Rider Men/Women Recruiting Update

Here's another in the series looking at incoming players to MAAC programs.

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RIDER
MEN

Daniel Stewart, 6-7 forward, Neumann-Goretti H.S., Philadelphia

Stewart averaged 12.7 points per game this past season and 11.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game two years ago as a junior.

“Danny comes from a terrific high school program and I am sure that our fans will enjoy watching him compete in a Rider uniform for years to come,” said Rider coach Tommy Dempsey.

Most sites actually list Stewart's height at 6-6. Most also indicate he is an "explosive" leaper whose statistics would have been gaudier had he been featured more.

Tommy Pereira, 6-2 guard, Canarias Basketball Academy of England

No statistics available, although Pereira did score 45 points in a league game this past season. He is reported to have long-range capabilities.

Anthony Myles, 6-4 guard, Polytech H.S., Dover, Del.

Averaged 21 points, six rebounds and four assists per game this past season.

Myles was the top-rated player in Delaware this past season, and had received some recruiting interest from higher-level Temple and South Florida before those schools filled scholarship spots with other players.

Jeff Jones, 6-4 guard, transfer from Virginia

Jones averaged 7.3 points in 18.3 minutes per game this past season for Virginia. He has been at Virginia for three years, so he has only one seaon of eligibility remaining. He can practice, but not play, with Rider this season. He will be eligible for the 2011-12 season

ANALYSIS: The incoming freshmen are likely to provide solid depth for a team that returns four starters and several bench players. Myles appears to be the most-likely candidate for the most playing time of the incoming players. A year's experience for him should set things up for him and Jones to be an impact backcourt in 2011-12.

WOMEN

Aisha Varnadore, 5-6 guard, Burlington County College (Pemberton, N.J.)

She averaged 15 points, three assists and 2.3 steals per game this past season. She has two remaining seasons of college elibitility.

"Aisha is a quick smooth perimeter player that has the capability to play the one or two," said Rider coach Lynn Milligan. "She excels in the open floor and is a multiple threat in the half court. She comes from a successful and well coached junior college team and is hardworking and determined to bring success to the Rider program."

Alicia Hall, 5-9 guard, John F. Kennedy H.S., Silver Spring, Md.

Hall averaged 15. points and seven rebounds per game as a senior.

"Alicia is a big guard that will be able to play multiple positions for us," Milligan said. "She can get to the basket as well as shoot the ball. She has a strong work ethic and is determined to be the best. She will add great depth to our young core of guards."

MyNeshia McKenzie, 5-11 guard/forward, Springfield (Pa.) H.S.

She averaged 13.8 points per game this past season.

"MyNeshia is an explosive and versatile player that will fit our philosophy immediately," Milligan said. "She is hard working and strong enough to play inside and out. She will be relentless around the ball and can burn our opponents in a number of different ways."

Rosalie Gentry, 5-11 forward, Downington (Pa.) East H.S.

She averaged 12 points per game last season.

"Rosalie is a terrific shooting post player," Milligan said. "She can hit from long range and cause significant matchup problems. She will be able to stretch defenses and open up our inside game."

Senada Mehmedovic, 5-7 guard, Carlisle (Pa.) H.S.

She averaged 19 points per game there last season.-

"Senada is a combo guard that can score and run the point," said Milligan. "Her ball handling skills and poise will allow her to run the offense as a point guard and her scoring mentality will allow her to play off the ball as well. She has great range and can get to the basket in the open floor."

ANALYSIS: Varnadore, who had a standout junior college career, appears the likely replacement for graduated point guard Amanda Sepulveda. Hall and McKenzie were both standout track athletes in high school and both will bring athleticism to the program. Gentry has an above-average shooting touch, and teams always can use that. Mehmedovic could also get into the playing group. Overall, a nice recruiting class.