Eric Brown   #0   5'10"   150   SO   Guard   Cassopolis High School,   Cassopolis, Michigan

…2004 high school graduate…coached by longtime Cougar Camp staffer, Floyd Foston...team MVP his senior year averaging 15 points and 4 rebounds...won First Team All Conference honors in basketball and Honorable Mention All Conference in football at Cassopolis ...participated in the South Bend Tribune's All Area Game after high school...pursuing a Liberal Arts Associates' Degree at KVCC

Coach’s Comments:  “Eric has transferred from Grand Rapids CC after playing in a reserve role for one season for the Raiders.  He is familiar with the demands of conference play, and has shown promise in early practices.  He is a two guard from high school and is working hard to make the transition to point guard at the college level.  He has a challenging task ahead of him, but his effort and attitude could drive him to be a pleasant surprise."

Nick Neal   #3   5'11"   155   FR   Guard   Southeastern High School,   Detroit, Michigan

…2006 graduate...coached by Carlton Johnson...averaged 10 points and 7 assists last year ...earned Most Improved Player award his junior year and Defensive Player of the Year his senior season...his high school team finished 18-4, winning District and Regional Championships ...his AAU team traveled overseas to play in Ireland this past summer...is leaning toward either a degree in Business or in WPE

Coach’s Comments:  “Nick is a young point guard that must develop quickly in order to see significant playing time this season.  He brings some fine ball handling and dribbling skills that make him a candidate for point guard minutes.  Mental toughness and confidence running the offense are areas he is focusing on developing.  His  adjustment to the intense physical play needed at this level could lead him to make a valuable contribution to this year's Cougar squad."

Kevin Ludwig   #5   6'2"   177   SO   Guard   West Ottawa High School,   Holland, Michigan

…2005 graduate...coached by Von Washington ...Tri-captain his senior year in high school...led his school to its first conference championship in 34 years in the OK Red Lakeshore league...03-04 16-6 record is the best in school history...BCAM Honorable Mention All State...1st Team All Conference junior and senior seasons...two-time Holland Sentinel All Area Team...Holland Sentinel Player of the Year in 04-05...two time Zeeland Record All Area pick...averaged 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists his final season of high school...on schedule to graduate from KVCC...interested in teaching and coaching...Sports Management major

Coach’s Comments:  “Kevin came on strong at tournament time last year, getting more and more PT down the stretch.  He has worked hard over the summer to develop his point guard skills.  He is a versatile player, who shoots well and has improved his ability to penetrate under control.  His fine leaping ability enables him to be a solid rebounder for a perimeter player.  Kevin has returned even more determined to elevate his game this year.  His maturity and leadership will be counted upon heavily this season."

James Partee   #11   6'1"   160   SO   Guard   Coloma High School,   Coloma, Michigan

...1999 graduate...coached by Billy Gillespie...transfer from LMC...played guard for the Indians with his identical twin, Jerry...averaged 14 points in high school...majoring in Social Work

Coach’s Comments: “James played his first college season at Lake Michigan College 7 years ago.  He is back for his 2nd season as our 'elder statesman'.  He possesses a great attitude and has worked hard to get back into shape for this comeback attempt.  He is a good perimeter shooter, and displays unique leaping ability and quickness.  James must learn to select his shots well and make good decisions with the ball.  When he does, he will become a fine college player.  We are counting on his stable leadership this year."

Jeremy Hunter   #13   5'10"   150   FR   Guard   Pinckney High School, Pinckney, Michigan

Antwone Collins   #15   6'3"   218   FR   Forward   Community High School,   Detroit, Michigan

...2006 graduate...coached by Nkwane Young...averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds on his District and Regional Championship 20-6 team...earned Free Press Honorable Mention All City and Free Press Honorable Mention All State honors...WPE major

Coach’s Comments:  “Antwone comes from a fine high school program.  He is a slasher and can shoot the jumper.  As he improves his intensity and his fundamentals, he could provide critical scoring and rebounding help.  As with many freshmen, his amount of playing time will be directly related to his overall development and his grasp of team offensive and defensive concepts needed for success at this level." 

