2022-23 Western Carolina Catamount Men's Basketball Digital Game Day Program - February 2023

2022-23 CATAMOUNT BASKETBALL – FAST BREAK POINTS >>>>>

CATAMOUNT MEN'S BASKETBALL

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26 ............ 2022-23 WCU Men’s Basketball Radio / TV Roster 29...............................Catamount Athletics Head Coaches 7................................. Catamount Head Coach Justin Gray

30 ..............Catamount Athletics Assistant Coaches & Staff

8............................WCU Men's Basketball Coaches & Staff

32 .............................................Catamount Athletics Staff

10...............................................Athletics Clear Bag Policy

34 .............................

12 .................................... WCU Athletics AD & Senior Staff

37..................WCU Women’s Basketball – Did You Know...?

16 ............2022-23 WCU Men's Basketball Schedule / Results

38 .............................................. the Cat House Pep Band

19, 21 ....................................................Opponent Rosters

42 .................................................. the WCU Dance Team

25........... 2022-23 Western Carolina Men’s Basketball Roster

44 .............................................. Catamount Cheerleaders

Court at the Ramsey Center

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CATAMOUNT MEN'S BASKETBALL

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HEAD COACH JUSTIN GRAY SECOND SEASON AT WCU

JUSTIN GRAY was named the 19th head men’s basketball coach at Western Carolina University on April 13, 2021. He scored his first career victory as a head coach in a thrilling overtime win over Bowling Green on Nov. 9, 2021, in his first game as Catamount head coach.

Gray came to Cullowhee after serving two seasons at Winthrop University and he had initially made the move to the College of Charleston with the staff's hiring in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Before his time in Rock Hill, Gray served as the Director of Basketball Development within the Deacon Club at his alma mater, Wake Forest, which came on the heels of a successful 12-year professional playing career overseas.

At Winthrop, Gray helped guide the Eagles to 47 victories over two seasons including a 24-10 mark in 2019-20 and a 23-2 campaign in 2020-21. Winthrop claimed the 2021 Big South tournament title and earning the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

With Gray helping coordinate the offense, Winthrop led the Big South with a 78.9 point per game average with a league-best 15.0 assists per game and 8.4 made 3-pointers per contest.

A three-time All-ACC selection in his playing career at Wake Forest (2002-06), Gray left Winston-Salem as one of the program’s most prolific 3-point shooters. He scored 1,946 career points over 120 career games for the Demon Deacons, finishing his career ranked eighth in program history in scoring while average 16.2 points per game. Gray continues to rank second on Wake’s career 3-pointers made chart with 319 treys and holds three of the top six spots among the school's single-season 3-pointers made list.

In his sophomore season, Gray and eventual first-round NBA draft pick Chris Paul teamed up to become one of the best backcourts in the ACC as Gray averaged 17.0 ppg on his way to All-ACC First Team honors.

In 2002-03, Gray played a role in helping Wake to an ACC Regular Season Championship with a 13-3 league mark.

His collegiate career plaudits also include being named to the ACC All-Freshman team, as well as a three-time USBWA All-District Team and two-time NABC All-District Team selection.

During his 12-year professional career overseas, Gray played for various teams from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Poland, Greece, Ukraine, China, Germany, France, Turkey, Lebanon, Bulgaria, Romania, and Belarus. He also had a couple of stints in the NBA Summer League. Gray won three Belarusian League Championships and three Belarusian Cup Championships. He also guided teams to a Czech Republic League and Cup championship as well as participating in the VTB United League All-Star Game in 2016.

Originally from Charlotte, N.C., Gray played at West Charlotte High before concluding his prep career at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. HE has two sons – Justin, Jr. (JJ) and Kristian – and a daughter, Jhai.

THE JUSTIN GRAY FILE PERSONAL:

Hometown: Charlotte, N.C. Family: Justin Jr. (son), Kristian (son), Jhai (daughter)

EDUCATION:

Wake Forest, 2006 – 3x All-ACC selection

COACHING EXPERIENCE:

WESTERN CAROLINA......... Head Coach..........2021–present • 1st career victory – vs. Bowling Green in overtime (11/9/21) Winthrop............................. Assistant Coach................... 2019-21 • Eagles had 47 wins between 2019-2021 • Winthrop won the Big South tournament title in 2021 • Led the Big South in scoring (78.9 ppg) and 3-pointers made (8.4)

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CATAMOUNT MEN'S BASKETBALL >>>>> COACHES & STAFF

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WESTERN CAROLINA ATHLETICS – DEPARTMENT SENIOR STAFF ALEX GARY DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Alex Gary, a former student-athlete on the Western Carolina baseball team was dubbed the director of the Catamount athletics program in late February 2020

by WCU Chancellor Kelli R. Brown.

