NASHVILLE – Kevin Carroll, the first-year head coach of the Trevecca Nazarene University men's basketball team, announces his initial signing class with seven new Trojans who will dawn the Purple and White in 2023-24.
Coach Carroll is excited to get to work with his new class and the returning Trojans, "We are excited to welcome our initial recruiting class to Trevecca. We have achieved our goal of filling immediate needs with veteran collegiate players while also laying a solid foundation for future growth. This year's class is filled with players from winning programs who have experienced success and understand what it will take to build our program. Not only are they skillful and versatile players, but, more importantly, they embody our "Live Your Legacy" culture. We are thrilled to welcome them to The Hill!"
The six newly added Trojans are Jamal Cannady, Jr. (Baltimore, Maryland), Robert Banks (Duncanville, Texas), Jalen Page (Murfreesboro, TN), Isaiah Divens (Murfreesboro, TN), Dulguun "Tommy" Gankhuyag (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia), and Spencer White (Carmel, IN) are joined by Justin Bass (Hampton, Virginia) who signed earlier.
There are three transfers in the class, the trio are Jamal Cannady, Jr. (Bryn Athyn College), Robert Banks (Spoon River College), and Jalen Page (Lee University).
The other four newcomers will make their collegiate debut this fall, they are Isaiah Divins (Blackman HS), Dulguun "Tommy" Gankhuyag (Centerville – Ohio - HS), and Spencer White (Carmel High School) are joined by Justin Bass (Kecoughtan High School)
The Trojans suit up for the first time in the Kevin Carroll era on October 25, 2023 at NCAA Division 1 Arkansas State University. The game will tip at 6:00 PM at 10,000 seat First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The first home game is on November 4, 2023 (4:00 PM) when the Trojans host their annual homecoming exhibition. This year the Trojans welcome Southeastern Illinois College to Trojan Fieldhouse for homecoming.
The regular season gets underway November 10-11 at the SBU Classic / Region Crossover hosted by Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo. Trevecca plays Southwest Baptist and Drury University.
The regular season home opener is November 15 at the Fieldhouse when Tennessee Wesleyan College visits.
The Great Midwest Athletic Conference opener is on November 30 when the Trojans host the University of Findlay.
JAMAL CANNADY JR. | DUNBAR HIGH SCHOOL | BALTIMORE, MD
Height: 6-1
Weight: 165
Position: PG
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
High School: Dunbar (MD) High School
Club Team: Team BBC
Previous College: Bryn Athyn College
PREVIOUS COLLEGE
Played for coach Sean Westerlund at Bryn Athyn College (PA) where he finished third in career leading scorer (1,045pts) after just two seasons … he finished sixth in NCAA Division III in scoring last season … led the nation and conference in made free throws … earned All-Conference honors twice – he was first team as a sophomore … was a Bevo Francis Top 100 Player, a two-time City Of Brotherly Love All Area Team … City of Brotherly Love Rookie of the Year … was the fastest player in Bryn Athyn history to reach 1000 career points … broke the Bryn season record for scoring, points per game, made field goals, made free throws, and single game scoring (37 points) … career leader is made free throws and free throw percentage … is a two-time team MVP … last season he averaged 23.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, two steals per game while shooting 48.1% from the field, 41.5% from three-point range, and 80.1% from the charity stripe … led the team to the top of the conference in team scoring back-to-back seasons and the most wins in school history in 2022-23 … as a sophomore scored in double figures in all but one game and collected five 30+ point games … had three 30+ point games as a freshman and scored in double figures in all but two games.
HIGH SCHOOL NOTES
Played for coach Paul Banks at Dunbar High School for three seasons and played his senior year at New Era Academy … named DMVelite All-Maryland honorable mention as a senior with 17.4 points, four assists, and two steals per game … led the Jaguars to the 2019-2020 MPSSAA Boys Basketball 2A State Quarterfinals and the 2019-2020 Governors Challenge Championship … earned 2019-20 Governors Challenge All-Tournament Team .. he was also the Class Valedictorian … in 2018-2019 averaged 14.3 points, four assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.6 steals leading Dunbar to the Round of 16 in the 2018-2019 MPSSAA Boys Basketball 1A State Championship as a junior ... in his sophomore season at Dunbar, the team won the 2017-2018 1A State Championship, with Cannady averaging 13.5 points, six assists, four rebounds, and 2.4 steals per game … as a freshmen he averaged 9.4 points, 4.3 assists, two rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game as Dunbar made the Round of 16 at the 2016-2017 MPSSAA Boys Basketball 2A State Championship.
