Press Box: Martelli Jr. making the necessary moves
Illustration by Killian Goodale-Porter.
Kyler Gilliam, Staff Writer
After the departure of Ryan Odom to the University of Virginia, the VCU Rams and their new men’s basketball head coach Phil Martelli Jr. were in a rough spot with players such as first-year center Luke Bamgboye, first-year guard Brandon Jennings and second-year forward Michael Belle entering the transfer portal.
VCU only has a few scholarship players on the roster after VCU graduate student guards Max Shulga, Joe Bamisile and Phillip Russell, and graduate student forward Jack Clark ran out of eligibility.
Martelli looked to the portal and locked up the commitment of two of his former players at Bryant University: third-year forward Barry Evans and second-year forward Keyshawn Mitchell.
Evans is back in the A-10 after a productive year for the Bryant Bulldogs, averaging 13.3 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game, according to Bryant Athletics.
Evans stands at 6-foot-8-inches and uses his large frame on the glass and the defensive side of the ball. He is also an efficient scoring option, shooting 47% from the field and 37% from behind the arc last season, according to Bryant Athletics.
He won American East Newcomer of the Year after transferring from St. Bonaventure University. He was also named to the Second-Team All-American East and an American East All-Tournament Team member.
Keyshawn Mitchell stands at 6-foot-11-inches, which will make him the tallest player on VCU’s roster next season. Mitchell was the top offensive rebounder in the American East with 2.7 offensive rebounds per game, according to Bryant Athletics.
Mitchell would come to full form in the American East tournament averaging 14 points per game and 10.6 rebounds per game during the three-game tournament, helping the Bulldogs clinch their spot in March Madness.
Martelli also convinced hometown guard Brandon Jennings to stay in the black and gold this upcoming season. The first-year showed flashes in limited minutes behind more experienced Rams guards.
At 6-foot-4-inches, Jennings uses his length to be a pest on defense. He is able to pick up full court as well as disrupt passing lanes.
Jennings can also score at all three levels, shooting 39% from behind the three-point line last season, according to VCU Athletics.
Jennings scored 12 points in the opening game of the A-10 tournament against St. Bonaventure, with Shulga and Russell struggling, Jennings was crucial to securing that win that would lead to the Rams winning the A-10 championship.
Martelli philosophy is pace, Bryant was ranked No. 6 in the nation in team possessions per game with 75.4. VCU was ranked No. 272 with 68.2, according to TeamRankings.
Bryant would have seven more offensive possessions that could lead to more points than the Rams last season. Bryant also shot the fourth most field goals per game last season, according to TeamRankings.
Getting quick shots at the rim, especially off of fastbreak opportunities, is what Martelli plans on doing with the black and gold, reminiscent of the Havoc days in the past.
With the additions of Evans and Mitchell and the retention of Jennings, I see a bigger version of Havoc in the future for the Rams. So fans should be excited, with fast-paced high-scoring offense and opportunistic defense on the way.