Selected following a national search conducted by a 15-member committee working with the assistance of the North Carolina-based executive search consulting firm Collegiate Sports Associates, Gary had most recently served as senior associate athletics director for development at Oregon State.

During his first couple of years as the Athletics Director at WCU, Gary successfully navigated the department through the COVID-19 pandemic while also overseeing the hiring of 50 employees including three high-profile sport head coaches – men's basketball head coach Justin Gray; Kerwin Bell, head football coach; and Alan Beck, head baseball coach.

Gary was appointed to both the NCAA Division I Baseball Rules Committee and the NCAA Division I Women's

Kyle Pifer

WCU Deputy Athletics Director

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Ashleigh Simmons Associate AD for Academics & Compliance (SWA)

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Basketball Committee with terms running through 2026 and 2027, respectively.

Gary served as senior associate director of athletics and the department’s chief development officer at Oregon State from September 2017 through 2020. He previously served as associate athletics director for development and external relations at the University of Maryland from 2014 until 2017. He also has held development positions at the University of Michigan and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Gary’s professional experience in major collegiate athletics conferences, such as the Pac-12 and Big Ten, combined with his personal familiarity with WCU as a former student-athlete make him a perfect fit to take over the helm of the Catamount athletics program, Brown said.

A native of Knoxville, Tenn., who grew up in Charlotte, Gary was an outfielder on the Catamount baseball team from 2001 until 2004, earning Southern Conference Player of the Week honors in March 2004. During his junior year of 2003, he was a member of WCU’s regular season and SoCon Tournament championship team and participated in the NCAA regionals held in Wilson, N.C. While at Oregon State, he was a member of the executive leadership team responsible for the athletics department’s $85 million budget, 150 employees

Chad Gerrety

Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs

Julie Miller

Associate Athletic Director for Development

and more than 500 student-athletes. He oversaw the 16-member athletics development team, which raised nearly $26 million in 2019, a record for the Beavers’ athletics program. That fundraising effort included a $3.5 million sports performance center renovation, $2.3 million women’s locker room renovation, and $2.6 million baseball stadium expansion.

During his stint at the University of Maryland, Gary chaired a committee focused on the financial sustainability of the athletics department, and he led annual giving growth in the Terrapin Club by 22 percent in 2015 and 13 percent in 2016. As a member of the development team at the University of Michigan from 2010 until 2014, he worked closely with the university’s athletics department, raising $12.8 million to support the Wolverines’ athletics program’s capital and endowment needs.

He began his career in 2009 as assistant director of annual giving at UNC Charlotte.

He earned a degree in business administration in 2005 from Virginia Commonwealth University and his master’s degree in business administration at UNC Charlotte in 2009.

Gary and the former Katie Mavis of Saint Joseph, Mich., were married in a mountain-top ceremony in Oregon on Aug. 28, 2020. The couple has a daughter, Gianna.

Travis Chandler Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance

Daniel Hooker

Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations

Amanda Murchie Assistant Athletic Director for Business

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CATAMOUNT MEN'S BASKETBALL

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PRESENTED BY EDWARD JONES: JUSTIN CASTLE FOR CATAMOUNT FANS OVER 55 YEARS OLD

ONLY $25 MEMBERS RECEIVE:

- Free “Silver Cats” T-Shirt - Free Admission to:

1 Home Football Game 4 Home Basketball Games 6 Home Baseball Games Interested in joining? Please contact the Catamount Ticket office

Working with a Financial Advisor Help create a better future with a financial advisor who puts you at the center - New investors - Military professionals and veterans - Business retirement plans - Entrepreneurs & business owners - Portfolio reviews - Retirement income strategies

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CATAMOUNT MEN'S BASKETBALL

2022-23 SCHEDULE / RESULTS DATE

OPPONENT

LOCATION

TIME/RESULT

Nov. 7

at Georgia

Athens, Ga.

L, 68-55

Nov. 10

at Maryland

College Park, Md.

BRESCIA

CULLOWHEE

NOV. 13

L, 71-51 W, 112-45

Nov. 18

at McNeese State ^

Lake Charles, La.

W, 88-69

Nov. 19

vs. Lamar ^

Lake Charles, La.

W, 98-91 (OT) W, 90-88 (OT)

Nov. 19

vs. Lindenwood ^

Lake Charles, La.

Nov. 26

at UNC Asheville

Asheville, N.C.

L, 73-61

NOV. 30

GARDNER-WEBB

CULLOWHEE

L, 71-55

USC UPSTATE ( DH)

CULLOWHEE

L, 79-64

at Davidson

Davidson, N.C.

L, 72-64

BREVARD

CULLOWHEE

W, 99-55

DEC. 3 Dec. 7 DEC. 10

at Tennessee Tech

Cookeville, Tenn.

DEC. 20

Dec. 17

TOCCOA FALLS

CULLOWHEE

DEC. 29

UNCG *

CULLOWHEE

L, 72-47

DEC. 31

FURMAN *

CULLOWHEE

W, 79-67

Jan. 4

at ETSU *

Johnson City, Tenn.

