Beavers close out recruiting class with addition of Hayes and Carroll

June 1, 2016

After an exciting 2015-2016 season, Blackburn HC Steve Kollar is excited to announce the 2016 recruiting class. These young men have made a commitment to be student-athletes at Blackburn College.

HC Steve Kollar had some very high praise for this year's class. "Our staff could not be happier with our incoming recruiting class. We have worked extremely hard in recruiting these young men and developing relationships with them and their families. This group is made up of high-character, hard-working young men, and we cannot wait to see the impact that they make on the floor and in the classroom. There is size, skill, athleticism and a lot of toughness within this group. We believe that each of these young men will make a big impact on our program and university. Blackburn Men's Basketball will be well represented over the next few years!"

Recruit Profiles:

Marcus Bryant, St. Louis, MO/Lift For Life Academy (5-10, 150lbs. Guard)

Achievements: Marcus averaged 9.7 points per game on 51.1% shooting from the field and 45.5% from the 3-point stripe. To go along with that, he had averages of 4.2 rebounds per game and 2.58 assists. Marcus excelled defensively as well averaging 2.26 steals per game. Marcus made the all-tournament team at the Affton Christmas tournament as well as the Lutheran Saint Charles holiday tournament.

Quote: "Marcus is a guy that has a chance to be an elite on the ball defender in this league. He uses his athleticism on the defensive end of the floor as well as slashing to the basket. He has extremely quick hands and the work ethic to get better each day. Marcus has a very bright future and we are very excited about it."

Jordan A. Clay, St. Louis, MO/St. Louis Vashon (6-3, 152lbs. Guard)

Achievements: Jordan was a member of the National Honor Society as well as the honor roll. Averaged 7.4ppg to go along with 3 assists, 2 rebounds and 3 steals per game. Shot 88% from the free throw line and 46% from the field last year. Jordan was instrumental in helping St. Louis Vashon win a state championship this past season.

Quote: "Jordan has very good length and athleticism. He can defend and rebound very well from the guard spot. He is a two-sport guy that is very talented in both baseball and basketball. He comes from a historic program in St. Louis and is fresh off a state championship. Jordan is an extremely high character young man and we are excited to see him continue to grow in all areas."

Ryan Kelly, Plainfield, IL/Plainfield South High School (6-0, 185lbs. Guard)

Achievements: Ryan was a team captain and scored 190 points on the season which came out to 6.3 points per game. From the 3-point line, Ryan shot 36%. He led the team in assists and charges including 3 charges in one game.

Quote: "Ryan was our first commit for the 2016 recruiting class and he has many of the characteristics that we look for in a player. He is a tough, hard-nosed kid with a very high basketball IQ. He can really shoot the ball and isn't afraid to step in and take a charge for his team. We are very happy to have Ryan join our basketball family and can't wait to see him grow as a person, player, and student."

Hunter Johnson, West Frankfort, IL/John A Logan CC (6-5, 170lbs. Forward)

Achievements: Hunter redshirted this past year at John A Logan CC. In high school, Hunter averaged 17pts, 7reb and 4ast his senior year on his way to becoming special mention all-state. While in high school, Hunter was also a two-time all-conference player.

Quote: "Hunter is a guy that has a very high ceiling, and as he continues to get stronger and develop his game we expect Hunter to be a difference maker in this program. If he continues to learn how to utilize his elite leaping ability on both ends of the floor, he can become an all-conference type player. He has the ability to rebound the ball and challenge shots consistently. Hunter will no doubt make a huge difference on and off the floor in his time here at Blackburn College."

Tommy Childs, Elgin, IL/South Elgin High School/Harper CC (5-10, 155lbs. Guard)

Achievements: In high school, Tommy was Co-Captain of the all-area team while also achieving 3^rdteam all-state honors his senior year. He averaged 19pts to lead the area in scoring. Tommy made it down state in the 3-point competition while also being invited to the prestigious Chicago Hoops all-star game after the high school season was finished.

Quote: "Tommy is a guy that has been out of college basketball for some time now. He has grown and matured into a fine young man and his skills have not left him. He's as quick if not quicker than anybody he will face on the floor at any given time. He's a very good on the ball defender and a natural scorer. We are excited to see how Tommy continues to develop as a person and player in this program."

Nathan Hinton, Ballwin, MO/Lafayette High School (6'2, 170lbs. Guard)

Achievements: Nathan's team finished the regular season as undefeated conference and district champions. Nathan was named honorable mention all-conference while averaging 5.2 points per game and 1.4 rebounds per game. Nathan shot 56.7% from the field and 34.6% from 3 point land.

Quote: "Nathan has the ability to defend and knock down shots. He isn't afraid to get up in somebody and guard. Nathan has tremendous character and we are happy to have him with us. We look forward to him doing great things on the floor and in the classroom."

Jaaron Coleman, Chicago Ridge, IL/Richards High School (6-0, 160lbs. Guard)

Achievements: Jaaron averaged 8.2 points per game to go along with 2.1 rebounds per game and 1.1 assists per game. He shot 32% from 3 point and 73% from the free throw line. Jaaron was named All-Conference in the SSC Red this past season while also making it down state in the 2015 Country Financial 3pt shootout.

Quote: "Jaaron is a very skilled guard that demonstrates top-notch leadership characteristics. He did a tremendous job leading his Richards' team this past season and we believe we will see that same ability as his career progresses in a Beaver uniform. Jaaron can really shoot the ball all over the floor whether it be mid-range or from 3, but also has the speed and shiftiness to go past his defender. We are excited to see him compete for us!"

Karson Hayes, Little Rock, AR/John L McClellan High School (6-1, 180lbs. Guard)

Achievements: Karson averaged 15 points per game, 5 rebounds per game, and 3 assists per game. In 2015 Hayes helped lead his team to an Arkansas High School State Championship. Hayes was a multiple All-Conference, All-Metro selection as well as being selected as the Little Rock School District Athlete of The Month.

Quote: "Karson is a flat out winner. He's a winner on the floor, as a student, and as a person. He has great toughness and leadership characteristics that you don't see very often. We are very excited to see how Karson develops as a person and player in this program. We could not be more excited about what he brings to the table in all aspects. As a player he's somebody that locks down on the defensive end and can score in a variety of ways. He has a chance to be a special player."

Ryan Carroll, Wilsonville, AL/Coosa Valley Academy/University of Montevallo (6-2 195lbs. Guard/Forward)

Achievements: Ryan redshirted this past season at D2 University of Montevallo in Alabama. At Coosa Valley Academy he averaged 17 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds per game. He was voted MVP of the team and was an All-Area and All-State selection. In the classroom Ryan was a "Gold Scholar Athlete" at the University of Montevallo, earning a 3.75 or higher GPA.

Quote: "Ryan is a very hard working young man. We are very impressed with how he carries himself as a person, student, and as a player. He fits exactly the mold of student-athlete that we are looking for. He's a guy that will bring his best effort every single day and willing to work for everything. Ryan has the ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter and plays with a high level of physicality. He's a very strong kid that will continue to get better as he gets back into the swing of things. We are very happy to have Ryan as a part of our family here at Blackburn."