2025-26 EASTERN ILLINOIS PANTHERS
MEN’S BASKETBALL
MARKUS BLACKWELL
Highschool Warren Lincoln
Markus Blackwell would likely be playing football or baseball if he weren’t on the basketball court. He is currently undecided on his major but is exploring his options to find the best fit. His favorite place to eat in Charleston is Qdoba. If he had a week off, he would spend it in the Maldives. Home for Blackwell is Detroit, Michigan, which is special because of the great people and good food. He says, “I’m a hard-working guy who loves to compete and win.”
HIGH SCHOOL: Named Michigan Division 2 Player of the Year as a senior at Warren Lincoln High School... averaged 19 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists per game leading team to second straight title... named conference Player of the Year for second straight season earning second straight AllState honor... was a four time first-team All-Conference selection... as a junior was named the conference Player of the Year averaging 23.9 points, 6.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game leading Warren Lincoln to its first Michigan DII State Championship finishing the year with a 24-4 record... first team All-State Dream Team selection along with first team All-Metro and first team All-State East Captain as a junior... averaged 18.9 points, 4.3 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game. during sophomore season as the team was 20-5... as a freshman averaged 14.2 points, 4.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds leading the team to an 18-4 record... led team to the conference championship all four seasons...
JT ELDER
Highschool Phoenix Prep (PHH)
JT Elder would likely be playing football or MMA if he weren’t on the basketball court. He is studying organizational leadership to build connections that can help set up a future for his son. His favorite food spot is Chipotle. If given a week off, he’d go to the Bahamas. Home for Elder is Arizona, where his son and the people who supported him growing up live. He shares, “I’m willing to do anything to make this program great again. I’m the first in my family to live out this dream of college basketball, and as someone who was adopted, giving back to the foster system is very important to me.”
JUNIOR COLLEGE: Played one season (2024-25) at Eastern Arizona College helping the team post a 29-4 record and appearance in the District Championship game... averaged 11.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last season earning second team All-Conference honors in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference... posted 22 double figure scoring games for the year while shooting 53.2 percent from the field...
SAN JOSE STATE: Played freshman season (2022-23) at San Jose State appearing in 17 games on a team that advanced to the second round of the CBI... averaged 1.6 points and 0.6 rebounds per game... season high five rebounds against New Mexico... season high four points against Bethesda, Cal Poly and Colorado State...
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Phoenix Prep High School (PHH Prep)... was a Grand Session All-Star selection as a prep athlete... played AAU for Powerhouse...
MEECHIE WHITE
Meechie White would likely be playing baseball if he weren’t on the basketball court. He is majoring in sport management because he hopes to become an athletic director one day. His favorite food spots in Charleston are Kamikaze and Qdoba. If given a week off, his dream vacation would be to Florida. Home for White is Louisville, Kentucky — known for its underdog spirit. He adds, “I can play the piano.”
JUNIOR COLLEGE: Played the last two seasons at Three Rivers CC... in 2024-25 helped lead the program to its first NJCAA National Tournament appearance since the 2012 season... averaged 13 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game earning All-Region 16 honors and first team All-Missouri Community College Athletic Conference honors... averaged 21.5 points per game in the Region XVI Tournament... was a second team All-Region and second team All-MCCAC selection as a freshman (2023-24) at Three Rivers CC averaging 9.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game...
HIGH SCHOOL: Helped lead Male High School to back-to-back regional championships during junior and senior years...
DRE WASHINGTON
Dre Washington would likely be playing football if he weren’t on the basketball court. He is majoring in sports administration because he’s been involved in athletics his whole life and hopes to stay connected as an athletic director or event coordinator someday. His favorite food spots in Charleston are Dirty’s and Burger King. If given a week off, his dream vacation would be Tokyo or Bora Bora. Home for Washington is New York City — a place full of energy and opportunity that he calls the best city in the world. He says, “I am a high-character, determined, focused, and intelligent young man with big dreams ahead.”
LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY
Member of Long Island University program for four seasons (2021-25) appearing in 67 games with 19 starts...
2024-25 (SENIOR): Missed all of 2024-25 season due to injury...
2023-24 (JUNIOR): Played in 24 games making two starts during the season... averaged 6.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game... scored a season high 18 points in Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament Quarterfinal... scored in double figures in six games including four double figures games in last five games of the season... passed out a season high four assists in opener against Air Force...
