Starters:
Connor McKim (#2)
freshman
Guard
6 foot 170 lbs.
Louisville, Ky (St.Xavier High School.)
Led St.X to its 26th regional championship and seventh regional runner up. Was the Regional Player Of The Year last season. Was also First team all region and Third Team All-State. Scored over 1,000 career points at St.Xavier.
Rollins insider Juan Bernal had these thoughts on McKim:
"He is a shooter who can play the point as well. I have limited knowledge because I have never seen him play. He sounds like the most promising of the newcomers though."
Teammate Eric Castenada also had positive thoughts on McKim:
"McKim is a great point guard who can spread the floor and find the open man."
Mike Beduslkis agreed:
"Connor is a true freshman who is a really crafty point guard. He is a solid passer and shooter, who is really good in the open court. He will be relied on heavily. He will need to pick up the offense and defense quickly, as he will be one of our main guards this season."
Pete's take: McKim will be the Tars starting point guard this season. He is part of a very deep freshman class. Is a very underrated shooter. He and Bonner will play lots of significant minutes for this team.
Jakobi Bonner (#21)
freshman
Guard
6 foot 2 205 lbs.
Winter Springs,Fla. (Master's Academy.)
Started at Winter Springs High School before going to the Master's Academy his junior and senior seasons. Was Defensive Player Of The Year and First Team All District his sophomore season at Winter Springs High. His senior year he led the Master's Academy to their first ever district title. Was the 4-A District Player Of The Year and Orlando Sentinel Second Team All-Area. Was the first player in school history to eclipse 1,000 points in two seasons at Master's Academy. Left as the school's all time leading scorer. Was third team All-State and was the Male Athlete of The Year.
Bernal is impressed with how he hustles more than anything:
"Jakobi is an athletic guard who defends well and gets to the basket. A playmaker and a hustler. In two years he and Parker Davis will be two of the top three guards in the SSC."
Bernal said.
Pete's take: Bonner is a solid player and gives the Tars a guy who can get to the rim on the bounce. He is also one of the better defensive players on the team.
Sam Philpott (#31)
redshirt junior
Center/Forward
6 foot 7 200 lbs.
Noblesville,Indiana (Nobelsville High School.)
2015-2016: Had a breakout season playing in all 30 games. Averaged 21 minutes- and scored 13.1 points per night. Shot 63 percent from the field and 34 percent from the 3-point line on the year. Was 10th in the SSC in free throw shooting, shooting at a 79 percent clip. Scored in double figures 23 times, including the last 14 in a row to end the season. Scored a career high 21 points twice.
2014-15: Played in 19 games. Averaged 2.7 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. Shot 44 percent from the floor on the year. Recorded his first collegiate points on 11/14 against Clark-Atlanta. Had career high 10 points against Florida Memorial on 1/3.
2013-14: Redshirt
Bedulskis talked about how Philpott really work hard in the off-season:
" Sam has become faster and leaner this year, he is the vocal leader and captain of this team. He is a great shooter, with great touch around the rim. He is also a solid offensive rebounder who is very smart and crafty in the offense."
Pete's take: Another solid season is expected of the Tars workhorse. He is good enough to be All SSC First Team.
Jeff Merton (#44)
junior
Forward
6 foot 5 215 lbs.
Naples,Fla. (Community School of Naples)
2015-16: Led the team in scoring at 15.5 points per game. Was a solid shooter, shooting 49 percent from the field on the year. Was a 79 percent free throw shooter and led the team in rebounding. Scored in double figures 24 times included eight 20+ point games. Was sixth in the SSC in field goal percentage and fourth in 3-point shooting percentage. Was All SSC First Team and All District Second Team.
2014-15: Had a solid freshman campaign. Scored in double figures 17 times, including three games that he scored 20 points or more. Played 31.3 minutes per night. He averaged 11.1 points and five rebounds a contest. Had a double-double versus Florida Southern on 1/28. Then on 1/31 he had a career high 23 points versus Lynn. Finished the season with 21 points against eventual national champion Florida Southern.
Castenada sang the praises of Merton:
" He is a lights out shooter that can make a play even when he is not scoring. "
Bedulskis spoke of how Merton will expand his game this season:
" Jeff will look to be more of an all around player this season. He will play in the post a lot more, shoot a lot of 3-pointer's as a trailer and be an aggressive rebounder. He knows our offense well and will be our go to guy this season."
Pete's take: What will Merton do for an encore after being All SSC First Team last season? Conference Player Of The Year is possible.
Jack Fleming (#4)
senior
Forward
6 foot 6 205 lbs.
Tampa,Fla. (Tampa Jesuit High School)
2015-16: Appeared in 19 games as a member of the Tars averaging 10.5 minutes per game. Averaged three points a game on the year. Added 24 rebounds- nine steals and three blocks for the season. Tied his career high with three points versus Paine on 11/13. Set a new career high with 10 points against Eckerd on 2/3. Had eight points and three steals against Lynn on 1/6.
