WASHINGTON (November 25, 2020) – The Howard University men's basketball program has had as much hoopla surrounding it as perhaps any time in its history. The signing of five-star recruit Makur Maker (West Hill, Calif.) shook the college basketball world and received worldwide attention as he became the first player of his caliber to select an Historically Black College and University (HBCU). That, plus the combination of signing a solid class of transfers, a talented recruiting class and the return of a couple of key returnees, has people talking about the prospects of the 2020-21 season.
 
SEASON OUTLOOK
 
Yet, while Bison head coach Kenneth Blakeney does not hide his excitement at the prospects of a special season, he cautions Bison Nation on their high expectations.
 
"This is why we came here to Howard University," said Blakeney, entering his second year at the helm. "We want to build the brand of Howard and recruit the top young student-athletes here. But it's not like we have brought in the Fab Five [referring to the talented starting five freshmen who led the University of Michigan to great heights]. Sure, Maker is an outstanding talent and we have some talented players on the roster. But we are very young and he is a freshman."
 
Tempered assessments aside, Maker is unlike any player who has dared to play at an HBCU. 
 
At 6-11, he has all the skills in his repertoire to be an impact player. He has adept ballhandling skills, has range on the perimeter and is a defensive and rebounding force with his length. He is perhaps a future NBA lottery pick.
 
Blakeney's points are well taken. In losing the team's all-time leading scorer in Charles Williams and leading rebounder Zion Cousins, the roster is composed of only four players with playing experience returning from last year's team while adding seven freshmen and four transfers.
 
THE KEY RETURNERS
 
Kyle Foster (Hampton, Va.), Wayne Bristol, Jr. (Upper Marlboro, Md.) and Khalil Robinson (Columbia, S.C.) make up the core of returning players.
 
Foster, a 6-5 wing player, could be the key to helping the team in gaining chemistry. Known primarily as a shooter with unlimited range, Foster has primarily been a designated shooter. He suffered an injury that kept him out of the lineup through the middle of last season, but he recovered and went on to play his best basketball late in the season, including the two games in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament.
 
"I have been pleased with Kyle's progress," said Blakeney of his senior. "He has learned the system and is becoming a more complete player for us. We will certainly need that kind of leadership with so many young and new players to the system."
 
Foster finished fourth on the team in scoring at 9.2 points per game.
 
Robinson, a 5-11 sophomore, is another key returning player, having started at point guard and was en route to the all-freshman team before an injury sidelined him. He led the team in total assists (93) and will be expected to pick up where he was prior to the season-ending injury.
 
Bristol, Jr. emerged as the top freshman in the MEAC last season, averaging 12.6 points per game. The 6-5 wing guard's added experience in the system should be a plus.
 
THE TRANSFERS
 
Blakeney is also hoping that transfers Sam Green (Bowie, Md.), Nojel Eastern (Evanston, Ill.), Deven Richmond (Bowie, Md.) and Isaac Suffren (Charlotte, N.C.) will bring much needed additional experience to the young team.
 
Green is a 6-6 senior grad transfer from Drexel, who brings some strength on the boards.
 
Richmond, 6-4 junior guard played at Howard Community College for two years after playing at DeMatha Catholic H.S. during his prep career and he brings defense to the table.
 
Suffren, 6-4 sophomore guard who played at Lafayette and has a reputation as a scorer and will be expected to provide offense.
 
Eastern is a 6-7 senior forward transfer from Purdue, who was twice named to the All-Big Ten Defensive Team, but at press time, his status is uncertain as Howard awaits a decision on a waiver for him.
 
THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
 
The freshmen class bring a variety of skills to the mix:
 
Rahim Ali, Jr. (Baltimore) – Guard / 5-11 / 150
Jordan Wood (San Antonio, Texas) – Forward / 6-9 / 200
Thomas Weaver (Upper Marlboro, Md.) – Guard / 5-10 / 165
Spencer Hayes (Upper Marlboro, Md.) – Guard / 6-5 / 175
Steve Settle, III (Glenarden, Md.) – Forward / 6-10 / 175
 
Ali, a 5-11 standout from Baltimore, brings toughness and a winning attitude to the point guard position.  He helped lead his high school to three straight City titles.
 
Wood, at 6-9, brings versatility to the team with his ability to play four different positions.
 
Blakeney says that Weaver's biggest asset is his scrappiness and high IQ for basketball.
 
Hayes, a 6-5, 175-pound guard brings tough defense to the mix.
 
Settle, who also prepped at DeMatha, is an intriguing case. He entered the famed high school program at 5-9, and 150 pounds as a guard. He then hit a growth spurt over the next three years and grew to 6-10 by his senior season, but he failed to pick up weight, prompting Blakeney to redshirt him last season. Blakeney likes his upside.
 
"We played him at point guard in practice," Blakeney stated on Settle. "The added weight of 30 pounds, along with his ability to shoot the ball gives us a lot to be excited about."
 
THE SCHEDULE
 
The Bison open the season Thursday (Nov. 26) versus Belmont at 5 p.m. (ET) in the D.C. Paradise Jam Tournament at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. This game and the other two against Queens University (N.C.) and George Mason will be streamed live on ESPN3.
 
The teams, Belmont, a perennial NCAA Tournament participant and a George Mason program that is on the rise in the A-10.  Other non-conference games include LaSalle, Hampton, Bellarmine, Elon, Mount St. Mary's, N.C. Central at home in a non-conference tilt, and of course, the Notre Dame game on Martin Luther King (MLK) day at Burr Gymnasium.
 
"Not having the luxury of exhibition games certainly is a challenge with a team of so many young freshmen and new players," said Blakeney.  "We were 4-29 last year in case people forgot. So, we could win 10 games, which would be an improvement, or we could win 11-12 games, which could be considered pretty good.  We just have to be realistic in our expectations."
 
The MEAC gets underway with the new realignment of North and South Division, beginning Jan. 2 at Delaware State.
 
Derek W. Bryant, Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations & Sports Information, contributed to this story.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.