec, Czech Republic

The scoop: Stafl started 47 of the 52 games he played in two seasons at Hartford. He's shot at a 56 percent clip and averaged career-highs in points, rebounds and blocks last season. 

Ryan Wade
Year: Sophomore
Previous school: Holy Cross
Position: Guard
Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan

The scoop: Barbee and company bring back another Michigan prep star. After scoring over 1,000 points at Skyline High School, Wade spent two seasons alternating between a starter and reserve for the Crusaders, averaging a tick over five points per game. 

Rastislav Sipkovsky
Year: Sophmore
Previous school: Hartford
Position: Guard/Forward
Hometown: Sered, Slovokia

The scoop: A teammate of Stafl's at Hartford, Sipkovsky played in just eight games last season. He has yet to score his first collegiate basket. 

Oscar Lopez
Year: Sophomore
Previous school: DePaul
Position: Guard
Hometown: Cypress, California

The scoop: Lopez follows Shane Heirman, formerly an assistant at DePaul, to CMU. Heirman is now the associate head coach, while Lopez will look to carve out a role in the rotation. He played in 25 games total with the Blue Demons, but just four last season after suffering a knee injury. 

Kevin Miller
Year: Freshman
Previous school:
Victory Rock Prep (Florida)
Position: Guard
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

The scoop: Miller was the first high schooler to commit to Barbee. The Chicago native held offers from UIC, DePaul and Arkansas State before committing to CMU and should see playing time early on. 

Tony Green Jr.
Year: Freshman
Previous school: Naples High School
Position: Guard/Forward
Hometown: Naples, Florida

The scoop: The hybrid guard-forward was the Southwest Florida boys basketball Player of the Year last season. He played AAU with Team Speights, a program run by 11-year NBA veteran Marreese Speights. Green is another versatile player who could be a star in time. 

Nicolas Pavrette
Year: Freshman
Previous school: Central Pointe Christian Academy (Florida)
Position: Center
Hometown: Lyon, France

The scoop: An international product, Pavrette spent last season showing his skills at a prep school in Florida. He was a late addition to the program, committing in August. It's uncertain what his role will look like in 2021.

Jack Webb
Year: Freshman
Previous school: South Mission High School (Kansas)
Position: Guard
Hometown: Leawood, Kansas

The scoop: A walk-on, Webb has a good skill-set. He displayed good outside shooting at South Mission High School. He also played for Rise & Grind Basketball Club out of the Kansas City area during the summer. 

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