2014-15: Played for Colgate but saw no court time.
2013-14: Played in six games. Hit first 3-pointer against Binghamton on 12/1. Scored five points on the season. Played four minutes twice.
Bernal likes his offensive game:
" Jack is a shooter. One of the best shooters in Division II as a matter of fact. Is a very smart player, Health has always been an issue. If he can stay healthy, he could be an X factor.
Pete's take: Can really help this team if he's healthy. Is an outstanding shooter.
Bench:
Mike Bedulskis (#14)
senior
Center
6 foot 9 220 lbs.
Vilnius,Lithuania
2015-16: Started all 30 games for the Tars. Had an up and down season. He averaged 16.2 minutes per game. Averaged 7.2 points and 3.8 rebounds a night. Scored in double figures nine times. On 10 occasions he was perfect from the free throw line.
2014-15: Played in 27 games with the Tars. He averaged 11.6 minutes per game. Averaged 3.9 points and 2.1 rebounds per night. Scored in double figures five times.
2013-14: Played in six games for UNC Asheville. Scored 14 points in 18 minutes. First collegiate points came against Kentucky on 11/8.
Fellow big man Nils Lehmann commented on how practice is with "Big Mike":
"It is very good competition between the big men in practice. We really practice hard and thrive to make each other better. "
Bernal commented on his leadership:
" Mike has had his ups and downs. He has stuck it out and been a leader on this team."
Pete's take: The Tars are a much better team when Bedulskis is ultra aggressive. Gets to passive at times around the rim.
Joey Galvis (#32)
senior
Guard
6 foot 1 165 lbs,
Tampa,Fla. (Tampa Jesuit High School)
2015-16: Doubled his total of games played from the previous season, playing in 28 contests. Averaged 13.3 minutes and 6.9 points per game. Was instant offense off the bench shooting 51 percent from the field and 47 percent from the 3-point line. Led the team and was one of the best in the SSC with 46 steals on the year. Scored in double figures eight times. Had a career high 20 points against Nova Southeastern on 12/4 that included the game winning 3-pointer in the final seconds. The Tars won that game 75-74 in overtime. On 1/20 he had 11 points and five steals against Florida Southern.
2014-15: He scored 27 points in 14 games. Had eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals on the year. Shot 75 percent from the free throw line. Had eight points and four rebounds in win over Florida Tech on 2/25.
2013-14: Saw action in 15 games as a freshman scoring 21 points. Scored his first collegiate points against Palm Beach Atlantic on 11/12.
Bernal commended the coaching staff on this find:
" Joey was a great find by Tom, Brad and Kyle. He had his ups and downs but really developed into a good Rollins player because of his IQ and defensive tenacity. He and the rest of this class are so resilient."
Pete's take: The most improved player on this team since his freshman season. Is really fun to watch, especially on the defensive end where he is really good at jumping passing lanes. Has also developed into a good 3-point shooter.
Eric Castenada (#15)
redshirt sophomore
Guard
6 foot 4 175 lbs.
Oviedo,Fla. (Haggerty High School)
2015-16: Played in 27 games for the Tars, averaging 10.4 minutes a game. Scored 3.9 points a game while shooting 33 percent from the 3-point line. Was a 79 percent free throw shooter. Had a career high 12 points and four steals against Puerto Rico Bayamon on 11/23.
2014-15: Redshirt
Pete's take: Had a very strong finish to last season. Is very athletic and plays really hard!!
Blake Admire (#23)
redshirt freshman
Guard
6 foot 4 190 lbs.
Mobile,Ala. (Spanish Fort High School)
Played point and wing for Spanish Fort High as a senior after attending UMS Wright his first three seasons. Was three time All District and two time All State player. Was First team All Coastal Alabama, two time MVP and four time All Tournament selection. His senior season was the 4A Player Of The Year as his Spanish Fort team won 26 games and had their best run in post-season history. That season he averaged 18 points, eight rebounds, and six assists a game. His junior year at UMS Wright he averaged 21 points- seven assists and three rebounds a game.
2015-16: Redshirt
Bernal commented on Admire's shot:
" Blake is a guard who can shoot it. He is going to have to compete a lot for minutes considering how good this freshman class is."
Pete's take: Going to be hard to crack the rotation with this freshman class. Only way Admire can do it is if he shoots real well.
Daniel Loh (#22)
sophomore
Forward
6 foot 8 220 lbs.
Oviedo,Fla. (Haggerty High School)
2015-16: Played in 17 games for the Tars, scored 29 points and grabbed 32 rebounds for the season. Had his best all around game in a win over Paine. He scored four points- grabbed seven rebounds and had a pair of steals in that one. Had a solid game on 11/18 against Warner when he scored six points. Had five blocks and five steals for the season.
Castaneda commented on his size:
" He is a big defensive presence in the paint."
