McNeese announces three additional men’s basketball signees

LAKE CHARLES – First-year McNeese basketball head coach Will Wade continues build arguably the greatest signing class in school history with the addition of three players on Monday – forward Antavion Collum and guards Nasir Mann and T’Johnn Brown.

Collum is a 6’8 transfer from Cal State Bakersfield, Mann a 6’4 transfer from Santa Fe College and Brown a 5’11 true freshman from Kimball High School in Dallas.

A native of Memphis, Collum averaged 13 points and 5.1 rebounds for the Roadrunners, starting 31 of 33 games. He connected on 44 percent from the field and 77 percent at the free throw line last season for Bakersfield, a member of the Big West Conference. He scored 20 or more points in eight games and had a career-high 31 on Feb. 2 against UC-Riverside. Prior to CSU Bakersfield, Collum played 30 games for Ole Miss.

“Antavion is someone we have followed for a long time since he was in high school back in Memphis,” said Wade. His nickname is ‘Dude’ and it’s well earned. He’s a hard-playing, skilled big man who will be able to do a lot of things of the offensive end for us. He’s a great fit for our program both offensively and defensively and fits the mold of the versatile big men that we have had a lot of success with. We’re expecting him to step in and make an immediate impact.”

Mann averaged 14.4 points and 6.5 rebounds last season at Santa Fe College which is located in Alachua County, Florida. The Gainesville native started in 25 of 27 games played last season and recorded double-figures in eight games played with a high of 18 points against Central Pointe Prep. He tied for second on the team with 53 three-pointers made and topped the squad by hitting 40.5 percent from long range.

“Nas is one of the better shooters in the country,” said Wade of Mann. “He’s proven that at both the high school and junior college levels and is prepared to come in and make those shots at the Division I level. He’s a very smart and diligent player who is a tremendous athlete. He’s a very good offensive rebounder as well. We’re excited to continue his progression here at McNeese for the next two seasons.”

Brown joins the Cowboys from Kimball High School where he’s been named a three-star recruit after average 18.3 points per game as a senior. The team captain for his squad, Brown scored over 2,000 points in his high school career.

“T’Johnn comes from one of the best high school programs in Texas,” said Wade. “He has been well coached by Coach Smith and is the ultimate winner. He helped lead his team to the state title this past season as the starting point guard. He’s one of the best players in the country in handling the ball against the press and is able to get in the paint at will, making great decisions at passing or scoring the ball. He’s an honor roll student who will be able to help us early on.”

The three signees bring the total number of Wade’s first class to nine joining F CJ Felder (Florida), G Javohn Garcia (College of Sequoias), G Zach Harvey (UCSB), G DJ Richards (UTSA), G Mike Saunders (Utah), and G Shahada Wells (TCU).