JAN. 7

MERCER *

CULLOWHEE

Jan. 11

at Chattanooga *

Chattanooga, Tenn.

Jan. 14

at The Citadel *

Charleston, S.C.

WOFFORD (Blackout Game) *

CULLOWHEE

at Samford *

Birmingham, Ala.

L, 74-65

THE CITADEL *

CULLOWHEE

L, 81-70

Jan. 28

at VMI *

Lexington, Va.

W, 71-65

FEB. 1

SAMFORD *

CULLOWHEE

7 PM

FEB. 4

CHATTANOOGA (DH) *

CULLOWHEE

2 PM

Feb. 8

at Wofford *

Spartanburg, S.C.

7 pm

Feb. 11

at Furman *

Greenville, S.C.

2 pm

ETSU (Beat the Bucs Night) *

CULLOWHEE

7 PM 2 pm

JAN. 18 Jan. 21 JAN. 25

FEB. 15

RUSSELL JONES JR.

W, 75-65 W, 117-50

COLIN GRANGER

W, 71-60 W, 73-45 L, 95-76 L, 65-61 W, 76-71

Feb. 18

at Mercer *

Macon, Ga.

Feb. 22

at UNCG *

Greensboro, N.C.

7 pm

FEB. 25

VMI * (Senior Day / Pack the RAC)

CULLOWHEE

4 PM

MAR. 3-6

@ SoCon Championships

Asheville, N.C.

TBA

TYLER HARRIS

– Dates & Times are subject to change | HOME = ALL CAPS ^ – denotes McNeese State MTE event | * denotes Southern Conference game

VONTERIUS WOOLBRIGHT

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CATAMOUNT MEN'S BASKETBALL

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SAMFORD BULLDOGS No. Name 0 1 2 3 4 5 10 11 12 13 14 15 21 22 23 24 25 31 32 33 35

(Pronunciation)

Ques Glover Bubba Parham (PAR–uhm) Jaden Campbell Jaron Rillie (JAIR–uhn RILL–ee) Jermaine Marshall A.J. Staton-McCray (STATE–uhn muh–CRAY) Owen LaRocca (la–ROCK–uh) Marcellus Vail Daniel Lobach (LOW–bock) Quinn Richey Achor Achor (uh–CHORE uh–CHORE) Grayson Walters Britton Johnson Logan Dye Cooper Kaifes (KAY–fuss) Brody Boyer Nathan Johnson Joshua Hughes Clay Holmes Charlie Morrison Paulie Stramaglia (struh–MAG–lee–uh)

HEAD COACH: ASSOC. HEAD COACH: ASSISTANT COACHES: ATHLETIC TRAINER:

Pos. G G G G F G G G F G F F G F G G F F G G G

Ht.

6-0 5-11 6-5 6-3 6-6 6-5 6-1 6-2 6-7 6-5 6-9 6-5 6-4 6-9 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-5 6-2 6-0 5-11

Wt. 180 165 205 165 225 190 150 195 190 205 222 210 185 240 205 210 205 200 235 190 180

Cl.

Jr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. So. So. So. R-So. Jr. So. So. Sr. Sr. R-Jr. Jr. Sr. Fr. So. So. Fr.

Hometown (Previous School / High School)

Knoxville, Tenn. / Bearden HS / Florida Snellville, Ga. / Brookwood HS / Georgia Tech Brampton, Ontario (Florida Southwestern / The Rock School) Sydney, Australia / Link Year Prep (Mo.) Brighton, Ala. / Hueytown / Akron Delray Beach, Fla. / West Oaks, Academy (Fla.) Sugar Land, Texas / Fort Bend Christian Shelbyville, Ky. / Martha Layne Collins HS Durham,. N.C. / Moravian Prep / Rutgers Johns Creek, Ga. / James Madison Melbourne, Australia (Chipola College / Greenforest McCalep Academy) Mountain Brook, Ala. (Link Year Prep (Mo.)) Mountain Brook, Ala. (Alabama / Mountain Brook HS) Haleyville, Ala. (Haleyville HS) Shawnee, Kansas (Loyola-Chicago / Mill Valley HS) Palm Bay, Fla. (Eastern Florida State / Bayside HS) Adel, Iowa (UMBC / Sunrise Christian Academy) Woodstock, Ga. (Etowah HS) Brentwood, Tenn. (Brentwood Academy) Athens, Ala. (Lindsay Lane Christian) Mountain Brook, Ala. (Mountain Brook HS)

Bucky McMillan (Birmingham Southern, 2006) • 3rd season Mitch Cole (Montana State–Billings, 1992) • 2nd season Danny Young (Grand Canyon, 1990) • 1st season Neb Exantus (Southern New Hampshire, 2017) • 3rd season Brad Montgomery (North Alabama, 1989) • 3rd season

QUICK FACTS: LOCATION: Birmingham, Ala. ENROLLMENT: 5,758 PRESIDENT: Dr. Beck Taylor ATHLETICS DIRECTOR: Martin Newton WEBSITE: SamfordSports.com

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CHATTANOOGA MOCS No. Name

Pos.