Beduslkis mentioned the work he put in during the off-season:
"Dan added some strength this off-season, he is a super athletic and quick big man who has a good variety of post moves. To see more minutes he will need to get tougher and be more aggressive."
Pete's take: Loh will see some minutes when the Tars play bigger teams, but he has not worked himself into the rotation yet. May see him and Philpott on the floor at the same time a little bit this season.
Nils Lehmann (#5)
redshirt freshman
6 foot 5 225 lbs.
Kiel, Germany
2015-16: Redshirt
Attended Winter Park High School as a foreign exchange student. Led his team in Germany to the state championship in 2014. Averaged 18 points- 5.5 rebounds- and three rebounds a game as a senior.
Bernal had this to say about Lehmann:
" He is a forward who can rebound and runs the floor well."
When asked what the biggest difference between the game overseas and here in the United States this is what he told me:
" The European game is a lot more structured and team oriented. It doesn't really as much on individual strength and is more tactical. The U.S game is a lot quicker and faster."
Pete's take: Can always use another big man who can get some rebounds. Lehmann could fit this role.
Marcus Camacho (#3)
redshirt sophomore
junior
Guard
6 foot 4 190 lbs.
Winter Spring,Fla. (Winter Springs High School)
2015-16: Sat out the season with an injury
2014-15: Redshirt
Stated sophomore thru senior seasons at Winter Springs and earned four letters. As a senior he averaged 18 points- six rebounds and three assists a game. Was Second Team All District and Second Team All-Area his senior season.
Pete's take: Could contribute if healthy, but injuries have always been an issue.
Out Injured:
Deion Clark (#1)
redshirt junior
Guard/Forward
6 foot 3 200 lbs.
Naples,Fla. (Barron Collier High School)
2015-16: Joined the Tars after transferring from Old Dominion. Had a break out season. He averaged 9.9 points a game and shot 77 percent from the free throw line. Scored in double figures 12 times. Had a career high 22 points against Warner on 11/18. Had a career high 12 rebounds against Florida Tech on 2/13.
2014-15: Played in 20 games for Old Dominion. He scored 15 points in 70 minutes (0.8 ppg.-) shot 33 percent from the field- and- went five of seven at the free throw line for the year. Was 0 for 4 from the 3-point line. Collected 11 rebounds, had two steals and one assists.
2013-14: Redshirt
2012-13: Scored a career high 13 points versus Delaware and 12 versus Murray State. Had three steals in a game versus the College of Charleston. Injured his left knee in game versus George Mason. Returned to play 10 minutes in the final game of the season versus Northeastern.
Bernal commented on his athletic ability amongst other things:
" He is a great teammate and playmaker. Doesn't do anything particularly well, but just makes plays when you need one. A must have on the floor at all times."
Bernal gave Clark the ultimate compliment:
" Deion may be the most underrated player in Rollins history. "
Pete's take: Clark is the "glue guy" for this team and it is very unfortunate that he broke his hand. That is the bad news. The good news is he had successful surgery on the hand. Another redshirt this season is possible. They really miss his IQ and ability to get to the rim.
Zach Ullian (#12)
redshirt sophomore
Guard
6 foot 4 215 lbs.
Indianlantic,Fla. (Holy Trinity High School)
2015-16: Saw action in 11 games scoring 17 points. Went 4 of 6 from the floor and 2 of 4 from the 3-point line. Was a solid 7 of 8 at the free throw line. Scored five points and grabbed a rebound in win over Clark-Atlanta on 11/14
2014-15: Redshirt
Was a three year letter winner for Holy Trinity High School. Won the 2014 District Championship, and was in the regional finals both his junior and senior year. Was a 47 percent career 3-point shooter. Scored a career high 38 points versus Father Lopez. Set the school record in that one with seven 3-pointer's made.
Bernal on Ullian:
" A very good shooter who may get some minutes off the bench."
Pete's take: As long as his shot is falling Ullian should play a few minutes a game when healthy. When/if his shot goes cold is when he could lose minutes. First he has to get healthy enough to get in the rotation though. He is out indefinelty.
Redshirts:
Christian Munson (#35)
freshman
Forward
6 foot 6 205 lbs.
Carmel,Indiana
Led Guerin Catholic in Carmel,Indiana to the 2014 sectional and regional championship. In 2015 they won the state championship. He averaged 22.4 points a game. This while scoring over 1,000 points in his high school career.
Pete's take: Very limited knowledge on this guy, but he had a solid high school career.
Parker Davis (#13)
freshman
Guard
6 foot 1 175 lbs.
Windermere,Fla. (Windermere Prep.)
Led Windermere to the 3A State Championship in 2016. Was Second Team All State and First Team All Area. Was the 2016 Class 3A Player of The Year.
Bernal really likes his game:
" Parker is a point guard who is real aggressive and finishes well. He and Jakobi will be two of the three best guards in the conference two years from now."
Pete's take: Could be the heir apparent to James Ferrell. Very solid future for him.
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