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Oct. 14, 2009

When the West Texas A&M men’s basketball team commences practice on Thursday, Oct. 15, you’ll have to forgive head basketball coach Rick Cooper if he has to check a roster card from time to time during the early stages of the 2009-10 basketball season.

With 12 new recruits joining a trio of returnees from a year ago, this year’s Buffalo basketball team will definitely have a new look when they begin practice Thursday afternoon at 3:30 in the WT Fieldhouse (The Box).

“We are excited about this year’s team,” said Coach Cooper. “We have some very solid returnees and we are excited about the new players joining our program. We feel that the student-athletes we have signed will help us in many areas.”

Returning from a year ago are a pair of guards Nick Burns and Tory Fernandez, as well as forward Bijan Dotson. Mason White, a freshman guard who redshirted last season, is back in the fold, as is guard Chris Tucker, who played for the Buffs during the 2006-07 season.

Guard Nick Burns has proven his long distance shooting abilities (hitting a team-high 59 three-pointers last season), as well as his durability (averaging more than 29 minutes over 27 contests a year ago). An LSC South honorable mention honoree, he averaged 11.2 points per contest over the full season and saw his output jump to 13.2 ppg. in LSC play. Burns was the Buffaloes’ leading scorer in five of their six LSC South victories.

Forward Bijan Dotson has developed into the Buffs most talented big man. In addition to being the team’s rebounding leader (5.3 rpg.) and third leading scorer (8.9 ppg.), he also averaged 12.3 ppg. over the final nine games of the season (including five double-figure scoring outings).

Returning forward Bijan Dotson led all Buff rebounders last season.

Guard Tory Fernandez played in a reserve role a year ago and will be looking to increase both his playing time and productivity in 2009-10, while guard Chris Tucker played for the Buffs three seasons ago. His return to the roster gives WT a quality, experienced guard.

Forward Mason White sat out the 2008-09 campaign while rehabbing a shoulder injury. His return should provide WT with experienced play at the small forward position.

The incoming class is comprised of nine guards, including Jordan Ashmore, Alonzo Earle, LaDarius Hall, Tyler Hull, Joe Mincey, Devaun Stewart, Justin Tubb, Kolten Wilder and as well as four forwards, including Kendall Cogburn, Alex Davis, Jacquiese Holcombe and Donnie Kidd.

Taking a look at the newcomers, forward Kendall Cogburn transfers from Wayland Baptist, where he saw action in 29 contests and made five starting appearances. He averaged 1.9 points, 1.0 rebounds and 0.3 assists per outing while shooting 40.0 percent from the field.

Forward Alex Davis transfers to WT from Tennessee Tech, where he averaged 6.0 points and 2.6 rebounds per contest during the 2008-09 season.

Guard Alonzo Earle looks to lend the Buffs quickness and ballhandling skills at the point guard position. While at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, Calif., Earle averaged 11.3 points, 5.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.3 rebounds per outing and twice tallied a season-high 25 points.

Guard LaDarius all will be looked upon to provide the Buffs’ with some scoring punch, having proven his scoring ability while at South Plains College, where he averaged 10 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in 2008-09.

Forward Jacquiese Holcombe transfers from Mississippi State. He possesses the talent to give the Buffs versatility under the boards.

Guard Tyler Hull transfers from the very successful Weatherford College program, where he averaged 12 points and 6 rebounds for coach Dave Donnelly’s Coyotes.

Forward Donnie Kidd is an athletic transfer who comes to WT by way of Feather River College. While playing for the Golden Eagle squad at Feather River, Kidd averaged 11 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists per outing. In doing so, he garnered first-team all-conference honors and helped the team advance to the GVC Championship game.

Guard Joe Mincey gives the Buffs another solid performer who can play in either the guard rotation or at a small forward slot. He comes from the College of Coastal Georgia, where he averaged 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists to earn team MVP honors.

Freshman guard Devaun Stewart earned first-team all-District 5-4A honors while averaging 11 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists at Mansfield (Texas) HS.

Justin Tubb is a physical forward who comes to WT from the very successful Midland College program, where he sat out the 2008-09 season as a redshirt.

While at Goodyear (Ariz.) Millennium HS, Kolten Wilder averaged 11 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists to earn second team all-Region honors.

The Buffs tip-off 2009-10 season on November 19, when they travel to Las Vegas, N.M. to face New Mexico Highlands. The Buffs’ home-opener will be Nov. 27, when they host UT-Permian Basin in first-round action in the Buff Thanksgiving Classic.