At the conclusion of Bashir Mason’s first season at Saint Peter’s, the graduation of leading scorer Isaiah Dasher and the team’s most efficient three-point shooter Jaylen Saddler made it clear that the Peacocks were in store for a retooling of their backcourt, especially after reserve guards Kyle Cardaci and Alex Rivera hit the portal in search of a potential new home in their last season of eligibility.
However, in early May, Saint Peter’s were gut-punched when incoming junior guard Jaylen Murray, a three-star recruit who was previously recruited by Texas Tech, Seton Hall and a variety of A-10 and MAAC schools, announced his entry into the transfer portal.
Following that major loss, just one true guard remained on the roster: fifth-year returnee Latrell Reid, a physical 6’3 two-way point guard who led the team in steals and assists and was second only to Mouhamed Sow in rebounds. Reid is a consummate glue guy who does the little things well, but is mostly a non-factor on offense.
Simply put, Saint Peter’s was in dire need of backcourt help, especially in the guard-centric MAAC, but Mason and his staff have worked hard, adding four backcourt additions this week.
On Monday, Roy Clarke was the first commit, a 6’4 210 grad transfer who averaged 6.2 points, 2.3 assists and a 32.5 three-point percentage in 26.5 minutes per game for St. Francis College in Brooklyn, a now dissolved program after the school decided to end their athletics programs schoolwide. A former standout at West LA College, where he showcased his two-way ability averaging 1.7 steals and nearly a block per game, Clarke has the versatility and physicality to contribute at a variety of positions next season.
Initially starting the offseason in the portal, incoming sophomore guard Brent Bland announced his return to Saint Peter’s on Tuesday. Ranked by EvanMiya.com as the Peacocks’ most efficient defender, it makes sense that the 6’3 205 Bland was previously recruited by Shaheen Holloway as his physicality and lunch-pail ability to defend multiple positions will earn him valuable playing time next season.
Two days later, Willingboro native and Richmond transfer Marcus Randolph announced his return to his home state after earning a regular rotation role with the Spiders during his sophomore season. At 6’5 195 and with a career 39.6 three-point percentage, Randolph provides a much needed shooting boost for a team that finished the season with the seventh worst three-point percentage in the nation at an inauspicious 29.0%.
Between the defense of Bland, Reid and Clarke, the passing of Reid and the shooting of Randolph, there is a balanced synergy in these three guards but the Peacocks were missing a true bucket-getter to help provide an instigator on offense.
That need was met on Friday with the commitment of Jaheim Tanksley. The 5’10 160 incoming junior from Moberly Area Community College, Tanksley scored in a variety of ways, averaging 16.6 points and 5.5 free throw attempts per game while averaging a 32.0 3P% and dishing 2.8 assists per game. An undersized combo guard, Tanksley’s scoring ability could force him into the starting lineup alongside Reid and even spell Reid of point-guard duties when Reid is on the bench.
Even though his size might keep him off the backcourt, it would be remiss not to include incoming senior Elijah Wood as part of this retooled offense. Originally a three-star commit by Nebraska, Wood has grown to 6’7 185 and most recently played at Colby Community College, where he averaged ten points and nearly three assists per game, now providing the Peacocks with a point forward option to play alongside or behind incoming sophomore and potential breakout star Corey Washington.
Each new addition brings his own flavor, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly how Mason will make his rotations. With four scholarships still open, a ton of variables are in play, but if the season were to start today, my prediction to the starting lineup would be:
PG - Latrell Reid 6’3 185 5Y
G - Jaheim Tanksley 5’10 160 3Y
G - Marcus Randolph 6’5 195 3Y
F - Corey Washington 6’6 180 2Y
F- Mouhamed Sow 6’9 195 3Y
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