LAKELAND, Fla. – Eighth-year head coach
Mike Donnelly announces the 2022-23 incoming recruiting class for Florida Southern Men's Basketball. The Moccasins welcome in three transfers and three freshmen to join the squad on campus in August where the class is made up of four guards and two forwards.
Tray Alexander (Freeport, N.Y.) – Redshirt Sophomore - Guard - 5'10 - 175
Transfer from D2 Saint Rose College (NY). Was a two-year starter and two-year team captain where he averaged 13.3 points per game (ppg), 5.8 assists per game (apg), 3.7 rebounds per game (rbg), and 2.2 steals per game in 2021-2022. Connected on 44 3FG's and shot 82.9% from the FT line. 12
th in the nation in assists per game. Averaged 9.1ppg and 7.6apg in 2020-2021. Has three years of eligibility remaining.
"Tray is a tough, smart, and talented point guard who possesses great leadership qualities both on and off the court. Tray started every game in his two-year career at Saint Rose and averaged 38.0 minutes a game, so he adds legitimate experience at the guard position for us. Tray is a winner who really sees the floor well and knows how to facilitate for others. He will have an immediate impact for us".
Connor Raines (Beacon Falls, Conn.) – Redshirt Junior - Guard - 6'5 - 190
Transfer from Blinn College (TX). Raines averaged 10.0ppg, 4.0rbg, and 2.0apg and started 26 games this past season. Connected on 38 3FG's and shot 38% from 3FG. Shot 79.6% from the FT line. Spent his first two years at D1 University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Played in 44 games and started eight times at UTRVG and averaged 4.0ppg. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
"Connor is an experienced and smart player who knows how to play and competes hard at both ends of the floor. His length on the perimeter will provide versatility for us defensively, and his offensive game fits well in our system and style of play. Connor is a good 3-point shooter and is effective on the open floor. He cuts well and does a really good job attacking the rim and getting to the free throw line."
Noah Louis (Miami, Fla.) – Graduate – Forward - 6'8 - 210
Transfer from D2 Georgia Southwestern. Averaged 8.4ppg, 5.2rbg and 1.0blk and shot 60.8% from the field as a junior during the 2020-2021 season. Saw limited action this past season due to injury and received a medical redshirt. Louis has two years of eligibility remaining.
"We are very excited to add Noah to our program. He is a long and athletic forward who plays hard and will provide a physical presence at both ends of the floor. Noah's experience and size will be a great addition to our front court. Noah plays with a high motor and really moves and runs well for his size. He is a high character guy who will immediately have a positive impact both on and off the floor for us."
Alex Steen (Panama City, Fla.) – Freshman – Forward - 6'7 - 200
Team captain at Arnold High School. He averaged 23.0ppg, 13.0rbg, and 2.0 blocks a game this past season. Steen was named First Team All-County and Third Team Florida All-State. He scored over 1,000 career points. Honor Roll student.
"Alex is a great addition to our program. He is a talented and very athletic player who plays hard and plays with great energy at both ends of the floor. Alex has a great motor and can really run the floor and finishes well above the rim. He is a skilled combo forward who has a very high ceiling, and we expect him to improve his game at the college level."
Riley Buccino (Centerton, Ark.) – Freshman – Guard - 6'3 - 180
Senior captain and four-year starter at Bentonville West High School. Scored over 1,000 career points and is the school's all-time leading scorer. Buccino averaged 18.6ppg and shot 48.0% from the floor this past season. Named First Team All-State. Honor Roll student.
"Riley is a really good player who competes hard at both ends of the floor. He is talented, athletic and a smart player who makes others around him better. He is a creative scorer who can also shoot the ball with range. Riley plays with a lot of confidence and has a high IQ out on the floor. He is a very good fit in our system and style of play."
Donovan Smith (St. Paul, Minn.) – Freshman – Guard - 5'10 - 165
Averaged 14.1ppg, 3.1rbg and 4.6apg this past season at Spire Academy. Connected on 51 3FG and shot 40.4% from 3FG. Played his first three years of high school ball at Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis, Minn.
"Not only is Donovan a natural and gifted shooter, he's also a very good player who plays with a lot of confidence and toughness. He has great range on his shot, and a very quick release which enables him to get his shot off against athletic and long defenders. Donovan has played at a high level both in high school and on the AAU circuit, so he is battle tested against high level competition."
Florida Southern College men's basketball gets the 2022-23 campaign underway on November 5 at home against Flagler with a 5:45 p.m. tip. The Moccasins welcome in the Small College Basketball National Hall of Fame Classic to Jenkins Field House which will feature 10 teams for 10 games across the two-days, Nov. 5 and 6. The Mocs face West Texas A&M in game two of their tournament on Sunday at 5:45 p.m.
The SCB National Hall of Fame Classic Tournament Page can be located HERE.
