High Point University Men's Basketball Head Coach G.G. Smith has announced the Panthers' 2022-23 recruiting class. The Panthers welcome four newcomers, two transfers, a post-grad, and a true freshman.
Coach G.G. Smith on the Incoming Class: "Overall we really like our class, all four of these guys give us the depth that we need. It gives us the right pieces to build on a new start here at High Point with a new coach. We are getting four great kids, who want to be at High Point, I think they will excel here. This class will make us the deepest team we have had since we have been here. That is one thing I like about our team this year, we are excited about getting them here this summer, getting busy, and getting ready for the fall."
Transfers
Abdoulaye Thiam | University of Minnesota | 6'3 | Guard | Redshirt Sophomore
- Goes by 'Laye', and is the third-ever Power-5 transfer joining Brian Richardson (South Carolina) and Allan Chaney (Virginia Tech / Florida)
- Laye is from Orlando, Florida
- Thiam is a Minnesota transfer, he was previously at Indian River State College
- Spent one season with Minnesota; Appeared in 15 games for the Golden Gophers; scored 12 points
- Averaged 15 points a game at Indian River State College; 48.6 Percent Three-Point Percentage
- First Team All-Southern Conference Selection
- Named to FCSAA/NJCAA Region VIII All-Tournament Team
What Coach Smith likes about Laye: "We like his size and that he can shoot the ball really well. He is a big-time transfer from Minnesota. He shot the ball well at Indian River State and even though he might not have played that much at Minnesota he did commit and was on scholarship there at a power-5, Big Ten program. We like what he is going to give us when it comes to replacing John-Michael Wright. We him expect to play a lot of the minutes that John-Michael did."
Ahmard Harvey | Coastal Carolina | 6'7 | Forward | Redshirt Junior
- Is from Freeport, Bahamas came to the US for high school, and attended Aspire Academy in Lousiville, Ky,
- Transferring to HPU from Coastal Carolina.
- Appeared in 45 games as a Chanticleer. Scored 88 points in his career at Coastal, his career-high in points was 10 which he achieved twice one against Greensboro College and once against Troy, both in winning efforts for CCU.
What Coach Smith likes about Ahmard: "We like his maturity. We like that he is an older guy, he will play the four and the five spot for us. He is a very good rebounder. He is extremely athletic. We just love that he is an older kid and think that his maturity will really help our young guys out. I know his coaches from Coastal really well, Cliff Ellis and Benny Moss and they vouch for him. I know he will be good for us."
Sam Perez | 6'7 | Forward | Freshman
- Is a true freshman from Apex, NC played at Trinity Academy
- Committed to HPU in August of 2021, was the first commitment of 2022-23 incoming class
- Averaged 16.6 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 3.5 APG with 51% FG in junior season at Middle Creek.
What Coach Smith likes about Sam: "We really like his versatility, he has good size, he can really shoot the ball, and he can pass well. We are looking to play him in the three and four positions. He comes from a great program at Trinity Academy. We like his extremely high IQ on the floor, he needs to get a little bigger and stronger being a true freshman but he is a guy who can be a pick and pop versatile guy for us here in the Big South. We have not had a knockdown shooter or great passer like him since we have been here, so excited about him."
Justin Taylor | Hargrave Military Academy | 6'3 | Guard | Freshman
- Taylor is coming to High Point after spending a post-grad year at Hargrave Military Academy
- Taylor is from Charlotte, N.C., and spent his high school career at Carmel Christian and Mallard Creek.
What Coach Smith likes about Justin: "He will give us some depth at the combo spot. We like that he is a smart kid, having played at Hargrave and Carmel Christian, we know he was well-coached. We expect him to be able to contribute right away."
#GoHPU
