2024-25 Roster

[LIONS90045]

Recently I was going to make a list of next year’s roster. In fact I was getting a warm feeling about next years prospects. However, that was before the titanic changes we’re currently going thru were known with coaching changes and transfers.
For now, I’m keeping my powder dry until things settle down.
Too many unknowns. In fact, perhaps a few “unknown” unknowns as they say.

[ALioninWinter]

Projected Status (as of right now) -

Hill - graduated
Johnston - rising senior
Wright - declared for transfer portal
Ristic - rising RS freshman
Taitz - rising RS senior
Lewis - rising senior
Thiemann - graduated
McBride - rising sophomore
Graham - rising senior
Issanza - rising senior
Merkviladze - rising senior
Leaupepe - graduated
Harris - declared for transfer portal

I’m a bit confused on remaining eligibility for a couple guys so I stand ready to be corrected. It seems that the COVID rules have made career collegiate players out of some players.

So, it looks like right now we have: 1) an excellent shooting but no defense combo guard (Johnston); 2) 4 guys who play the 4/5 positions but only one of them can generally find the basket; and 3) 3 guys who I think can play the 2/3 spots although I haven’t seen two of them on an actual court. Hmmm … looks like we have a ways to go. It’s going to be an interesting 7 months.

[golions1444]

There will be at least a few more entering the portal

[LIONS90045]

Updated 4/21/24

Roster 2024-25

Players lost (6)

Justice Hill - completed eligibility
Justin Wright - transfer
Lars Thiemann - completed eligibility
Michael Graham - transfer
Keli Leaupepe - completed eligibility
Dominick Harris - transfer

Returning players (7)

Will Johnston 6’3” 185 G SR
Noah Taitz 6’3” 190 G SR
Jovan Ristic 6’5” 205 F Redshirt FR
Lamaj Lewis 6’6” 210 F SR*
Aaron McBride 6’6” 210 F SO
Alex Merkviladze 6’8” 225 F SR*
Rick Issanza 7’1” 245 C SR*

New Guys

Jan Vide 6’6” 200 G/F SO
Matar Diop 6’10” 213 C SO
Jael Martin 6’8” 190 F FR**
Marley Zeller 6’5” G FR**
Myron Amey, Jr. 6’2” 185 SR


If these lists are all correct, we lost 6 players and have signed 5. Thus, we have 1 roster slots open.

Players marked with * are using their COVID exemption. I am not certain all 3 (Lewis, Merkviladze and Issanza) are returning.

Recruits marked with ** originally signed with Pepperdine and switched to follow Romar to LMU.

[pumpfake]

seems to be a concerted effort to sign bigger guards/wing players. I think it's a good move -more length on the perimeter.

[ALioninWinter]

90045 - thanks for researching the data. I’d kinda lost track of where we were. I understand Wright and Harris transferring. I’m not sure where Graham thinks he might get a better situation. I absolutely love his hustle but there’s not much skill there that’s going to make him attractive to other programs. I wish him the best but I’ll be surprised if he finds a better spot.

I’m glad Coach has gone after some size in the backcourt. We were getting killed by the 6’6” wings. Hopefully a couple of these new guys can actually play DI 3s. Now, do we have a legit PG??

[pumpfake]

You have to think the staff has made getting a top point guard a priority. They should get it done seeing as there doesn't seem to be any obvious competition on the current roster.

[thx4leavinjimlynam]

So are we thinking a starting five of Porter, Merkviladze, Vide, Amey and Johnston?

[ALioninWinter]

Not seeing a PG. You can figure Porter is a lock to start. And it’ll be great to have 2 7-footers backing him up. Alex probably gets a starting role. Not the most skilled guy but he really hustled last year. He’s probably earned the starting role. Amey certainly had a strong scoring year last season. If he can play defense, he’ll fill a big void for us. I really like Johnson’s ability to score from the 2-spot. But he will be a defensive liability. Maybe he starts, maybe he doesn’t. Vide came to UCLA with high prospects and worked his rear off for the Bruins but didn’t produce much. He’s highly touted but will have to show something during summer and fall practices. Now…who plays point??

[pumpfake]

Lineup with vary depending on matchups but I see Will coming off the bench for an offensive spark. I think maybe McBride starts. He brings defense and rebounds and glue-guy intangibles. We have a couple questions marks in Taitz (will he be healthy?) and Ristic (we really don't know too much about his game but, if he wasn't in the plan, I think he would have gone portaling).

[pumpfake]

Winter - with the current roster (things could still change), I think Vide is the point guard. He's listed as a point guard in various places and a shooting guard in other places. He might not be a conventional Chris Paul type but he seems to have good vision and play making ability.

[LIONS90045]

Jael Martin



Marley Zeller

[LIONS90045]

Jovan Ristic

[golions1444]

Slow day at work lions90045 lol

[ALioninWinter]

Apr 22, 2024 19:08:53 GMT -5 pumpfake said:

Winter - with the current roster (things could still change), I think Vide is the point guard. He's listed as a point guard in various places and a shooting guard in other places. He might not be a conventional Chris Paul type but he seems to have good vision and play making ability.

I hope you’re right now that our roster seems to be full. Coach has picked up some talented athletes and we seem to have at least 4/5 positions filled. It’ll be interesting to see how they mesh.