Lions add three to 2020-21 squad

HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana men’s basketball team added three to the 2020 signing class including Jamon Kemp, Gus Okafor and Keon Clergeot, second-year SLU head basketball coach David Kiefer announced Friday.

Kemp comes to the Lions by way of Seattle, Washington. The Woodstock Academy grad has an impressive basketball background. Kemp is the son of 14-year NBA veteran and six-time NBA all-star Shawn Kemp.

The elder Kemp helped lead the Seattle Supersonics to the 1996 NBA Finals against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. The NBA legend averaged 19.6 points and 11.4 rebounds a game during the 1995-96 season while shining on the big stage averaging 23 points and 10 rebounds in the 1996 Finals.

The younger Kemp (6-6, 200) is a high-octane offensive player that can play multiple positions and is an energetic defender. Kemp is a three-star recruit according to ESPN.com and is ranked in the top 200 in the country by 247sports.com

“Jamon is a great fit for our style of play,” said Kiefer. “His length, athleticism, and competitiveness translate right away. He will be an important piece to our pressing style.”

Okafor (6-6, 220), a junior, played last season at Miami Dade College in Florida. The Baltimore, Maryland native played in 29 games with 21 starts. The forward averaged 12.8 points and snatched 8.0 rebounds per game helping MDC to an 18-11 record. The Eleanor Roosevelt graduate is a versatile post player that the Lions are confident can score from multiple spots on the floor.

“Gus was one the first players that we identified for how we play,” said Kiefer. “He is a very good basketball player. He is big, strong and plays extremely hard. Gus has the ability to play inside and out with his unique skill set, and is a great passer.”

Clergeot (6-1, 185) is a graduate transferring from UMass. The guard played in 30 of 31 games last year for the Minutemen with 16 starts. The Inwood, Florida product had 23 steals and 46 assists for UMass while averaging 5.2 points per game last season. As a sophomore, he averaged 7.5 points while playing 22.3 minutes per game. Clergeot (clear-jo) will provide the Lions with some leadership and experience with the ability to create offensively and defend the perimeter.

“Keon is a huge piece for us,” said Kiefer. “He adds leadership, toughness, scoring and point guard ability. He has played high level basketball the past three years, and brings a wealth of experience to our team.”

HARDWOOD CLUB/S CLUB
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