Recruiting: Nice Additions for Marist Men

Here's another in the series looking at players joining conference programs.

Up now ....

MARIST MEN

- Chavaughn Lewis, 6-5 guard/forward, St. Mary's H.S./Manhasset, N.Y.

He averaged 23.9 points per game this past season and his team reached the New York State Federation Tournament championship game.

"He has the potential to be a prolific scorer," said Marist coach Chuck Martin. "His size and his uncanny ability to score the ball are tremendous. The sky really is the limit for him. He's the highest rated player from New York State I've ever recruited at Marist."

- T.J. Curry, 6-1 guard, Christ the King H.S./NYC

No high school statistics are available, although his scoring average was just slightly over double figures. Capable of playing both guard spots.

"He's made a living doing the intangibles," said Martin. "He's a proven winner and a strong, physical combo guard who imposes his will on the game. He can impact the game on the defensive end, and he has the ability to make open deep shots."


- Isaiah Morton, 5-8 point guard, St. Augustine (N.J.) Prep

He averaged 24.9 points and 9 assists as a junior, and 21.1 points as a senior.

"He's a prolific scorer from the point guard spot," said Martin. "He's going to be outstanding in the open floor. I think he's going to excel in our style of play."

- Manny Thomas, 6-5 guard/forward, Xaverian H.S./Brooklyn.

No statistics available.

"He's a long, athletic wing who can be terrific on the defensive end and keep people honest on the offensive end," said Martin. "His best days are ahead of him. We think he's going to make a tremendous impact on our program."

ANALYSIS: Marist needed height (only one likely contributor over 6-6 on the roster), and didn't get any. Thomas and Lewis are both perimeter players and won't help with the rebounding. Lewis has been listed as being 6-3 (not 6-5) in some reports, but will help a lot, maybe right away. He and Curry are best friends and a variety of sources indicated they would join a school as a "package." Several schools, some others in the MAAC, weren't willing to take both players. Morton might be the best of the bunch, even at 5-8. Height is important, but one of the league's all-time best players, Keydren Clark, was only 5-8, too. Marist's future progress will be predicated on Lewis and Morton. But, the program lost three players, through attrition, who would have been contributors this year. To expect freshmen to fill those roles isn't realistic. Provided everyone stays in place, better days for the Red Foxes are likely to begin in the 2012-13 season.