2022-23 (SOPHOMORE): Played in 18 games making 17 starts during the season.... averaged 11.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game... scored a season high 37 points against Saint Francis (Pa.) knocking down six 3-pointers in the game... missed opening ten games of season due to injury with first action on December 18 against James Madison with 19 points... made first collegiate start on December 22 against Purchase... named NEC Prime Performer on Dec. 19 and Dec. 20... had 11 double figure scoring games during the season... passed out a season high six assists against St. Francis Brooklyn...
2021-22 (FRESHMAN): Played in 25 games during the season with all playing time coming off the bench... averaged 1.8 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game... made collegiate debut on November 9 at San Francisco... had lone double figure scoring game of the season with 11 points against Sacred Heart... passed out a season high seven assists to go along with nine points against Merchant Marine Academy...
HIGH SCHOOL: Is a native of Staten Island, NY and graduated from Williston Northampton High School in East Hampton, Massachusetts... was a two-time team MVP and All-NEPSAC as a senior averaging 18.4 points and 5.0 assists per game... ranked in Top 20 in Massachusetts... also lettered in football and track/cross country... played AAU for PSA Cardinals in Bronx with team advancing to Peach Jam semifinals...
ZION FRUSTER
Zion Fruster would likely be playing soccer if he weren’t on the basketball court. He is studying sports management with a minor in business because he’s interested in becoming a physical sports trainer. He enjoys grabbing a bite at Dirty’s while in Charleston. If given a week off, his dream vacation would be Hawaii. Home for Fruster is Georgia, which is special because it means being able to see his family. When it comes to connecting with Panther fans and donors, he shares, “ROLL THERS!”
2024-25 (JUNIOR): Played in 28 of 31 games for the season making 21 starts... opened season scoring in double figures in three straight games finishing year with 17 total double figure scoring games and a 11.6 points per game average... knocked down at least one 3-pointer in first 19 games of the season finishing year with 36 total 3-pointers made and shooting 35 percent from 3-point range... scored a season 29 points in road win at Lindenwood going 3-of-6 from 3-point range and 8-of-10 from the free throw line... followed that game with second straight 20-point effort scoring 23 points against Western Illinois... shot 40.6 percent from the field and 76.7 percent from the free throw line... pulled down a season high seven rebounds against Tennessee State... averaged 3.1 rebounds per game... had 29 steals and 33 assists for the season...
VIRGINIA WISE
Played two seasons at Virginia Wise (2022-24) appearing in 46 games...
2023-24 (SOPHOMORE): Played in 17 games making 14 starts missing the final month of the season due to injury... despite injury still led program in scoring averaging 18.0 points per game shooting 46.6 percent from the field with 30 made 3-pointers... added 4.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game... scored in double figures in 15 of 17 games with five games with 20 or more points... scored a season high 34 points against Mars Hill going 13-of-13 from the foul line... added 20-point performances against Johnson & Wales (20), Newberry (24), Emory & Henry (21), Lenoir-Rhyne (22) and Carson-Newman (20)... collected a double-double against Mars Hill finishing with 12 rebounds to go with the 34 points and a season high seven assists... posted a season high seven steals against Newberry...
2022-23 (FRESHMAN): Played in 29 games making one start during the 2022-23 season... averaged 7.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game... scored in double figures in seven games... scored a season high 21 points in one start of the year against Clinton College... added a 20-point game against Virginia Lynchburg... shot 41.8 percent from the floor knocking down 20 3-pointers... pulled down a season high six rebounds against both Virginia Lynchburg and Limestone... passed out a season high four assists in three games against Emory & Henry, Clinton College and Lenoir-Rhyne... had a season high four steals against Clinton College...
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Alexander High School averaging 15.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game as a senior... led team to a 24-5 record and Georgia Class 6A state playoff appearance...
KYLE LAYTON
Highschool Mountain Brook (Ala.)
Kyle Layton would likely be playing baseball if he weren’t on the basketball court. He is majoring in finance because he loves understanding how money works. His favorite restaurant in Charleston is Kamikaze. If given a week off, his dream vacation would be Dubai. Home for Layton is Alabama, made special by his family. He says, “I love to trade and invest.”
TENNESSEE TECH
Played two seasons (2023-25) at Tennessee Tech appearing in 63 games with 44 starts...
SOPHOMORE (2024-25): Played in all 32 games making 30 starts... averaged 8.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game... knocked down 61 3-pointers during the season which ranked 8th in the OVC for the season for 3-pointers made... scored in double figures in 14 games with a season high 20 points at Tennessee State... knocked down a season high five 3-pointers against both Presbyterian College and Little Rock... posted a season high five rebounds against Morehead State with a season high four steals at Georgia...
FRESHMAN (2023-24): Played in all 31 games making 14 starts... averaged 4.4 points per game for the season... had five double figure scoring games for the season with a season 14 points against Eastern Illinois and at Little Rock... named OVC Freshman of the Week one time during the season...
