USI Men’s Basketball Announces Signing of Four New Players

The University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team announced the signing of four new players for the upcoming 2015-16 season.

The four new Screaming Eagles are six-foot-four junior guard Jeril Taylor (Louisville, Kentucky); six-foot-seven sophomore forward Emmanuel Audu (Nigeria); six-foot-11 junior center Macam Macam (Lynn, Massachusetts); and seven-foot-one sophomore center Davis Carter (Denver, Colorado).

Taylor (first name pronounced Jer-L) comes to USI after a two-year stretch at Rend Lake College (2012-14) where he combined with fellow Eagle Cortez Macklin to win the 2013 NJCAA Division II National Championship and was named All-Tournament after averaging 15. 6 points per tournament contest. He averaged 16.2 points and 9.1 rebounds per game during the sophomore season in 2013-14, while posting a season-high 32 points against Kaskaskia College.

The Louisville, Kentucky, native began his junior college career by averaging 8.8 points and 4.0 rebounds as a freshman in 2012-13.

"Jeril was a Kentucky All-Star at Pleasure Ridge Park High School (Louisville, Kentucky)," said USI Head Coach Rodney Watson. "He is a big guard who will give us additional perimeter shooting, defensive length, and another excellent ball handler."

Audu(pronounced Ah-Do) transfers to USI after playing for Carl Albert State College one season. He scored a season-high 24 points versus Bacone College, and grabbing 5.1 rebounds per game for the Vikings.

"Emmanuel will be a sophomore at USI and has three seasons to develop," said Watson. "(USI) believes that with his strength and skill, he can be a versatile presence in the lane. Emmanuel is a good rebounder and shot blocker on the defensive end, while possessing the ability to score in several ways on the offensive end.

"He also gives us much needed depth on the inside," concluded Watson.

Macam (pronounced Ma-chum for both first and last name) joins the Eagles' roster after a season at Brown Mackie College (2014-15) and Massachusetts Bay Community College (2013-14). The junior center posted a two-year collegiate best 14.5 points and grabbed 10.0 rebounds per contest during his sophomore season at Brown Mackie. He also recorded 14.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per contest during his initial collegiate season at MassBay C.C.

"Macam and his family immigrated to the United States from the Sudan when he was a toddler, becoming a citizen and living in the Boston area for most of his life," commented Watson. "He is extremely long, athletic, and skilled on the basketball court. Macam can stretch a defense with his ability to shoot and driver."

"It is tempting to ask a young man with such size and mobility to do too many things," continued Watson. "In reality, USI will focus him on scoring at the basket along with a mid-range jump shot, being a defensive presence in the lane and a tenacious rebounder and shot blocker."

Carter, who becomes the tallest Eagle on the roster and the third player in the history of the program to be listed over seven-foot tall, comes to USI after averaging 2.5 points and 3.0 rebounds as a freshman at Western Nebraska Community College in 2014-15. The incoming sophomore center was a Colorado 3A honorable mention All-State performer at Denver Science and Technology after averaging 11.5 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 5.7 blocks per game in 2012-13.

"Davis' size is unique," said Watson. "As an incoming sophomore, he will have an opportunity to gain strength and power that will give him an even greater advantage that matches his height and length.

"Davis left home after high school to attend Bridgton Academy (North Bridgton, Maine) to give himself an extra year to begin the maturation process to become a college basketball player and to pursue a degree in business finance," said Watson.

The four new signees join six-foot-five wing Jacob Norman (Evansville, Indiana) and six-foot-three guard Alex Stein (Evansville, Indiana) in signing with USI for the 2015-16 campaign. "With the addition of Alex, Jacob, Emmanuel, Davis, Jeril, and Macam, we have given our basketball program much needed balance in classes and increased our depth with size," stated Watson about his 2015 class.

"All six are multiple position players (play more than one position on offense and will be able to defend more than one type of player on defense)," continued Watson. "In addition to the dedication shown by our returning players this summer, along with these six newcomers, we are excited about the upcoming season."