Ht.

Wt.

Cl.

Hometown (Previous School / High School)

0 A.J. Caldwell

G

6-5

200

R-Sr.

Sarasota, Fla. (South Alabama / Riverview HS)

1 KC Hankton

F

6-7

215

Sr.

Charlotte, N.C. (St. Louis / Arts & Sciences HS)

2 Jamaal Walker

G

6-5

194

R-So.

3 Honor Huff

G

5-10

155

So.

4 Sam Alexis

F

6-9

190

Fr.

Apopka, Fla. (Apopka HS)

5 Jamal Johnson

G

6-4

195

Sr.

Birmingham, Ala. (Auburn / UAB / Spain Park HS)

10 Dalvin White

G

5-10

162

Gr.

Norcross, Ga. (USC Upstate / Norcross HS)

11 Ashton Smith

G

5-8

163

Jr.

Memphis, Tenn. (Southwind HS)

12 Johnny Taylor, Jr.

G

6-3

184

R-Fr.

13 Khristion Courseault

G

6-2

180

Jr.

Los Angeles, Calif. (Nevada / Houston Baptist / Loyola HS) Atlanta, Ga. (Lawson State CC / McEachern HS)

22 Demetrius Davis

(Pronunciation)

(KRIS–chun COR–salt)

Brooklyn, N.Y. (VMI / Perekiomen HS)

Ocoee, Fla. (Ocoee HS)

F

6-9

185

Jr.

33 Jake Stephens

C

7-0

275

Gr.

34 Randy Brady

G/F

6-4

215

R-Fr.

35 Grant Ledford

G/F

6-5

215

Jr.

Knoxville, Tenn. (Grace Christian HS)

55 Brody Robinson

G

5-10

150

Fr.

Houston, Texas (Houston Christian HS)

HEAD COACH: ASSISTANT COACHES: DIRECTOR OF OPS: ATHLETIC TRAINER:

(duh–ME–tree–us)

Chattanooga, Tenn. (East Hamilton HS)

Dan Earl (Penn State, 1997) • 1st season Ander Galfsky (Birmingham–Southern, 2015) • season Scott Greenman (Princeton, 2006) • 1st season Kenneth White (North Carolina, 2001) Tom Kiely (Seton Hall, 2018) • 1st season Brenda Rademacher (Wisconsin, 2014) • 6th season

Bunker Hill, W.Va. (VMI / Musselman HS) Chattanooga, Tenn. (Hamilton Heights HS)

QUICK FACTS: LOCATION: Chattanooga, Tenn.

ENROLLMENT: 11,489 CHANCELLOR: Dr. Steve Angle ATHLETICS DIRECTOR: Mark Wharton WEBSITE: GoMocs.com CATAMOUNT MEN'S BASKETBALL

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ETSU BUCCANEERS No. Name

Pos.

Ht.

Wt.

Cl.

0 Jeremy Gregory

(Pronunciation)

F

6-6

230

Fr.

Charlotte, N.C. (Oak Hill Academy)

1 Jamarius Hairston

G

6-4

193

Gr.

Salisbury, N.C. (Lees-McRae / Davidson County CC / Carson HS)

(jah–MARE–ee-us)

Hometown (Previous School / High School)

2 Jordan King

G

6-0

172

So.

Albany, N.Y. (Siena / Christian Brothers Academy)

3 DeAnthony Tipler

G

5-10

170

Sr.

Ashland, Miss. (Coastal Carolina / NE Mississippi / Ashland HS)

5 Allen Strothers

G

6-1

170

R-Fr.

Newport News, Va. (Menchville HS)

10 Josh Taylor

F

6-8

205

Jr.

Atlanta, Ga. (Georgia / Norcross HS)

11 Jalen Haynes

F

6-8

255

12 Justice Smith

G

6-6

215

R-So.

13 Brock Jancek

F

6-8

225

Gr.

Knoxville, Tenn. (Tennessee / Knoxville Catholic HS) Knoxville, Tenn. (William Blount HS)

(JAN–sick)

So. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Virginia Tech / Montverde Academy / Dillard HS) Lyons, N.Y. (Mansfield Univ. / Lyons HS)

15 Cameron George

G

6-3

185

So.

20 Kordell Charles

F

6-8

205

So.

Ontario, Canada (IMG Academy)

22 Jaden Seymour

F

6-8

205

So.

Charlotte, N.C. (Wichita State / Northside Christian)

23 Braden Ilic

F

6-9

225

Fr.