HIGH SCHOOL: Was born in McKinney, Texas and attended high school at Mountain Brook High School in Alabama... missed most of senior season due to injury after averaging 14.9 points, 3 assists and 3 steals per game as a junior returned for the final few weeks of senior season and helped lead team to an Alabama Class 6A runner-up appearance falling in the state title game... earned All-South Metro Third Team honors and team reached the regional finals during both sophomore and junior seasons...
PRINCE JOHNSON
Pebblebrook (Ga.)
Prince Johnson would likely be playing football if he weren’t on the basketball court. He is majoring in organizational leadership because he wants to use his leadership abilities in the future. His favorite restaurant in Charleston is Kamikaze. If he had a week off, he’d spend it at home. Home for Johnson is Bennettsville, South Carolina, where his family is — making it a special place for him. He says, “Hard worker and winner.”
JUNIOR COLLEGE: Played 2024-25 season at Gulf Coast State College... averaged 6.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game playing in 33 games... finished the season with eight double figure scoring games while connecting for 56.7 percent from the floor... around the rim led Gulf Coast with 32 blocks which ranked 11th in the FCSAA for the season... played freshman college season (2023-24) at Chipola College appearing in 13 games shooting 57.1 percent from the field.
HIGH SCHOOL: Native of Bennettsville, South Carolina, competed at Pebblebrook High School in Georgia during senior season and was rated the 8th-best power forward in the state of Georgia by SandysSpeiels. com... began prep career playing at Marlboro County High School leading team to the South Carolina AAA Region 6 championship... played on the club level with the Atlanta Celtics.
PRESTON TURNER
Highschool East Carter
Preston Turner would likely be playing golf if he weren’t on the basketball court. He is majoring in business administration because it’s a broad area that offers many career paths. His go-to place in Charleston is Dirty’s. If he had a week off, he’d travel to Bora Bora. Home for Turner is Ellsinore, Missouri, where his friends and family live. He shares, “I want the same thing that they want — a championship!”
JUNIOR COLLEGE: Played the last two seasons at Mineral Area CC... earned first team All-Region honors and first team All-Missouri Community College Athletic Conference honors in 2024-25 averaging 13.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game... finished the season with 23 double figure scoring contests... averaged 11.3 points and 4.7 rebounds earning both second team All-Region and second team All-MCCAC honors in first season (2023-24) at Mineral Area CC...
TRUMAN STATE: Redshirted 2022-23 season at Truman State...
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended East Carter High School... was a standout basketball and football player earning All-Conference honors...
MALIK OLAFIOYE
Malik Olafioye would likely be playing football if he weren’t on the basketball court. He is majoring in communications to strengthen his communication skills. His favorite food spot in Charleston is Kamikaze. If given a week off, his dream vacation would be Paris. Home for Olafioye is Ecorse, Michigan, where his family built lasting relationships and memories. He shares, “I don’t take this opportunity for granted. Every time I step on the court, I’m representing my family, teammates, and the EIU community. I’m committed to working hard and helping our program succeed — on and off the court.”
2024-25 (RS-FRESHMAN): Played in 23 of 31 games during the season missing games in late January and early February due to injury... made 12 starts with first career start at Big Ten member Northwestern... had four points with five assists and just one turnover as EIU lost in overtime at Northwestern... had back-to-back double figure scoring games with ten points at Southeast Missouri in OVC opener and 11 points in home win over Blackburn College... averaged 3.8 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists per games for the season... pulled down a season high five rebounds at Valparaiso... passed out a season high six assists with no turnovers in home win over Calumet College of Saint Joseph (Ind.)... had 18 steals and 5 blocks for the year...
KANSAS CITY
Played one season (2023-24) at Kansas City... appeared in nine games missing the second half of the season... averaged 1.0 points and 1.1 rebounds per game... pulled down a career high four rebounds against St. Mary... scored season high four points in college debut against Avila...
HIGH SCHOOL: Was a consensus three-star recruit across all major recruiting services... scored more than 2,200 points in high school career ranking in state of Michigan Top 15 career scorers ahead of notable names like Magic Johnson... averaged 29.3 points per game during three year varsity career shooting 52.1 percent from the floor... nominee for Michigan Mr. Basketball and a Gatorade Player of the Year nominee... led team to district and regional championship qualifying for state semifinals... named 2022-23 AP 3A Michigan Player of the Year... was a multiple time All-State selection by multiple organizations including Basketball Coaches of Michigan, MLive, Detroit AP, and others... three time first team All-Conference (MMAC)... rated top ranked recruit in Michigan by Prep Hoops, No. 149 nationally... Academic All-State...
