2023-24 Samford Mens Basketball Program 3 by Samford University

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2023-24 Samford Bulldogs 4

Roster

Samford University

President Beck Taylor

Director of Athletics Martin Newton

Head Coach Bucky McMillan

Assistant Coaches

Players

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Men’s Basketball 2023-2024 Schedule

Nov. 6 Nov. 10 Nov. 14 Nov. 17 Nov. 22 Nov. 24 Nov. 25 Nov. 30 Dec. 3 Dec. 11 Dec. 16 Dec. 19 Dec. 21 Jan. 3 Jan. 6 Jan. 11 Jan. 13 Jan. 17 Jan. 20 Jan. 24 Jan. 27 Jan. 31 Feb. 3 Feb. 8 Feb. 10 Feb. 14 Feb. 17 Feb. 21 Feb. 24 Feb. 28 Mar. 2 Mar. 8-11

at #2 Purdue at VCU Mississippi College South Carolina State Alabama State Merrimack North Carolina A&T Louisiana-Lafayette LaGrange Alabama A&M Belmont at Valparaiso at Texas Southern Chattanooga* at The Citadel* UNC Greensboro* VMI* at Western Carolina* Mercer* at Furman* at ETSU* Wofford* at Chattanooga* at UNC Greensboro* at VMI* Western Carolina* at Mercer* Furman* ETSU* at Wofford* The Citadel* SoCon Tournament!

5:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3 p.m. 2 p.m. 7 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 1 p.m. 6 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 12 p.m. 7 p.m. 5 p.m. 5 p.m. 5 p.m. TBD TBD 6:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 6 p.m. TBD 8 p.m. 1 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 6 p.m. 2 p.m. TBD

ALL TIMES ARE CENTRAL AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE *-Southern Conference game !-Asheville, N.C.

2023-24 BASKETBALL

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There’s no better feeling than cheering on your team. Nothing brings us all together like game day. That’s why Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is a loyal sponsor of sports programs across the state and why we’re proud to be your trusted teammate when it comes to your health insurance. Learn more at AlabamaBlue.com/RightForYou.

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Samford Bulldogs

2023-24 Numerical Roster NO 0 1 2 3 4 5 10 11 12 13 14 15 21 22 23 24 25 31 32 35

NAME Lukas Walls Josh Holloway Jaden Campbell Chandler Leopard Jermaine Marshall A.J. Staton-McCray Garrett Hicks Jonathan Caicedo Dallas Graziani Paulie Stramaglia Achor Achor Grayson Walters Rylan Jones Thomas Kizer Owen LaRocca Brody Boyer Nathan Johnson Joshua Hughes Zach Loveday Riley Allenspach

POS G G G G F G G F/G G G F F G G G G F F F/C F/C

HT 6-5 6-2 6-5 6-3 6-6 6-5 6-0 6-7 5-8 5-11 6-9 6-5 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-4 6-7 6-5 7-0 6-11

WT 203 160 200 195 225 195 165 214 140 185 227 210 175 165 160 210 205 215 240 247

CL Fr. Fr. Sr. Gr. Sr. Jr. Gr. Fr. So. So. Jr. Sr. Gr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Gr. So. Sr. Fr.

Coaching and Support Staff

POSITION Head Coach: Associate Head Coach: Assistant Coaches:

Special Asst. To HC Director of Basketball Ops: Director of Internal Ops: Video Coordinator Asst. To Ops and Video Graduate Student Manager: Athletic Trainer: Strength & Conditioning:

NAME Bucky McMillan Mitch Cole Neb Exantus Danny Young Lorenzo Jenkins David Good Duane Reboul Warren Fitzpatrick Skip Wellborn Thomas Owen Andrew Barbour Stanley Henderson Brad Montgomery Trey Kilgore

HOMETOWN Knoxville, Tenn./Webb School of Knoxville Memphis, Tenn./Oak Hill Academy Brampton, Ontario, Canada/Florida Southwestern Athens, Ala./Auburn Brighton, Ala./Akron Delray Beach, Fla./West Oaks, Academy (Fla.) Madison, Ala./Alabama A&M Tampa, Fla./Hoover HS Pembroke Pines, Fla./Nova Southeastern Mountain Brook, Ala./Mountain Brook HS Melbourne, Australia/Chipola College Mountain Brook, Ala./Link Year Prep (Mo.) Logan, Utah/Utah State Memphis, Tenn./Evangelical Christian School Sugar Land, Texas/Fort Bend Christian Palm Bay, Fla./Eastern Florida State College Adel, Iowa/UMBC Woodstock, Ga./Etowah High School Gallipolis, Ohio/Baylor Charlotte, N.C./Providence Day School YR @ SU 4th 3rd 3rd 2nd 1st 4th 4th 3rd 4th 1st 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd

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Samford University Samford is a leading nationally ranked Christian university. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87tholdest institution of higher learning in the United States. Located in the Birmingham, Alabama suburb of Homewood, the university’s campus covers approximately 247 acres and is renowned for its beauty and Georgian-Colonial style architecture. The university currently enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries. Samford is regularly recognized as one of the best Christian universities in the United States, receiving high marks for academic quality and value. Samford offers undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts and a distinct blend of graduate and professional schools through 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford’s mission to nurture student development intellectually, ethically and spiritually is fostered through an array of opportunities, including 118 student organizations, global engagement in more than 14 different countries and nearly 300 courses that incorporate 6

community service. Among Samford’s 55,923 alumni have included more than 60 members of the U.S. Congress, eight state governors, two U.S. Supreme Court justices, one Secretary of State, four Rhodes Scholars, multiple Emmy and Grammy award-winning artists, two national championship football coaches, and recipients of the Pulitzer and Nobel Peace prizes. The university fields 17 varsity sports—eight men’s and nine women’s—that participate at the NCAA Division I level in the Southern Conference. Samford’s athletic teams earned a 98% Graduation Success Rate by the NCAA, ranking sixth among all Division I universities in the nation, along with an impressive group of peer institutions.