Morristown, Tenn. (Morristown East HS)

HEAD COACH: ASSISTANT COACHES: DIRECTOR OF OPS: ATHLETIC TRAINER:

(ILL–ick)

Desmond Oliver (Dominican College, 1992) • 2nd season QUICK FACTS: Mark Bialkoski (Georgia Southern, 2008) • 2nd season LOCATION: Johnson City, Tenn.

Joe Hughley (Central Connecticut State, 2019) • 1st season ENROLLMENT: 14,400 Vince Martin (Young Harris) • 1st season PRESIDENT: Dr. Brian Noland Aaron Jones • 2nd season ATHLETICS DIRECTOR: Dr. Richard Sander (interim) Brett Lewis • 1st season WEBSITE: ETSUBucs.com

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VMI KEYDETS No. Name

(Pronunciation)

Pos.

Ht.

Wt.

Cl.

Hometown (Previous School / High School)

(like Lewis)

G

6-4

195

Sr.

Kaohsiung, Taiwan (St. Mary’s Ryken (Md.))

1 Brennan Watkins

G

5-11

162

So.

Kearney, Mo. (Kearney HS)

2 Taeshaud Jackson II

G

6-4

210

Fr.

Denver, Colo. (Southern California Academy )

0 Louis Tang

(TAY–shawd)

3 Asher Woods

G

6-3

180

Fr.

Newnan, Ga. (Parkview HS)

4 Rickey Bradley, Jr.

G

6-2

185

Fr.

Milwaukee, Wis. (PHH Prep (Ariz.))

10 Tony Felder, Jr.

G

5-10

165

Fr.

Boston, Mass. (Malden Catholic HS)

11 Devin Butler

G

6-2

195

Jr.

Ridgeland, S.C. (Ridgeland-Hardeeville HS) Charlotte, N.C. (United Faith HS)

14 Sam Wolfe

F

6-8

214

Sr.

15 Cooper Sisco

G

6-5

185

So.

Frisco, Texas (Wakeland HS)

24 Tanner Mans

G

6-6

187

Jr.

Wichita, Kansas (Bishop Carroll HS)

30 Sean Conway

G

6-5

215

Sr.

Fairfield, Conn. (Fairfield Warde / Cushing Academy)

35 KC Etienne

(EH–tee–en)

C

6-8

225

So.

Newburgh, N.Y. (St. John Paul the Great HS)

42 DJ Nussbaum

(NUSS–bahm)

C

6-9

230

Jr.

Houston, Texas (Episcopal HS)

44 Tyler Houser

(HOW–zer)

C

6-9

235

Fr.

Camp Hill, Pa. (Cedar Cliff HS)

Andrew Wilson (Florida State, 2004) • 1st season Dave Davis (Warren Wilson, 1983) • 1st season Keith Chesley (Maine-Augusta, 2016) • 1st season Luke Colwell (South Carolina, 2022) • 1st season Ryan King (Virginia Union, 2010) • 1st season Lance Fujiwara • 35th season

QUICK FACTS: LOCATION: Lexington, Va. ENROLLMENT: 1,575 SUPERINTENDENT: Major Gen. Cedric T. Wins ATHLETICS DIRECTOR: Jim Miller WEBSITE: VMIKeydet.com

HEAD COACH: ASSISTANT COACHES: DIRECTOR OF OPS: PLAYER DEVELOPMENT: ATHLETIC TRAINER:

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CATAMOUNT MEN'S BASKETBALL

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Good Luck, WCU! ingles-markets.com

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2022-23 Western Carolina Men's Basketball – Updated Statistics

WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

2022-23 MEN’S BASKETBALL ROSTER

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> No. Name 0 Tyzhaun Claude

(Pronunciation)

Pos.

Ht.

Wt.

Cl.

Hometown (Previous School / High School)

(TY–jion)

F

6-8

235

R-Jr.

Goldsboro, N.C. (Morehead State / Moravian Prep)

1 Russell Jones Jr.

G

5-8

167

R-Jr.

Blythewood, S.C. (Winthrop / Westwood HS)

2 Vonterius Woolbright

G

6-5

208

R-Jr.

Albany, Ga. (Lawson State CC / Thomasville HS) Columbia, S.C. (Iowa State / Blythewood HS)

(von–TARE–e–us)

3 Tre Jackson

G

6-1

181

R-Jr.

4 Tyler Harris

G/F

6-7

199

Sr.

5 DJ Campbell

G

6-2

200

Fr.

Hampton, Va. (Kecoughton HS)

11 Cam Bacote

(BAY–coat)

G

6-3

176

Gr.

Hampton, Va. (Indiana State / Bethel HS)

12 Cinque Lemon

(SIN–que)

Charlotte, N.C. (Independence HS)

W

6-7

203

Fr.

