2009-2010 SEASON PREVIEW New Faces, New Coach Begin A New Era of NCCU Basketball First-Year Head Coach LeVelle Moton Ushers in NCCU's third Division I Squad The 2009-2010 version of North Carolina Central University's men's basketball team will see a lot of new faces, but a familiar one has taken over as the program moves into it's third season at the Division I level. LeVelle Moton was named Head Coach on March 25, 2009 and has immediately made his mark on the program. He is the program's third all-time leading scorer and is the only player in school history to be named CIAA Player of the Year. He led the Eagles to the “Elite Eight” during his playing career, one that garnered Hall of Fame recognition. Since being named to head coach, he has energized a basketball crazy fan base. One thing Moton has preached to the Eagle nation is patience, because he knows full well that the road to the top will see its challenges, especially during this transition to Division I, and being his first season at the helm. “I just take it as a blessing each day that I wake up. I embrace it, relish the opportunity. I look forward to the challenge ahead. It's pretty much been parallel and symbolic to my life as a whole,” stated Moton. “I'm looking at it as a unique challenge that's ahead, and I'm just trying to embark on some new things. It's been a learning experience thus far, nothing I didn't expect, and nothing I will complain about. Right now my main focus is branding this basketball program, getting it out in the community and try to gets some fans in the seats to support this program.” The youthful Eagles boast just one senior, Joshua Worthy (Lewisville, TX), the lone player left from when NCCU's Division II days and still competing in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Four juniors (Michael Glasker, Vincent Davis, Lamar Pittman, and Raphael McDonald), one sophomore (Nick Chasten), and one freshman (Dami Sapara) round out the returners for NCCU. Vincent Davis is the leading returning scorer after dropping in 11.2 points per contest in his first season, while Michael Glasker led the team with 80 assists and looks to do much of the same in his third season in maroon and gray. Those seven along with Moton's first recruiting class will join together in this third Division I edition of NCCU basketball. “I know it's sounds cliché, but to get better each day is our mantra coming into this season," said Moton. "We're not trying to make any bold projections, we're just trying to have a first class organization with a blue collar work ethic day-to-day in what we do.
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When you do that everything else takes care of itself, and if we do that, we'll be successful where we need to be on and off the floor.” Instant Recruiting Success Moments after being named head coach at NCCU, Moton was on the recruiting trail trying to get the pieces to a future championship puzzle. Six players made up Moton's first class starting with local products C.J. Wilkerson (Oxford, N.C.), Landon Clement (University of North Carolina at Greensboro transfer/Raleigh, N.C.), and Dijon Manns (Raleigh, N.C.) signed to attend NCCU and don the maroon and gray uniforms of the Eagles. T.J. Granger (Richmond, Va.) Dwayne Sims (Dayton, OH), and Ryan Fleming (Alpharetta, Ga) rounded out the final three signees in the recruiting class. Wilkerson, a 6-3 205 pound guard, played at J.F. Webb High School in Oxford, N.C. where he was named All-Conference in the Mid-State 3-A three times, along with Player of the Year honors his senior season. He was also Joshua Worthy is the lone senior on the 2009-10 named the “District Player of the squad, and will be looked upon for leadership. Year” by the Henderson Daily and we couldn’t be happier to have him Dispatch. Wilkerson led the Warriors to the playoffs three years in a row, here at NCCU.” and averaged 18.7 points per contest his The second student-athlete played senior year including 26.7 points per outing under Moton during his AAU coaching days in the playoffs. He spent the last two years and also at Sanderson High School for at both Clinton Junior College in Rock Hill, three years earning all-conference his last S.C. and Southeastern Iowa Community two seasons. Clement, a 6-2 180 pound College in West Burlington, Iowa. In his first shooting guard, left SHS second in allyear at SICC he started 29 of 31 games as a time scoring along with finishing his high freshman for the Blackhawks. After moving school career number one in career three closer to home to Clinton Junior College, he pointers made and free throw percentage. got the nod in all 33 games for the Golden Clement took his game to the University Bears and earned First Team All-Region of North Carolina at Greensboro, playing 10 honors after pouring in 14.0 points, 4.0 two seasons there under Head Coach Mike Dement. He contributed almost rebounds, and 2.0 assists per outing. "One of the most important signees at immediately playing in 27 of the 31 contests NCCU,” said Moton. “He is very versatile, his freshman season. can play and defend all three guard positions His sophomore campaign began strong on the floor. Super athletic and will make after getting the nod in the first three games. an immediate impact on the Division I level. Clement poured in 13 points in the season He was very impressive during the Greater opener at Charlotte, going three-for-six from Pro Am Summer League last year, holding three-point range, and exploding for a gamehis own against NBA, and ACC stars. C.J. is high 26 points against Webber International, a great kid from a strong family background hitting a season-high five treys in UNCG’s www.NCCUEaglePride.com