#CAAHoops Preview: Charleston Men's Basketball
Miles McQuiggan
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Nov. 5, 2022) - Pat Kelsey's first year in Charleston reaffirmed - and increased - the respect for the league he joined.
"I already had a healthy respect for the CAA and the tradition and the history it has," said Kelsey. "I had a very healthy respect for the caliber of the coaches. I've been in the business a long time and I know all these guys, but to go head-to-head against them and gameplan against them, I have a whole new level of respect for the coaches in this league. And in the talent level, you're going night in and night out against high-level players. Like every good league, it is going to be an absolute grind. Every game is going to be hotly contested and most will come down to the last couple possessions. That's the mark of a very healthy league."
That acclimation to the level of talent, coaching, and 40-minute battles in the CAA were also a new experience for two Charleston freshmen who enter this year as battle-tested sophomore.
Reyne Smith and
Ben Burnham were CAA All-Rookie selections in their first year at CofC with both also collecting preseason accolades entering this winter. Smith was one of the nation's top three-point shooting freshmen a year ago and one of the most efficient free-throw shooters among players of all classes. The Cougars also welcome back a pair of big men who played double-digit minutes in
Babacar Faye and
Charles Lampten along with another contributor from last year's freshman class,
Raekwon Horton.
Kelsey's success at recruiting from all levels has the potential to show again with this year's incoming class.
Pat Robinson was a 20-point per game scorer at Division II West Lberty,
Jaylon Scott was an NAIA All-America honoree,
Ryan Larson shot nearly 40% from three at Wofford, and the Cougars will also get back
Dalton Bolon, the two-time Division II All-America recipient who was sidelined for the year in November.
Charleston gets the honors of being the CAA representative in the MTE played on its home court in November as part of a challenging schedule that includes a visit to No. 1 North Carolina and hosting games against Chattanooga, Richmond, and Old Dominion. Three of the Cougars' first five games in league play will be against teams that joined them in last year's CAA Semifinals.
With more familiarity and a striving for daily excellence, those who have gotten acclimated to the CAA and those who will quickly this winter are ready to lead Charleston to success.
Charleston
Head Coach: Pat Kelsey
2021-22 Record: 17-15, 8-10 CAA (6th)
Postseason: CAA Semifinals
Returning Starters (2)
Reyne Smith, G 12.1 ppg, 37.5% 3FG, CAA All-Rookie Team
Ben Burnham, F 7.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, CAA All-Rookie Team
Notable Newcomers
Pat Robinson III, F 20.3 ppg at West Liberty, 2x 1st Team All-MEC
Jaylon Scott, G 19.2 ppg, 11.5 rpg at Bethel, KCAC Player of the Year, NAIA All-American
Ryan Larson, G 8.8 ppg, 39% 3FG at Wofford
Dalton Bolon, G 9.0 ppg in 3 games before season-ending injury; 2x D2 All-American
Follow #CAAHoops on
Facebook,
Twitter and
Instagram to get up-to-date information and learn more about CAA member institutions and their basketball programs.