Basketball

BREAKING: Massive News As Head Coach Brooks Savage And His Staff Announced Additions To The ETSU Roster

Nero Scofield

The 2024-25 ETSU men’s basketball roster has been completed.

On Monday, the head coach of ETSU men’s basketball, Brooks Savage, and his staff announced new additions to the team’s roster. The five new players, Davion Bradford, John Buggs III, Brandon Crawford, Curt Lewis, and Roosevelt Wheeler, have joined the Buccaneers. These additions strengthen an already deep and talented roster that made it to the Southern Conference Championship last season. Despite losing three players to the transfer portal during the off-season, which accounted for only 8% of the team’s scoring and 9% of its minutes played— the lowest among SoCon teams—ETSU remains optimistic. Coach Savage expressed satisfaction with the program’s progress heading into the upcoming year, emphasizing the focus on adding size, interior play, shot-making, and play-making abilities. The new players possess experience, size, athleticism, and are a good fit for the team’s established culture. The coaching staff is excited about the upcoming season and believes that the new additions will integrate well with the returning players. The team’s internal culture, relationships, and chemistry are strong, and the players are determined to pursue a championship next season, fueled by the momentum gained from their previous season’s performance. Here’s a breakdown of the five new players:

  • Davion Bradford
  • John Buggs III
  • Brandon Crawford
  • Curt Lewis
  • Roosevelt Wheeler

Davion Bradford – 7’0″ – Senior – Kansas State/Wake Forest

He competed for two seasons at Kansas State (2020-22) and then played for Wake Forest in the 2022-23 season. Across his 84-game career, which included 42 starts, he amassed 384 points, 234 rebounds, and 38 blocked shots. At Wake Forest, he participated in 26 games and made five starts, boasting an impressive 76% shooting accuracy from the field.

During the 2020-21 season, he ranked fifth in the Big 12 for two-point field goal percentage (.621), which stood as the second-highest in school history and the highest by a freshman. In that same season, he was one of only three players to appear in all 29 games, earning 25 starts, the second-highest on the team. Over the course of his career, he achieved 11 games with double-figure scoring, including two 18-point performances.

Additionally, he secured 14 points and nine rebounds against TCU on Jan. 2, 2021, and 14 points and seven boards at Texas on Jan. 16, 2021. He also recorded 17 games with five or more rebounds, reaching a career-high of 10 rebounds against Omaha on Dec. 29, 2020. Moreover, he achieved over 60% shooting from the field in 40 games, including a perfect field goal rate in 20 contests. Notably, in a victory over Georgia on Nov. 11, 2022, he completed a flawless 5-of-5 shooting, ending the game with 11 points, four rebounds, and two blocks.

Regarded as a top prospect out of high school, Bradford was a consensus Top 150 prospect and was ranked No. 137 by Rivals.com. He was also rated as one of the top 25 centers in the country, being ranked No. 19 by Rivals.com and No. 22 by 247Sports.com. Additionally, he was ranked as the No. 5 prospect in the state of Missouri by 247Sports.com. Bradford attended Mehlville High School for two seasons (2018-20) and Christian Brothers for two seasons (2016-18), accumulating over 1,000 points in his prep career, including 924 points in his final two seasons.

Bradford on signing with ETSU…

“I chose East Tennessee State University because I believe it will help me achieve my academic and athletic goals. I’m looking forward to being in Johnson City, engaging with the community, and playing in front of passionate fans. I can’t wait to make the most of my time at ETSU!”

Roosevelt Wheeler – 6’11” – Senior – VCU/Louisville

Played for Louisville during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons before transferring to VCU for the 2023-24 season. Appeared in 46 games for Louisville and participated in 15 games for VCU this past season. Notably, made an impact by scoring eight points on 4-of-4 shooting with three rebounds against Western Kentucky on Dec. 18, 2021, and contributing five points and four rebounds against Maryland on Nov. 29, 2022.

Standing at 6-foot-11, the post player was highly ranked, placing at No. 43 nationally via Rivals.com, No. 60 in the class of 2021 by 247Sports’ composite rankings, and No. 82 in the ESPN 100. At John Marshall High School, achieved impressive averages of 15.8 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 4.3 blocked shots during the 2019-20 season, leading the team to two Virginia 2A state titles.

Wheeler on signing with ETSU…

I picked ETSU because I believe it offers a fantastic program. I am confident that I will receive the support necessary to succeed both in my athletic endeavors and academically, and I anticipate the opportunity to compete for a championship next year. The coaching staff’s enthusiasm for the game and the strong sense of camaraderie create a genuine family atmosphere. I’m thrilled to contribute to ETSU in my upcoming final year.

Coach Savage on Bradford and Wheeler…

Rose and DB bring valuable size and seasoned capabilities to our front line. They possess the ability to score effectively in the vicinity of the basket and with their backs to the basket. They are reliable targets for inside plays and can adeptly participate in and defend against pick and roll situations. Additionally, they excel in individual defense and rebounding in their respective areas, while also offering rim protection. Their synergy is such that they will undoubtedly share the court at times due to their complementary skills.

Curt Lewis – 6’5″ – Graduate – Missouri/John A. Logan/Eastern Kentucky

Lewis had a notable basketball career, starting at Eastern Kentucky before moving on to play at John A. Logan, and then at Missouri. During his time at Missouri, he started in games against Texas A&M and Mississippi State, showing his skills with notable performances. In his past seasons, Lewis demonstrated his ability to score consistently, achieving double figures in 33 games and recording four double-doubles during his time at Eastern Kentucky.