Paul Griffith   #21   6'4"   212   SO   G   Ottawa Hills High School,   Grand Rapids, Michigan

…2005 high school graduate …coached by Lee Gilbert...averaged 12 points and 7 rebounds on his 21-3 Grand Rapids City League and District championship team...averaged 6.4 points and 1.5 rebounds for last year's Cougar squad...won Academic and Athletic All City Honors his last high school season...sports a 3.06 GPA at KVCC...interested in Bio-Metric Security at Davenport University in Grand Rapids

Coach’s Comments: “Paul could be a key ingredient for our success this year.  After playing on an exceptional high school team, he experienced an up-and-down college freshman season at KVCC.  He has good size and quickness for a guard, and he is working hard to be more consistent with and without the ball.  His defense must continue to improve.  Perhaps his greatest asset is his desire to be a good student and a good player.  His progress and consistency will impact our program significantly."

Daniel Gay, Jr.    #23      6’1”     175      SO   Guard   Union High School, Grand Rapids, Michigan

...2003 graduate of Union HS...coached by Bennett Gay...National Honor Roll...attended Aquinas College then Grand Rapids CC before transferring to KVCC...has earned Dean's List recognition at KVCC...currently sports a 3.31 overall GPA...during his final high school season, he received numerous All City, All Area, and Advanced All Area West honors from the Grand Rapids Press...led the city in scoring with a 19.6 average his senior year...also averaged 6.7 assists that same year...Free Press All State Class A Honorable Mention...averaged 7.9 points and 4.4 rebounds for the 05-06 Cougars, before injuring his back...selected Co-Captain of this year's squadLiberal Arts major  

Coach’s Comments: “After playing in 19 games last season, Daniel's back pain became so severe that he was not able to dress for our remaining games.  He has since managed to avoid back surgery, and has spent the off-season doing therapy.  His improving health plus his intense desire to play, should make him an even more valuable asset to this year's team.  He has a solid outside shot, and has improved his dribbling skills remarkably.  Besides being a solid rebounder for a guard, Daniel is also a good team player, and even more important, an excellent student in the classroom.  He has already gained the respect of his teammates both on and off the court.  He will be a key player for the Cougars this year."

J. T. VanDyke   #25   6'4"   193   FR   Forward   Covenant Christian High School,   Grand Rapids, Michigan

...2006 graduate...coached by Russ Zwak...averaged 17 points and 5 rebounds for his 20-3 high school team...named Co-MVP and All River Valley Conference First Team his final high school season...Drafting/Architecture major

Coach’s Comments: “J. T. has been a pleasant surprise.  He plays hard and he understands the intricacies of team offenses and defenses pretty well.  He's one of many swing-type players on this year's squad.  To play inside for us he'll have to improve his rebounding and post-up skills; to play the perimeter, he'll need to improve his dribbling and perimeter shooting.  His ability to guard smaller players will also be tested, especially at the 3 spot.  His fine attitude and work ethic should make him able to contribute significantly this year."

Jay Thompson   #33   6'4"   210   FR   Forward   Monroe High School, Monroe,  Michigan

...2006 graduate...coached by former MAC star, Roosevelt Barnes...earned All Conference, All Region, and All Mega Red honors twice in high school...averaged 14 points and 7 rebounds his senior year...selected MVP both his junior and senior years at Monroe...won All State honors in track, breaking the school high jump record at 6'9"...undecided on a major at this time

Coach’s Comments: “Jay has some raw athletic talent that he must learn to harness.  He has a decent jumper and can take the ball to the basket.  Jay is another versatile 'swing' man who is trying to learn at least two positions.  He must adjust to the intensity of the college game quickly.  If he does, he could surprise this season.  Playing under control and digging in on defense will be keys determining the extent of his contribution this season."

Jonathan Brown   #35   6'4"   180   FR   Forward   Inkster High School, Inkster, Michigan
 
...2006 graduate...played for Gerald Paschal... earned letters in track (2 yrs) and basketball (3 yrs at Inkster High...averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds on his 13-11 Inkster team....Business Major

Coach’s Comments: “Jonathan has good quickness and agility for a small forward.  In early practices he has struggled with the offensive expectations of our coaching staff, but his work ethic and his desire to improve should result in rapid growth and development.  Defense and rebounding should be his strengths as his offensive skills improve."