NAZ FISHER
Naz Fisher would likely be running track if he weren’t on the basketball court. He is studying psychology because he wants to make a positive impact on people’s lives. His favorite food in Charleston is Kamikaze. If given a week off, his dream vacation would be Miami. Home for Fisher is Washington, D.C., a place where he believes anything is possible if you put your mind to it. He says, “I’m really passionate about everything I do.”
POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
Played two seasons at Point Park University in Pittsburgh (2023-25) appearing in 62 games with 25 starts...
2024-25 (SENIOR): Helped program transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II ranks during the 2024-25 season... played in 30 games making 25 starts... averaged a double-double for the season with 11.3 points and 11 rebounds per game while shooting 59.8 percent from the floor... posted 14 double-doubles... had a season high 35 points against Salem (W.Va.)... pulled down a season high 25 rebounds against Wheeling... added 40 blocks... helped team advance to Mountain East Conference Tournament in first year in league...
2023-24 (JUNIOR): Played in 32 games, all off the bench, as team played its final season as an NAIA member... shot 63 percent from the floor averaging 6.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game... helped team win 31 games... posted 12 double figure rebounding games including seven double figure efforts in last eight games of the season... pulled down a season high 19 rebounds against Indiana East... finished year with five double-doubles... had 11 double figure scoring games with a season high 16 points against Fisher (Mass.)...
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE
Played two seasons at NCAA Division III St. Mary’s College in Maryland appearing in 47 games with 13 starts...
2022-23 (SOPHOMORE): Played in 25 games making ten starts during the season... averaged 3.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game shooting 51.9 percent from the floor... added 30 blocks with at least one block in last ten games of season... ended year with three double figure scoring and two double figure rebounding games... had a double-double (13 pts / 12 reb) against Gallaudet...
2021-22 (FRESHMAN): Played in 22 games with three starts during the season... made collegiate debut with first college start against Catholic University on November 14 scoring five points in the game... had one double figure scoring game for the season with 11 points against Penn State Berks... had one double figure rebounding game pulling down 14 against Penn College... averaged 3.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game with 20 blocks...
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Washington Latin Public Charter as a prep athlete... lettered in basketball, wrestling and soccer...
DREW AUSTIN
Drew Austin would likely be playing football if he weren’t on the basketball court. He is studying engineering technology because he enjoys math and science. His favorite food spot in Charleston is Qdoba in the food court. If given a week off, he’d spend it at home. Home for Austin is Rock Rapids, Iowa, made special by his family. He says, “I’m excited to be here and represent the university.”
JUNIOR COLLEGE: Member of Des Moines Area CC program over the last two seasons... earned second team All-Region honors as a redshirt freshman (2024-25) on a team that posted a 29-5 record and advanced to the NJCAA National Tournament... averaged 11.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game with 22 double figure scoring games... connected for 39.2 percent from 3-point range including knocking down 8-of12 from behind the arc in the Region II semifinals when scoring 30 points... redshirted freshman season at DMACC in 2023-24.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played high school basketball at Central Lyon High School... in addition to success in basketball, earned high school letters in football, baseball and track... helped lead Central Lyon to the 2023 Iowa Class 2A State Championship with the team posting a 24-1 record as a senior... was a team captain and earned All-Tournament honors..
SHANE SIMS
Shane Sims would likely be playing football if he weren’t on the basketball court. He is studying pre-medicine because he hopes to attend medical school and become a doctor. His go-to food spot in Charleston is Qdoba. If given a week off, his dream destination would be Northern Italy. Home for Sims is Evansville, Indiana, where he has lived his whole life and where his family resides. He shares, “After graduating medical school, I plan to become an anesthesiologist.”
HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Harrison High School... averaged in double figures all four years of high school finishing prep career averaging 15.8 points and 3.8 assists per game... averaged 19.3 points and 4.2 assists per game as a senior leading team to a 17-8 record while advancing to 4A Regional after winning Sectional championship... scored 1,513 career points knocking down 205 3-pointers during prep career... earned All-State, All-Region and All-Area honors... played AAU for the Indy Heat Red...
TERRY MCMORRIS
Terry McMorris would likely be playing football if he weren’t on the basketball court. He is majoring in sports management because he wants to be a sports agent after his basketball career is over. His favorite food spot in Charleston is Kamikaze. If he had a week off, he would love to visit Dubai. Home for McMorris is Oklahoma, where he enjoys riding horses for fun. He wants Panther fans and donors to know, “I am dedicated to putting in the work to achieve goals, to my team, to a great season, and to making everyone proud.”