Spring Lake, N.C. (Liberty Heights Athletic Institute)

13 Marcus Kell

F

6-8

206

Fr.

Rock Hill, S.C. (Legion Collegiate Academy)

21 RaSheed Jones

(rah–SHEED)

G

6-6

178

Fr.

Marion, Ind. (Marion HS)

23 Marlow Gilmore

(MARR–low)

F

6-5

195

Sr.

Norway, S.C. (Dodge City CC / Hunter-Kinard-Tyler HS)

24 Bernard Pelote

(pell–OAT)

F

6-8

217

So.

Savannah, Ga. (Catawba College / Woodville HS)

32 Colin Granger

(GRAIN–jurr)

F

6-9

247

Jr.

Suwanee, Ga. (Ohio / Lambert HS)

41 Miles McClure

(MICK-cloor)

G

6-4

227

Fr.

Franklin, N.C. (Franklin HS)

42 Jalen Higgins

G

6-4

186

Fr.

Raeford, N.C. (Freedom Christian Academy)

45 Elijah Cupples

G

6-2

200

R-Jr.

(CUP–puhls)

Harrisburg, N.C. (Bob Jones / Hickory Ridge HS)

HEAD COACH:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Justin Gray (Wake Forest, 2006) • Second season at WCU ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jayson Gee (University of Charleston, 1988) • Second season at WCU ASSISTANT COACH: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryne Lightfoot (Bethel (Ind.) University, 2010) • First season at WCU ASSISTANT COACH: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zack Freesman (North Florida, 2016) • Second season at WCU DIRECTOR OF BASKETBALL OPS:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Molly Bachand (Kansas, 2007) • Second season at WCU VIDEO COORDINATOR:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cody Cohen (Florida Atlantic, 2014) • Second Season at WCU ATHLETIC TRAINER:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kaylyn Norville (North Carolina, 2020) • First Season at WCU SPORTS PERFORMANCE:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Austin Davis (Michigan, 2020) • First Season at WCU CATAMOUNT MEN'S BASKETBALL

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WESTERN CAROLINA MEN’S BASKETBALL – 2022-23 Radio / TV Chart

0 Tyzhaun CLAUDE

6-8 | 235 lbs. | R-Jr.

4 Tyler HARRIS

6-6 | 199 lbs. | Sr.

13 Marcus KELL

6-8 | 206 lbs. | Fr.

32 Colin GRANGER 6-9 | 247 lbs. | Jr.

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1

2

Russell JONES JR.

Vonterius WOOLBRIGHT

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11

5-8 | 167 lbs. | R-Jr.

DJ CAMPBELL

6-2 | 200 lbs. | Fr.

21 RaSheed JONES 6-6 | 178 lbs. | Fr.

41 Miles McCLURE 6-4 | 227 lbs. | Fr.

6-5 | 208 lbs. | R-Jr.

Cam BACOTE

6-3 | 176 lbs. | Gr.

23 Marlow GILMORE 6-5 | 195 lbs. | Sr.

42 Jalen HIGGINS 6-4 | 186 lbs. | Fr.

3 Tre JACKSON

6-1 | 181 lbs. | R-Jr.

12 Cinque LEMON 6-7 | 203 lbs. | Fr.

24 Bernard PELOTE 6-8 | 217 lbs. | So.

45 Elijah CUPPLES

6-2 | 200 lbs. | R-Jr.

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CATAMOUNT MEN'S BASKETBALL

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WESTERN CAROLINA ATHLETICS >>>>> CATAMOUNT HEAD COACHES

ALAN BECK

JUSTIN GRAY mens basketball

womens basketball

KILEY HILL

CAITLIN DAVIS

KERWIN BELL

TIM ECKBERG

COURTNEY GUNTER

CHAD MILLER

JIM CLIFT

BRET BEAVER

JESSE NORMAN xc / track and field

KAREN GLOVER

baseball

football

softball

mens golf

tennis

cheerleading

womens golf

soccer

volleyball

CATAMOUNT MEN'S BASKETBALL

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WESTERN CAROLINA ATHLETICS >>>>> COACHES & STAFF

Kade Bell

Chazmon Scales Assistant Coach / DC Football

Assistant Coach / SPTM Football

Larry Murphy

Rudi Small

Rylan Wells

Trent Turknett

Nick Whiting

Taylor Svehla

Ashley Gasaway

Assistant Coach Baseball

Volunteer Assistant Coach Baseball

Director of Player Development Baseball

Jordan Worrell

Madison Pack

Lauren Brooks

Hailey Schenk Assistant Coach Cheerleading

Assistant Coach / OC Football

Brian Cochran

Jeremy Darveau

Cody Edwards

JJ Laster

Greg McGruder

DeAirus Whitney

Jeff Burger

Todd Shealy Director of Football Operations

Director of On-Campus Recruiting Football

Director of Player Personnel Football

Maryanne Kilgore

Madison Armstrong

Rob Sidwell

Daniel Haakenson

Gillian Urycki

Director of Women's Basketball Operations

Assistant Coach Football

Quality Control – Offense Football

Assistant Coach Women's Soccer

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Video Coordinator Women's Basketball

