MBB 2016-17 Preseason Preview: Forwards
11/9/2016 11:07:00 AM | Men's Basketball
This is the second of a two-part series, highlighting the Sam Houston State 2016 men's basketball team. The Bearkats return their top-seven scorers from last season, including their five starters.
Sam Houston was selected as the preseason favorite in the Southland in both the SID and Coaches' polls and will open their season Nov. 12 at home against LeTourneau.
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Returners: Jesse Lopez, Jr., Aurimas Majauskas, Torry Butler
Newcomers: Demetrius Levarity, Phillip Jones, Jr., Christopher Galbreath Jr., Justin Van Pelt
HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Sam Houston State may not have the array of forwards returning the way the Bearkats do their guards, but the Kats still head into the 2016 campaign with tenacious weapons at the forward position.
The Bearkats return three forwards to their 2016 squad, including preseason all-Southland Conference choice Aurimas Majauskas.
“Versatility is what I see in my forwards,” head coach Jason Hooten said. “Guys that can post up and guys that can shoot the three. When you can do both of those things from your forward spot, I think it makes you hard to guard as a team. It doesn't matter what you run – whether it's a ball-screen offense or a post-up offense – it's going to be hard for other teams to guard those players.”
Last season, Majauskas tied for the team-lead in points per game with a 14.2 points average alongside senior guard Dakarai Henderson. The forward from Lithuania was named to the Southland Conference second team after starting all 34 games for the Bearkats and finishing the season seventh in the league in field goal accuracy (.550). Hooten said he expects to see a big year from Majauskas.
“He's changed his body which has helped him become a better athlete and help him stay healthier,” Hooten said. It's also going to allow him to have better cardiovascular fitness and play longer, which is what we needed him to do. The thing he has gotten better at this year is his three-point shot and shooting it off the bounce. Those two things are going to make him hard to guard.”
Butler enters his second season in the orange and white. As a junior transfer last year, he appeared in all 34 games and led the team in rebounds with 200, averaging 5.9 per game. He started 17 of the team's opening 18 games before transitioning into a reserve role during conference play.
“I've constantly challenged Torry to be the best he can be,” Hooten said. “With the addition of Galbreath, Torry has really stepped up his game. The thing Torry has done is put on about 20 pounds in the weight room. And now he's a lot more explosive athletically and a lot more of a threat with his back to the basket.”
Lopez heads into his junior year of play looking to continue to fill a similar role alike to his previous two seasons. Last season, Lopez made 21 appearance and shot 50 percent from the floor.
“Jesse is just a solid guy that is dependable,” Hooten said. “He's continued to get better. He's a role guy and accepts his role. We expect Jesee to have another year where he'll be there and be dependable. He has a real good feel of who he is and what he does best for the team.”
Hooten welcomes four new forwards to his program: Demetrius Levarity, Phillip Jones, Jr., Christopher Galbreath, Jr. and Justin Van Pelt.
Levarity played last season at Southeastern Illinois before spending time at Morehead State over the summer. Hewill redshirt this year due to transferring from another Division I school.
Galbreath joins the program after averaging 14.6 points and 9.6 rebounds per game last season for Southwestern Illinois. Hooten said Galbreath would be one of the Bearkats better players.
“Chris is doing a fantastic job and fighting really hard for a starting position,” Hooten said. “He's probably even better than I thought when I first recruited him. He has an abundance of talent and a motor that never stops running. He can really rebound the ball.”
Jones is a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility remaining. He played three seasons at the UTSA, appearing in 62 games.
“He's really starting to take things in like a sponge,” Hooten said. “What he'll bring to our team is length, athleticism and ability to score. And a really good ability to rebound above the rim and that's something we thought we needed the most.”
Van Pelt is the lone freshman on the squad. The 6-foot-11-inch forward from Cypress is expected to redshirt this season.
