Lander Men's Basketball Completes Recruiting Class

GREENWOOD - First-year Lander men's basketball coach Jeff Burkhamer announced the completion of his 2009-10 recruiting class with the addition Tovi Bailey and Da'Shon Barrino.

Bailey, a 6-2, junior point guard from Villa Ricca, Ga., transfers to Lander form Charleston Southern University. Last season at Charleston Southern, where he started in 22 games, Bailey averaged 5.9 points and 2.3 rebounds per game while shooting 38 percent from the field (26 percent from the three-point line) and 61 percent from the foul line. As a freshman, when he started in 14 games, he averaged 6.7 points per game and shot 41 percent from the field (37 percent from the three) and 61 percent from the free throw line. He had a career high 17 points at Stetson and a high nine assists against Gardner-Webb.

He played high school basketball at Villa Rica High School and averaged 25 points, nine rebounds and six assists per game his senior year. He finished his prep career with 1,883 points and was named first-team All-State, Region MVP and the Times-Georgian Player of the Year.

"Tovi gives us an experienced point guard to build around during our first season," said Burkhamer. "He is extremely fast and can get the ball up the court in a hurry. He sees the floor well, handles the ball well, can create for himself and others, can shoot the three and is an outstanding defender."

Barrino is a 5-10, junior point guard from East Orange, N.J. Barrino come to Lander from Jacksonville Community College where he averaged 10.9 points per game last season and shot 52 percent from the floor (32 percent from the three) and 75 percent from the free throw line. An honorable mention All-Conference performer, he also averaged four assists and 2.5 steals per game.

He starred at Malcolm X Shabazz High School where he averaged 21 points, six assists and three steals per game his senior year. He was All-State and first-team All-Newark.

"Da'Shon gives us another true point guard," added Burkhamer. "He knows how to run a team and is a coach on the floor. He is an excellent ball handler, is fast in the open court, has great vision to find the open man and can make the three-pointer. His quickness should make him a pest on defense."