Rider: Transfer Guard Should Step In

Rider

The Broncs have 58 victories over the past three seasons, a program record, and survived the graduation loss of now-NBA performer Jason Thompson after the 2007-08 season, finishing 12-6 in the conference and 19-13 overall in 2008-09.

The only loss of any significance from last year's team is Harris Mansell, who was the team's second-leading scorer (11.8 ppg.), but battled an elbow injury for most of the season and was never 100 percent.

Still, Mansell's graduation left a hole in the backcourt that appears to be filled nicely by an eligible transfer.

Eligible transfer

- Jhamar Youngblood, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound guard who transferred from Monmouth College. Youngblood was at Rider last year, so is now eligible. He is a strong off-guard with a good shot and is an above ball-handler for the position. Youngblood had considerable success at Monmouth, earning Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year honors for 2006-07 when he averaged 12.3 points and shot 52.5 percent from the field. As a sophomore, though, his shooting percentage dropped to 38.4 percent and he averaged 12.1 points. He should move into Mansell's role in the lineup.

Incoming freshmen

- Carl Johnson, a 6-0, 160-pound point guard from St. Thomas More Prep School in Connecticut. There, he averaged 18.7 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals per game. He is described as a player who runs a team. But, with Player of the Year candidate Ryan Thompson entrenched as the team's point guard for his senior season, where does that leave Johnson? Reserve minutes this year and, maybe, some time at the point to allow Thompson to move over to off-guard. Johnson is likely to be the program's point guard of the future.

- Jonathan Thompson, a 6-4, 19o-pound guard from Jones High School in Orlando Florda. He averaged 20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals there as a senior. A legit off-guard with good size and athleticism. Will provide depth this year, but has the potential to be a strong contributer in the future.

- Dera Nd-Ezuma, a 6-10, 215-pound center from Life Center in Columbus, N.J. Nd-Ezuma is a native of Nigeria who didn't begin playing basketball until several years ago. Reports indicate that he made major improvements last season and already is perceived as being able to affect games on the defensive end. Nd-Ezuma is a project right now, but athletic big men are rare at this level, and if Nd-Ezuma continues to improve he could have a future impact.