2024-25 (FRESHMAN): Played in 20 games during the 2024-25 season as the only true freshman on the EIU roster... scored first collegiate points at the free throw line at No. 17 Indiana... first collegiate field goal came on the road going 2-for-2 at Valparaiso with four points... averaged 1.7 points and 1.5 rebounds per game for the season... shot 63.2 percent from the field... season high five points during road win at Morehead State pulling down four rebounds... had a season high five rebounds at SIUE while scoring four points... matched season high five points in home win over Southeast Missouri... had ten steals, one block and five assists for the season..
PREP SCHOOL: Played 2023-24 season at Link Year Prep in Branson, Missouri, helping lead the team to a Top 10 ranking and appearance in the final four of the Basketball Nationals...
HIGH SCHOOL: Played at OKC Douglass High School leading team to the Class 4A State Championship as a senior with a 26-1 record... averaged 24 points and 15 rebounds per game during the season with 15.3 points and 11 rebounds per game during the state tournament... named a first-team All-State selection as well as an Oklahoma All-Star and Oklahoma Super Five first team selection...
KOOPER JACOBI
Kooper Jacobi would likely be playing tennis if he weren’t on the basketball court, as he played it in high school. He is majoring in sports administration because he hopes to go into sports analytics. His favorite food spots in Charleston are Chick-fil-A and Qdoba. If given a week off, he’d head to the Bahamas. Home for Jacobi is Sellersburg, Indiana, where his family lives. He says, “I’m going to work as hard as I can on and off the court for Jesus, my teammates, coaches, fans, donors, and family.”
2024-25 (GRADUATE STUDENT): Graduated in May 2024 and enrolled as a graduate student in Sports Administration program... played and started all 31 games for the season, only EIU player to start all 31 contests... averaged 11.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game for the season... led the Ohio Valley Conference in rebounding with total ranking 37th in the NCAA for the year... led OVC in double-doubles with nine with total ranking 52nd in the NCAA for the season... pulled down 277 rebounds for the year which landed tied for ninth on the EIU single season record book... had 13 double figure rebounding games with a season high of 16 in home win over Northern Illinois, adding 19 points in that performance... scored in double figures in 21 games with a season high of 22 against Big East members DePaul and Butler... had a stretch from mid-November until early January of ten straight double figure scoring games... named OVC Player of the Week on Feb. 3 after averaging a double-double in three wins over Little Rock, Western Illinois and Lindenwood (all on the road)... knocked down a season high five 3-pointers (5-of-7) at Butler... shot 43.1 percent from the field and 70.1 percent from the free throw line... added 34 steals, 59 assists and 14 blocks to season totals... OVC Academic Medal of Honor...
2023-24 (RS-SOPHOMORE): Played and started the first 17 games of the season before missing remainder of the year (15 games) with season ending injury... ranked in top five in OVC in rebounding at 7.7 rebounds per game prior to injury... led team in offensive rebounds with 47 and 131 total rebounds was second on the team... averaged 10.5 points per game with eight double figure scoring games... had a season high 19 points in road win at UT Martin going 5-for-9 on 3-pointers... had a season high 15 rebounds against IUPUI as part of two double-doubles on the year (15 points)... other double-double was in season opener at nationally ranked Illinois with 10 points and 11 rebounds... added third double figure rebounding game with ten against Blackburn College... added 28 assists (1.6 apg), 12 steals and six blocks for season... had 16 point games against Monmouth (Ill.) and Eureka College...
TOLEDO
Forward that was a member of two straight Toledo teams that won the Mid-American Conference regular season titles and played in the NIT... 2022-23 (SOPHOMORE): Redshirted the 2022-23 season... 2021-22 (FRESHMAN): As a freshman in 2021-22 at Toledo played in all 34 games for the Rockets averaging 2.2 points and 2.5 rebounds per game on a team that won 26-games and lost in the opening round of the NIT... posted season highs of eight points against Detroit Mercy and seven rebounds against Marshall...
HIGH SCHOOL: From Sellersburg, Ind., and played at Silver Creek High School helping the team win Indiana Class 3A State Championships as a sophomore and senior... averaged 21.2 points and 11.4 rebounds per game as a senior earning Associated Press third-team All-State honors and a spot on the IBCA’s Supreme 15 All-State Team... shot 63 percent from the field and 42 percent from 3-point range... a dynamic scorer and rebounder, opened senior year with a 44-point, 18 rebound game and then ended prep career with 18 points and 18 rebounds in the state championship game... averaged 17.7 points per game as a junior and 13.9 points per game as a sophomore...