Assistant Coach Football

Quality Control – Defense Football

Assistant Coach Softball

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Assistant Coach Cheerleading

Assistant Coach Football

Volunteer Assistant Coach Football

Volunteer Assistant Coach Softball

Seth Graves

Megan Brown

Derek Beasley

Assistant Coach Baseball

JD Mundy

Kendra Samuels-Eaton

Jeff Korte

Assistant Coach Football

Assistant Coach Track & Field

Associate Head Coach Women's Basketball

Assistant Coach Football

Sydney Spears

Assistant Coach Track & Field

Assistant Coach Women's Basketball

Assistant Coach Football

Assistant Coach Volleyball

Eileen Van Horn Assistant Coach Women's Basketball

Chris Norris

Assistant Coach Football

Associate Head Coach Women's Soccer

Assistant Coach Volleyball

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CATAMOUNT MEN'S BASKETBALL

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WESTERN CAROLINA ATHLETICS >>>>> DEPARTMENT STAFF MEMBERS

Denise Gideon

Denise Gideon Director of Media Relations

Director of Video Operations

Evan Ellis

Patrick Mullaney Assistant Director of Video Operations

Director of Athletics Marketing & Fan Engagement

Director of Corporate Sponsorships

Ric Sisler

Jonathan Sessoms

Michael Gilbert

Arman Jones

Haley Mitchell

Matt Sawyer

Mark Conlin

Rory Jimerson

Trey Fisher

Kim Jamison

Mark Warren Director of Development / Catamount Club

Assistant Director of Development, Events & Stewardship

Assistant Director of Development / Catamount Club

Assistant Director of Development / Catamount Club

Taylor Holman

Todd Lawing Director of the Ramsey Center

Assistant Director of Operations – Ramsey Center

Steven Honbarger

Rob Reyburn

Julia Daniel

Aurora Goujon

LeeAnn Grayson

Tyler Spain

Kaylyn Norville

Ben Jacobs

Austin Davis

Connor Owens

Jacob Topple

Cody Jones

Mike Taylor

Director of Media Relations

Athletics Ticketing Operations & Marketing Assistant

Athletics Department Administrative Assistant

Director of Sports Medicine (FB)

Haley Bennington Athletic Training Intern (WSOC / WTEN)

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Assistant Director of Academics for Football

Associate Head Athletic Trainer (FB)

Director of Sports Performance & Nutrition

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Assistant Director of Academic Support

Lauren Rhyne

Assistant Athletic Trainer (XC/T&F)

Assistant Director of Sports Performance

Senior Academics Advisor

JP Hill

Assistant Athletic Trainer (WBK)

Assistant Sports Performance Coach

Tyler Pope

Director of Athletic Facilities

Assistant Athletic Trainer (SB)

Assistant Sports Performance Coach

Director of Game Operations & Facilities

Assistant Athletic Trainer (BASE)

Sports Performance Intern

Director of Athletics Ticket Operations

Game Operations & Facilities Assistant

Nick Mashburn

Assistant Athletic Trainer (MBK)

Head Equipment Manager

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CATAMOUNT MEN'S BASKETBALL

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RAMSEY CENTER QUICK FACTS:

DEDICATION: December 6, 1986 First Game / First Women’s Basketball Game: Western Carolina 65, Mars Hill 61 (12/4/86) First Men’s Basketball Game: N.C. State 96, Western Carolina 75 (12/6/86) First Men’s Basketball Win: Western Carolina 90, Tusculum 58 (1/5/87) 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Top Men’s Basketball Attendances: 8,114 North Carolina State (12/6/86) 6,024 Appalachian State (2/06/10) 4,765 College of Charleston (1/25/10) 4,603 No. 16 Kansas (12/3/87) 4,577 Appalachian State (2/26/96) 4,343 Chattanooga (1/14/06) 4,217 Georgia Southern (2/10/07) 4,178 Davidson (1/24/13) 4,121 Appalachian State (2/28/04) 4,107 Appalachian State (1/28/02) Top Women’s Basketball Attendance: 2,178 - vs. Chattanooga (02/10/07) (02/10/07)

FOLLOW CATAMOUNT BASKETBALL >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ALL SEASON LONG FB.COM/CATAMOUNTSPORTS @CATAMOUNTS | WCU_CATAMOUNTS 34 |

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CATAMOUNT MEN'S BASKETBALL >>>>> DID YOU KNOW...?

• Western Carolina’s HENRY LOGAN – the program’s all-time leading scorer – helped break the color barrier in college basketball when he signed with WCU in 1964 becoming the first African-American collegiate athlete in the history of North Carolina and perhaps at any predominantly white institution in the southeastern United States ...

