2023-24 Men's Basketball Roster Announced
(Howell, MI)-- Cleary University head men's basketball coach Carl Thomas has announced the inaugural roster for the program's first season.
"Starting a program from the ground up is not an easy thing to do," said Coach Thomas.
"So being able to recruit and obtain the right players to carry the mantle of the first ever team here at Cleary University was a daunting task. I feel that we did a good job of identifying the right players that not only fit the system that we want to play here but that also embody what it means to be a student-athlete academically. That is why we are so excited to be able to coach this group of young men that have come from all over the country (MI, OH, VA, TX). They have trusted me and my staff to provide them with not only a great business education, but also the opportunity to do something that has not been done at this University. We are going to play a fast-paced type of basketball on both ends of the floor, and look forward to watching this team grow into something that the University and community can get behind!"
#0 Levi McKenzie – 6’0 170 Freshman from Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Central HS
"Levi is a person that excels in the classroom, and will bring a toughness on the defensive end that will fit right into what we are trying to do here at Cleary. He is a player that can really shoot the basketball, and he can play at either guard position."
#1 AJ Hess – 6’6 195 Freshman from Tiffin, OH/Mohawk HS
"AJ who is a shooter with NBA range, was one of the top 3-point shooters in Ohio last season. Whether it be coming off screens or pulling up from deep in transition, he will someone that other teams must account for. AJ graduated as the all-time 3-point shooter in his school’s history. He has good length that allows him to defend the 1-4 positions."
#2 Brockton Kohler – 6’3 185 Junior JC Transfer from Greenville/GRCC
"Brock is a young man who is a 3-point catch and shoot threat from anywhere on the floor. He brings toughness with him as well. As a guard who likes to rebound and take charges (55 taken last season). Brock received All-Academic and All-Conference Honorable Mention last year. As a two-time captain while at GRCC, Brock will be a great mentor to the younger players on the team."
#3 Jaylen Cole-Williams – 6’1 175 Grad Transfer from Reston, VA/Duquesne
"Jaylen is a quick combo guard who ran the scout team for the last several years while at Duquesne University. He can shoot it from distance and can get in the lane and make others around him better. As a Grad transfer, we look for Jaylen to help lead guys through his work ethic and knowledge gained throughout his college career."
#4 Anthony “Fats” Ivey – 6’5 185 Freshman from Cleveland, OH/St Monica Prep
"Anthony comes to us after spending his last year at a prep school in California. He brings some toughness to go along with his size and length that will allow him to defend different positions. This will also give him the ability to show his versatility on offense. He is a knock down 3-point shooter that is good in the mid-range also."
# 5 Justin Odoms – 6’1 175 Freshman from Hartland, MI/Hartland HS
"Justin is combo guard that is a natural scorer of the basketball and really shoot it with deep range. He can create his own shot as well as play in a catch a shoot role and is a good finisher in the lane with a variety of shots."
#11 Bennie Crenshaw Jr. – 5’11 170 Sophomore from Waterford, MI/Northwood
"Bennie has been known as a floor general since he was in High School. He can really push the ball in transition and his pass first mentality as a point guard makes him fun to play with. Bennie is good playing off ball screens and has a good pull up mid-range game. He is also a tough on ball defender."
#12 Nick Moore – 6’4 180 Sophomore JC Transfer from Cibolo, TX/Hibbing CC
"Nick is as excellent student that brings that hardworking mentality to the court. A combo guard that can get downhill to score or to make others better, as well as being able to space the floor as a 3-point threat. He is a versatile guard, that can defend and play the 1-3 positions."
#13 Chris Williams – 6’5 180 Freshman from Southfield, MI/Ferndale HS
"Chris is another athlete joining the program this year that not only excels on the court but in the classroom as well. He is a tough, long, and athletic slashing wing that is a good finisher at the basket. His rapidly developing 3-point shot is going to make him a tough cover, at both the wing and combo forward positions. Chris is a great defender that plays with a high motor who can guard every position on the floor. He brings with him the Division 2 State Championship, which he was a part of in his senior season at Ferndale."
#14 Carter Thomas –6’2 170 Sophomore JC Transfer from Caledonia/GRCC
"Carter is a tough, hardworking young man that was voted team captain of his GRCC team last season. His work ethic and enthusiasm make him an excellent teammate who guys will love to play with. Carter will bring shooting and defense with him from GRCC. With his length for a guard, it gives him the capabilities to defend multiple positions."
#23 Tim Kewley – 6’8 215 Freshman from Romeo/Romeo HS
"Tim is a long and athletic rebounder and shot blocker. He has a great motor and runs the floor extremely well. Tim has a soft touch around the basket and can finish with both hands. He had a game high of 23 rebounds, and a game where he had 8 blocked shots in high school."
#24 Case Conley – 6’7 210 Grad Transfer from Williamston/Davenport
"Case, as a Grad student, brings with him a ton of experience at the college level. He is a jack of all trades type of player that gives us some size to go along with his with versatility, that will allow to play him inside as well as on the perimeter."
#32 Ashton Tomassi – 5’11 175 Freshman from Fenton, MI/Brighton HS
"Ashton comes in fresh of being named All Livingston County Player of the Year for consecutive seasons in basketball, as he won the award in both his junior and senior seasons. He is a point guard that has a hard-nosed style of play, which comes from his football background (Where he was All Livingston County as well). He is a good on spot up catch and shoot 3’s along with having a nice one or two dribble pull up game."
#50 Tyree Jones – 6’6 230 Junior JC Transfer from Littlefield, TX/Coastal Bend CC
"Tyree is a big-strong post player that can also play facing the basket. He is a good athlete, and is a physical rebounder and defender. His length allows him to guard in the post as well as out on the floor."
The team began practice this week, and will open up their season on Friday, November 3, with a game against the Taylor Trojans at Rochester.