Also played for coach Eric Brown with Team BBC where he averaged 20 points, four assists, and 2.7 steals per game … team made the Adidas Session 1 Final Four.
OTHER NOTES
His mother is Crystal Barnett, and his sister is Jamia Cannady.
Coach Carroll on Cannady, "Jamal was a highly sought-after player in the portal after a tremendous two-year career at Bryn Athyn. He is a dynamic playmaker with exceptional instincts for scoring and creating for others. Jamal's ability is only surpassed by his drive and passion for the game."
ROBERT BANKS | DUNCANVILLE HIGH SCHOOL | DUNCANVILLE, TX
Height: 6-6
Weight: 220
Position: Forward
Hometown: Duncanville, Texas
High School: Duncanville High School
Previous College: Western New Mexico University, Spoon River College
PREVIOUS COLLEGE
Played last season for coach Chance Jones at Spoon River College where he averaged 13.5 points, four rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game for the Snappers … he shot 51.7% from the field and 40.7% from three-point range,
Banks also played for Zane Gibson at Western New Mexico University … he was there two years with one season, 2020-21, interrupted by COVID-19 … he played in a total of 24 games averaging 6.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and an assist per game in the 2021-22 season … shooting 51.2% from the field with seven steals and three blocks.
HIGH SCHOOL NOTES
Played for coach David Peavy at Duncanville High School where he averaged 15 points and seven rebounds per game on his way to earning the Whataburger Classic MVP honors … helped lead his team to a pair of State Championships … his senior season, the team went 29-5 when he averaged ten points and five rebounds per game … shooting 48% from the field and 38% from beyond the arc … as a junior the team went 32-7 on the way the 2019 Texas State Championship … that 2019 team was ranked No. 1 in Texas and No. 12 in the country.
OTHER NOTES
His mother is Stacy Banks
Coach Carroll on Banks, "Priese is an extremely versatile forward that played for one of the top high school programs in the country, Duncanville (TX), before going to college. He possesses a unique blend of physicality, skill and intelligence that will serve him well in our system. He can effect the game on both ends of the floor with his high skill level and motor."
JALEN PAGE | BLACKMAN HIGH SCHOOL | MURFREESBORO, TN
Height: 6-4
Weight: 195
Position: Guard
Hometown: Murfreesboro, TN
High School: Blackman High School
Club Team: Team EAB
Previous College: Lee University
PREVIOUS COLLEGE
The right-handed combo guard played for coach Bubba Smith at Lee University where he helped lead the Flames to the first round of the NCAA Championships … played in 58 games over three seasons and averaged 3.4 points, 1.4 rebounds per game while shooting 41.9% from the field and hitting 82.5% from the foul line … added 34 assists, six blocks, and 29 steals … averaged 10 minutes per game the last two seasons … averaged 3.8 points per game in 2021-22 shooting 46.2% from the field and hit 16-of-18 (89%) from the foul line with 14 steals, 13 assists, five blocks, and 34 rebounds.
HIGH SCHOOL NOTES
Played for Barry Wortman at Blackman where he was twice named All-District and was an All-Region selection for the Blaze … helped lead the Blaze to the TSSAA State Tournament twice in his last three years with the Blaze … also played for coach William Beliford on Team EAB.
OTHER NOTES
His parents are Lakesha and Christopher Page
Coach Carroll on Page, "Jalen is a big guard that can play and defend multiple positions. Those around him are drawn to him because of his infectious personality, strong work ethic and selfless play. Having played behind two all-conference guards at Lee for the past few years, he is poised for a breakout season in a new setting."
DULGUUN "TOMMY" GANKHUYAG | CENTERVILLE (OHIO) HIGH SCHOOL | ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA
Height: 6-8
Weight: 250
Position: PF,C
Hometown: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
High School: Centerville (OH) High School
Club Team: Team Midwest
HIGH SCHOOL NOTES
Played for Brook Cupps at Centerville High School … helped lead the Elks to the 2022-2023 Ohio High School Athletic Association State Semi-Finals … also played for coach Brook Cupps on Team Midwest, who reached the Ohio Final Four … prior to his move to Centerville, he played at the International Sports Academy in Willoughby, Ohio.