Manny Williams   #41   6'3"   185   FR   Forward/Guard   Community High School, Detroit, Michigan
 
…2006 coached by Nkwane Young.....averaged 20 points and 5 rebounds a game...earned Free Press Honorable Mention All City, Honorable Mention All Metro, and First Team All State honors for his 20-6 team...set a school record with 81 threes his senior year...interested in becoming a paramedic and/or a fire fighter

Coach’s Comments: “Manny missed several early practices in order to solidify his academics.  He has the potential to be a heavy contributor this year if he can blend into the offensive patterns and elevate his understanding of team defense.  Although he is suited for small forward, his quickness, size, and mobility make the two guard spot a viable position for him.  His fine perimeter shooting compliments his overall offensive game."

Michael Tilmon   #43   6'6"   210   FR   Forward   Martin Luther King High School, Detroit, Michigan
 

…2006 high school graduate…coached by former MSU Spartan, Benny White...averaged 10 points and 10 rebounds on his District Championship MLK team his senior year...earned Honorable Mention All Conference honors in the tough Detroit PSL...wants to become an Auto Body Engineer

Coach’s Comments: “Michael has shown a tremendous desire to learn in early practices.  He has good speed and agility and should improve rapidly.   Michael's mid-range shooting ability makes him a threat from the perimeter already, but he must develop better post skills so he will be able to get to the line more often.  We are counting on Michael's defense to be steady as his offensive skills are developed."

Shawn Carter   #45   6'2"   191   FR   Forward   Community High School, Detroit, Michigan

…2006 graduate…coached by Nkwane Young…averaged 18 points and 7 rebounds on Community's 20-6 team...selected Free Press All City and Honorable Mention All State ...interested in studying Interactive Media and Website Design while at KVCC

Coach’s Comments: “Shawn is a versatile athlete that can score with his back to the basket as well as from the perimeter.  He had an impressive high school career, and has been eager to learn the college game.  Since he is small for a forward, he must improve his rebounding and defense against bigger opponents.  I am excited about his overall potential to be a solid college player, and I expect him to become a key member of our squad this season."

Kyle Laker   #51   6'7"   205   SO   Center   Wayland High School, Wayland, Michigan

…2005 high school graduate…coached by Mike Hudson...2nd Team All Area in basketball...All Conference and All State in track...runner-up in the State Class B track meet with a 6'9" high jump, which also set a school record...National Honor Society member...received Japinga Award for Wayland High School Athlete of the Year...averaged 6.5 points and 3.5 rebounds as a Frosh at KVCC...has a 3.7 GPA at KVCC and is considering Engineering as a degree  

Coach’s Comments: “Kyle has returned with more weight and confidence.  As he continues to gain strength and experience, he should become a major factor on this Cougar squad.  His ability to play a more physical game and to defend on the perimeter will be his greatest challenges.  Kyle is a solid fundamental player with his best basketball definitely still in front of him.  His excellent attitude on and off the court will facilitate his progress.  He will be counted upon heavily this season."

Ryan Chambers   #53   6'7"   230   FR   Center   Schoolcraft High School, Schoolcraft, Michigan

Matt Dennis
Assistant Coach, Charlevoix, MI

Fourth year Assistant Coach, Matt Dennis, has become an integral part of the coaching staff after playing on two successful KVCC teams in 2001-02 and 2002-03.  He showed tremendous improvement as a player while at KVCC and his attitude helped shape the success of the teams he played on.  Matt assisted at Charlevoix High School during their MHSAA State Runner-up Class C finish in 2000-01.  Matt is currently the Director of the Basketball Minds Summer Camps in Northern Michigan.  His is currently also serving as a KVCC part-time instructor in the Wellness and Physical Education Department.  He is pursuing his Bachelor's Degree in Health Education at Western Michigan University.  He and former KVCC volleyball standout, A. J. Jager, now Mrs. Dennis, are proud parents of baby Olivia.

"As Matt begins his fourth season on the KVCC staff, he brings a wealth of experience to the job.  Matt has a keen eye for evaluating talent, both from the attitudinal as well as the physical aspect.  His roll has been expanded to include pre-season conditioning and strength training as well as coaching.  He is a tireless worker with a great perspective on the role athletics can play in a student's overall growth and development.  We're blessed to have a person of his caliber in this position."