His talent was evident at John A. Logan as well, where he put up impressive numbers and played a key role in their National Championship win. Before his collegiate career, he made a mark in high school, being recognized as a Mr. Basketball finalist and earning accolades for his exceptional performance at Valley High School in Louisville.

Lewis on signing with ETSU…

ETSU’s coaching staff shares a similar background with me, having also come from the JUCO route. I’m enthusiastic about the opportunity to restore a culture of winning to this town and bring it back to its rightful place.

John Buggs III – 6’3″ – Graduate – North Texas

Participated in 65 games during my college career, with 56 of those as a starter at the NCAA Division I level. I was at UMass for the 2019-20 season, UTSA in 2022-23, and North Texas in 2023-24. Prior to that, I played at Hill College during the 2021-22 season, where I received NJCAA DI Honorable Mention after averaging 15.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. I had a notable three-point shooting performance, achieving a 47.3% success rate, ranking 12th in the nation. Throughout my time at UMass, UTSA, and North Texas, I accumulated 562 points and made 140 three-pointers.

In my last two seasons, I maintained a 42% three-point shooting average and have an overall career free-throw percentage of 84%. Notably, I made four or more three-pointers in 18 games in the past two seasons and succeeded in making multiple threes in 40 out of the 61 games played since the beginning of the 2022-23 season. I excelled as the top three-point shooter in the American Athletic Conference, achieving a 45.1% success rate, which was nearly five percent better than the second-place finisher. Additionally, my 45.1% three-point field goal percentage stands as the fourth-best single-season mark in North Texas history.

I totaled nine games with four or more three-pointers and averaged 11.0 points while netting 80 triples in 32 games, starting 30 at UTSA. The 80 made threes placed me fourth in Conference USA, and I maintained a 40% field goal percentage from long distance, marking the second-highest rate in the conference. Notable performances include scoring 23 points at Rice on Feb. 6, 2023, and making six threes on eight attempts at Louisiana Tech on Dec. 29, 2022. I also shot 80% at the free-throw line (36-45) while at UTSA.

Unfortunately, my time at UMass was cut short by a season-ending injury after participating in four games. Before college, I played at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut in 2018-19 and spent the remaining three seasons at Summerfield High School, where I led the team to three state titles and averaged 23.2 points per game during my senior season.

Buggs on signing with ETSU…

I decided to join ETSU because of the strong connections I’ve built with the coaching staff. Coach Berg (Arkenberg) has been familiar with me since my high school days and is highly regarded within my personal network. Coach Savage also invested genuine effort in understanding me and my family, ultimately persuading me that he was the right choice for my final year of play. Their unwavering support throughout the recruitment process and thorough assessment of my abilities gave me a sense of assurance and trust in ETSU. I am enthusiastic about the staff’s vision for the program, and I believe it will lead to a great deal of success on the court.

Coach Savage on Lewis and Buggs…

CLew and Buggs bring additional depth to our guard lineup, showcasing their versatility in creating opportunities and scoring from all areas of the court. They both excel in defense, exhibiting toughness along with strong passing and shooting skills in the backcourt. Curt has a solid track record in college basketball, consistently making 50+ three-pointers at both Eastern Kentucky and John A. Logan.

He’s a robust, sizable guard capable of leading offensive drives and attacking the basket. John Buggs is a top-tier shooter, consistently demonstrating his prowess on the court and leading the AAC in three-point percentage. Our team’s style of play will allow him to further display his ballhandling and playmaking abilities. Both players are poised to integrate seamlessly with the returning perimeter players.

Brandon Crawford – 6’9″ – Freshman – Irmo High School/Overtime Elite League

Captained Irmo High School to a state championship victory in 2023 Achieved the title of Class 4A Player of the Year in 2023 Maintained an average of 15.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.2 blocks per game in the 2022-23 season Accumulated a total of 124 blocked shots during the 2022-23 season Attended Overtime Elite in Atlanta for the 2023-24 season Participated in 13 games for Overtime Elite before sustaining a season-ending injury Maintained an average of 11.1 minutes per game, contributing 2.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per contest Ranked ninth in the league for averaging 1.3 blocks per game.

Crawford discussed his decision to join ETSU, stating, “I selected ETSU for its esteemed basketball program and the chance to contribute to a winning legacy. What I appreciate about ETSU is the encouraging community, excellent facilities, and the opportunity for both athletic and academic growth. I am eager to leave my mark at ETSU!”

Coach Savage spoke about Crawford, saying, “Brandon has immense potential. He excels as an athletic player, particularly in finishing and shot blocking. He is one of the best shot blockers I have ever seen from high school. It’s likely he will redshirt this season following a knee injury in February, but spending a year around older players, practicing, training, and gaining strength will greatly benefit his overall progression. We are very optimistic about his future!”

Upon receiving the Player of the Year award, Irmo head coach Tim Whipple praised Crawford, stating, “I have never coached a player who has made a bigger impact on the defensive end of the court than Brandon. He truly disrupts the offensive strategies of our opponents. He has been the linchpin of our success this year and is highly deserving of the 4A Player of the Year title.”

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