OTHER NOTES
Played for Mongolia at the FISU World University Games in Chengdu, China during the Summer of 2023 … led the entire Mongolian Delegation out for the opening ceremonies carrying the Mongolian flag … in the opener against Romania, he led the team in scoring and rebounding with 15 points and six rebounds while hitting 7-10 from the field, in game two, he led the team to a win and added 12 points and nine rebounds in only a half of basketball.
His mother is Zadi Ganchimeg and his father is Dorjpalam Gankhuyag.
Coach Carroll on Gankhuyag, "Tommy is a versatile big that possesses a blend of size, skill and feel that are not easy to find at this level. He has benefited from playing for one of the top high school programs in Ohio, while also participating in international play for his home county of Mongolia. He plays as hard as any player I've ever recruited while also possessing tremendous instincts, making him the ideal center for our system."
ISAIAH DIVENS | BLACKMAN HIGH SCHOOL | MURFREESBORO, TN
Height: 6-1
Weight: 165
Position: Guard
Hometown: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
High School: Blackman High School
HIGH SCHOOL NOTES
Played for coach Barry Wortman at Blackman High School … named Main Street All-Midstate third team after averaging 15 points, seven assists, and five rebounds per game … earned two All-Midstate honors as well as two district tournament MVP awards … a three-time All-District team member … made the All-Region team … selected as the County Player of the Year … surpassed 1,250 career points … made the Honor Roll every year … led the Blaze to the District, Region, and Sub-state titles, reaching the TSSAA State Tournament.
OTHER NOTES
His parents are Lamar and Cherie Divens.
Coach Carroll on Divens, "Isaiah is a speedy floor general that excels in ball screens and the open floor. He comes from a strong Nashville-area program, in Murfreesboro Blackmon, and possesses an understanding of how to manage the game from the point guard position. We expect him to help our program going forward as he continues to grow in our structured player development program."
SPENCER WHITE | CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL | CARMEL, IN
Height: 6-5
Weight: 185
Position: Guard
Hometown: Carmel, Indiana
High School: Carmel High School
Club Team: Kyle Guy Elite
HIGH SCHOOL NOTES
Played for Ryan Osborn with the Carmel High School Greyhounds … earned honorable mention all-state and was a member of the varsity all four years … averaged 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists his final season … helped lead the team to the stats championship and a pair of sectional championships … he also played AAU ball for Jim Reamer and the Kyle Guy Elite where he averaged 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
OTHER NOTES
His parents are Jennifer and Eric White.
Coach Carroll on White, "Spencer is a big guard from one of the most respected programs in Indiana, having been part of a state championship during his prep career. He has the ability to stretch the floor with his high-level shooting ability on offense, while serving as a lockdown defender on the other end. Like our other signees, he is a gym-rat that understands what it takes to win."
JUSTIN BASS | KECOUGHTAN HIGH SCHOOL | HAMPTON, VIRGINIA
Height: 6-2
Weight: 180
Position: Guard
Hometown: Hampton, W.Va.
High School: Kecoughtan High School
Club Team: Team Push 17u
HIGH SCHOOL NOTES
Played for coach Willie Gause at Kecoughtan High School where he was a two-time All-District First Team selection … named All-Region while averaging 20 points per game for the Warriors team to the 2022 Peninsula District Championship … played AAU ball for coach Clai on the Team Push 17u.
OTHER NOTES
His parents are Tekisha Bass and Leon Bass, and his siblings are Christian and Bryson Bass.
Coach Carroll on Bass, "Justin signed with the previous staff and we were pleased he chose to keep his commitment to Trevecca. He is a shifty guard with tremendous athleticism and a knack for scoring the ball. He is working his way back from an injury that stripped him of most his senior year, but we are excited about his long-term potential."
FINALLY
Coach Carrol concluded his comments on the new Trojans, "I am pleased with our recruiting efforts and the direction our program is headed. In particular, I appreciate the great work our assistant coaches, Nate Moran and Luke Smith, did to identify and secure young men who are not only talented players, but great fits for our university. Now we will turn our attention to building a cohesive team as we prepare for the start of a new and exciting era of Trojan Basketball!"
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