Kean Men’s Basketball Team Prepare for New Season
By Wayne Dawes | Published November 17, 2022
Assistant Coach Jerry Henderson has been a part of the coaching staff for the men’s basketball team for three seasons. To prepare for a new season, Henderson and the other coaches start during the off-season as recruiting plays a big part in bringing players in and fixing any weaknesses the team suffered from the previous season.
“We address our weaknesses and find a solution of how to make it a strength,“ Henderson said.” Talent wins with good coaching.”
With the men’s team making the NJAC tournament last year during the 2021-2022 season, the expectations for the 2022-2023 season have gone higher.
“Our goal was by the 2022-2023 season we capture the NJAC title and play in nationals,” Henderson said.
Not only does the team have expectations to win the NJAC title and play in nationals, returning players such as Letrell West, a forward who was 2nd team all-conference, and guard Jalen Jamison give the Cougars confidence in having another great season.
Joining them will be Griffin Baker, center from Seattle Washington, Tyheem Burno, a point guard coming in from Union County College, Corey Thelisme, a small forward is a transfer student from Bloomfield College and DJ Alicia, a 6’2 guard from Georgian Court University.
The basketball team has improved over the past few years, doubled their wins, and made the NJAC tournament last season and to capitalize on that accomplishment the coaches went out and got players who they feel like can take Kean to the next level which is the NJAC title.
Building a culture is extremely important if you want to have long-term success and for the men’s teams, all of the coaches want to set a standard of winning and belief within the program.
“All the coaches on the team come from winning programs and we have the same vision”, NJAC title or bust”, Henderson said.
During the season, it is important that both the coaches and players are on the same page so they can go out and win ball games, whether that is going over film, putting up shots, or going over the scouting report.
“The players are usually tuned into their music while preparing for a game,” Henderson said.
West, a senior for the basketball team was asked if there were any new goals as a team since they made the NJAC tournament last season.
“ The goals this year are to play together as one cohesive unit,” West said.” Staying positive and focused on our future goals to win the NJAC tournament and play in the national tournament.”
When it comes to personal goals, West is all about the team building their chemistry so they can potentially become an unstoppable team as he believes they have the weapons and firepower to take over games and exceed expectations.
“I’m looking forward to the heights this team can reach as we are so strong and have so many weapons that can go off and explode for a big game at any given time,” West said. “The team is full of great energy, and I believe once we completely understand how to play with each other we will be unstoppable.”
With transfer players such as Baker, Burno, and Thelisme coming to the team along with West and Jamison returning from last season, the team has the talent and leadership to go for in the NJAC tournament and win more ball games during the regular season.
“ All of our new players are great additions and have had such a big impact on our team. I’m very excited to see what we look like when all of them get comfortable with the system players and our play style,” West said.
For the basketball team personal stats are the last thing on everyone’s mind, as a team they just want to go out and compete to their best ability and build chemistry with each other on and off the court.
“ The energy off the court is great and the energy on the court is even better. The driving force is our will to win and that’s the only thing we care about out on that floor.” the stats, the individual accomplishments are not important, we want to go out and win a championship and that’s the energy and effort we give every day.” West said.
Winning a Championship is the expectation the players and coaches have for this year’s team. Everyone is excited to get the season started and build a culture that has huge potential to exceed expectations.