Logan scored an astounding 3,290 points – an average of 30.7 points per game – during his WCU career and was a four-time NAIA All-America selection ... One of 11 in WCU’s initial Athletics Hall of Fame Class in 1990, Logan was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2000;

RONALD ROGERS

• WCU gave birth to the 3-point shot in the NCAA as former Catamount RONNIE CARR buried the first 3-pointer in WCU’s 77-70 victory over Middle Tennessee State on Nov. 29, 1980 … the ball he used is on display at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. … The shot was made from the left corner with 16:09 left in the first half (7:06 pm) ... Carr, who is in the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame, actually took and missed a 3-pointer from the top of the key at the 18:15 mark of the first half;

FRANKIE KING

• WCU finished as the 1963 NAIA National Runner-Up under head coach Jim Gudger ... With a 28-7 overall record, WCU won the Carolina’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAC) tournament and the NAIA District title ... the Catamounts then rattled off wins on consecutive days over Eastern Montana, Miles, Lewis & Clark and Fort Hayes State before falling in the championship game to Texas Pan American;

HENRY LOGAN

• In its only NCAA tournament appearance, the 1996 Catamounts led by WCU Hall of Famer ANQUELL McCOLLUM nearly pulled off the most improbable of upsets as the No. 16 seed fell by two, 73-71, to No. 1 seed Purdue in Albuquerque, N.M. ... the game was tied 71-71 with under three minutes to play with Purdue’s Brandon Brantley scoring the game’s final bucket with 1:30 showing on the clock at “The Pit” ... WCU had two looks at both a game-winning and a game-tying shot inside the closing seconds but both attempts missed ... the 1995-96 Catamount men's basketball team was inducted into the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022;

ANQUELL McCOLLUM

• WCU’s bid to play in the CollegeInsider.com Post-Season Tournament (CIT) following the 2009-10 season represented the Catamounts’ return to post-season play for the first time since 1996 ... WCU made its third post-season appearance all-time in 201516 when it traveld to Burlington, Vt., in the first-ever meeting against the Vermont Catamounts in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI); • WCU’s most recent former player to play in the NBA is KEVIN MARTIN, who played for the Catamounts from 2001-04 ... Martin, a 2019 inductee into the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame and the first-round pick of the Sacramento Kings in ‘04, was the FIRST Catamount to ever be selected in the first round of the NFL, NBA or MLB Draft;

RONNIE CARR

• KEVIN MARTIN (2001-04) and FRANKIE KING (1993-95) were both named to the Southern Conference's 100th Anniversary Men's Basketball team at the end of the year-long celebration in 2021.

KEVIN MARTIN

CATAMOUNT MEN'S BASKETBALL

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CAT HOUSE PEP BAND

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FAST BREAK POINTS

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CATAMOUNT MEN'S BASKETBALL

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CATAMOUNT MEN'S BASKETBALL

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2022-23 WCU DANCE TEAM FRONT ROW (L-R): Skylar Poulos, Naidelyn Cruz and Nicole Stauffer MIDDLE ROW (L-R): Matigan Rowe, Alex Henry, Kenzie Davis, Kimberly Hydrick, Alyssa Malgrat and Megan Normandin BACK ROW (L-R): Liv Wiesenhart, Samantha Harp, Bailey Burk, Julia Gerrer, Ashley Avant, Michelle Davis and Madison Tadlock

Friends.

Family.

Community.

We’re all in this together.

State Farm® has a long tradition of being there. That's one reason why I'm proud to support Western Carolina University.

Get to a better State.®

Charles Wolfe, Agent 180 Webster Road Sylva, NC 28779 Bus: 828-586-4026 charles.w.wolfe.bwll@statefarm.com

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1211009

FAST BREAK POINTS

State Farm, Bloomington, IL

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CATAMOUNT MEN'S BASKETBALL

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2022-23 CATAMOUNT CHEERLEADERS FRONT ROW (L-R): Hannah Wing, Airica Anderson, Caroline Lopp, Molly McAvoy, Sara, Grace Smith, Olivia Hawkins and Sarena Burrell MIDDLE ROW (L-R): Riley Ledford, Lindsey Mendzoa, Emma Shue, Kate Ammend, Marissa Clontz, Becca Kilpatrick, Kamdyn Anderson, Scotting Branning and Tiana Scarchilli BACK ROW (L-R): Isabella Fazio, Savannah Jones, Catie Osborne, Nathan Campbell, Riley Sanz, Kasi Jones and Makenna Shipley

UNITED WE PLAY. UNITED WE WIN. At United Community Bank, we keep our eye on the ball to bring you the best financial solutions.

SYLVA 1640 East Main Street 828-631-9166 Member FDIC. © 2018 United Community Bank | ucbi.com

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