Greenville, S.C. – Furman ramps up its preparations for the 2022-23 men's basketball season with the official start of practice on Monday at Timmons Arena.
The Paladins return three starters from a 2021-22 squad that posted a 22-12 overall record and placed second in the Southern Conference with a 12-6 league mark. Furman advanced to the finals of the SoCon Men's Basketball Championship in Asheville, N.C., before falling to Chattanooga on a buzzer beater in overtime.
"We're all just ready to get after it," said forward
Jalen Slawson, the 2022 SoCon Defensive Player of the Year. "This whole team has put a ton of work into getting ready for practice. We all know that once practice gets here, the season will be here before we know it. We're all excited, the staff included."
Slawson, a fifth-year senior, contributed 14.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game a year ago while dishing out 125 assists, registering 58 steals and blocking 58 shots en route to earning All-SoCon honors. The Summerville, S.C., product will be joined by fellow first team All-SoCon selection
Mike Bothwell. The fifth-year guard from Cleveland Heights, Ohio, paced the Paladins with 15.7 points per game last season and added 4.0 rebounds per contest and 101 assists. Slawson and Bothwell both entered the NBA Draft before electing to return to school for a fifth season. Furman also welcomes the return of redshirt junior
Marcus Foster, who posted 8.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while making 27 starts a year ago.
Furman is entering its sixth season under the leadership of head coach
Bob Richey. In his first five seasons leading the Paladin program, Richey has posted four 20-win campaigns, including back-to-back 25-win seasons in 2019 and 2020, and fashioned a 111-46 overall record. His .707 winning percentage ranks in the top 10 among active NCAA Division I head coaches.
In addition to its returning starters, Furman will boast significant experienced depth.
Garrett Hien, a 6-foot-9 junior, averaged 5.2 points while logging 34 appearances and five starts in 2021-22. Guard
Joe Anderson shot 46.9% from 3-point range and contributed 4.7 points per game over 29 outings as a sophomore last season.
JP Pegues reached double figures in scoring five times in 29 appearances a year ago. The Paladins also return experience in junior forward
Jonny Lawrence, sophomore guard
Alex Williams, sophomore forward
Tyrese Hughey, and sophomore forward
James Repass.
Wake Forest transfer
Carter Whitt adds to Furman's experience at the guard position and 6-foot-6 freshman
Davis Molnar and 6-foot-7 freshman
Ben VanderWal will look to earn their first collegiate action.
Furman opens its season in Timmons Arena on Monday, November 7, versus North Greenville before the Paladins entertain perennial mid-major power Belmont on Friday, November 11. Penn State will provide the opposition when the Paladins open play in the Shriners Children's Charleston Classic on November 17, in Charleston, S.C.
The 2023 Ingles Southern Conference Basketball Championship is scheduled for March 3-6 at the Harrah's Cherokee Center in Asheville, N.C.
Season ticket prices for men's basketball begin at $135.
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