2023-24 BASKETBALL

Samford Distinctions • 97% of undergraduate alumni are working or in further study within six months of graduation (2022). • Samford is ranked 34th in the nation among private universities and 115th among all public, private and liberal arts colleges and universities analyzed for Kiplinger’s Personal Finance’s Best College Values list (2019). • Samford’s athletic teams earned a 98% Graduation Success Rate by the NCAA, ranking sixth among all Division I universities in the nation, along with an impressive group of peer institutions. • Samford is ranked 1st in Alabama and 32nd nationally by LendEdu in its list of best colleges for financial aid (2020). • Samford’s annual economic and fiscal impact on Alabama is $453.3 million, 2,635 jobs and $18.2 million in income and sales taxes, including more than $11.5 million in state tax revenues and nearly $6.7 million in local sales taxes (2021-22).

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Gifts received by our Bulldog Club Excelence Fund donors position Samford Athletics to recruit, retain and develop the very best student-athletes. Thanks to this support, Samford is producing graduates who are prepared to make a difference in the world.

2023-24 Bulldog Club Excellence Fund Donors All-Conference level and above

CHAMPION’S CIRCLE Daryl Byrd and Kara Van de Carr Bill and Kimeran Stevens Beth Thorne and Rick Stukes HERITAGE CIRCLE Anthony and Robbin Allen Roy Anderson Todd and Karen Carlisle Keith and Kelly Herron Bobby and Andrea Killingsworth Mark and Gwen Matthews Andrea and Jeremy Ryan Ronnie and Lynn Watkins The James I. Harrison Family Foundation PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE Bennie and Sonja Bumpers Brian and Nancy Coleman Tom and Teri D’Armond Tommy and Charolette Hamby David and Julie Jenkins Ron and Cindy Mims

Rickie and MaryAnn Moon Michael Robinson John and Delita Wyatt ATHLETIC DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE Bob and Gerri Austin Lynn and Kendall Boggs Wes and Jordan Caudell Drew and Julie Cundiff Steve and Suzanne Davidson Tim Francis Tim and Anita Haywood Betsy and Jimmy Holloway Bruce and Mary Virginia Hoven Jim and Alison Karrh Brett and Kristie Taylor Charlie and Lisa Venable Drew and Pam Yantis

2023-24 BASKETBALL ALL-AMERICAN Scott and Kim Andersen Chuck and Lydia Andrews Steve and Janet Ball Taylor and Amy Beattie John and Susan Carroll Beau and Rachel Green Martin and Cindy Newton Stephen and Kathy Peeples Greg and Peggy Powell Josh and Andrea Rhodes Jim and Doris Ridgeway Peter and Margaret Ann Selman Joy and Don Thomas Howard Walthall & Rosemary Fisk Stanley Woodall ALL-CONFERENCE Ryan and Jennifer Aday Jim and Cindy Anderson Scott and Laurie Applefield Tim and Cindy Bembry Whit and Alison Bishop Chris and Barbara Blackerby Ken Bluestein Quentin and Julie Brown Janet and Scott Brown Frank and Marti Buck Mike and Ginger Burkett Hilary and James Case David and Valerie Clark Michael and Kathy Clay Mike and Jan Cobb Tom and Debbie Collins Nathan and Kristen Collums

Steve and Krista Dillard Kent and Margaret Ellington Gary and Alta Faye Fenton John and Marsha Floyd Laura and Patrick Foshee Jim and Sherri Foyt Randy and Tammi Frazier Dick and Donna Gardner Joe Goode Corey and Rohaun Green Adam and Debbee Hancock Pearlie and LaShawnda Harris Clayton and Teresa Hemphill Lee and Leigh Henderson Nate and Tonya Henry Brad and Natalie Hiers Jerry and Harriette Hyche Jimmy and Donna Jackson John and Peggy Jones Craig and Amy Kirby Bill and Laura Kugelberg Hal and Cindy Langston David and Edith Lyon Lyn Marcum Malcolm and Betty Miller Jon and Greer Mills Charles Neese and Eve Annunziato Vic and Janis Nichol Eddie and Betty Oliver Dixie and David Owens Randy and Daina Pittman Jeff and Stephanie Prior Allison and Austin Pugmire Karen and Alan Register

Al and Stella Ringer Jean and Darin Roberson Lew and Mandy Sample Rick and Barbara Schultz Gil and Leigh Simmons Todd and Jodi Skaggs Lynn and Bennett Smith Jimmy and Patsy Smithey Bob and Pat Terry Andy and Jan Thrower Ryan and Kandi Waddles Andrea and Tom Weathington Vicki and John Wilcox Doug and Anita Wilson David and Tabby Winchester

Interested in Learning More? Visit SamfordBulldogClub.com

Elevate your career with a graduate degree from ?????

Samford University’s Brock School of Business.

Master of Accountancy Master of Business Administration

Application Deadlines: Spring: Dec. 1 • Summer: May 1 • Fall: July 1

Entry exam waived for applicants with a 3.0 undergraduate GPA.

Samford University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Employer.

2023-24 BASKETBALL

Beck A. Taylor President

Dr. Beck A. Taylor began his tenure as the 19th president of Samford University in July 2021. Taylor, who served as dean and professor of economics for Samford’s Brock School of Business from 2005-2010, returned to Samford after serving as the 18th president of Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, from 2010-2021. After earning his undergraduate degree from Baylor with majors in economics and finance, Taylor was employed as an analyst for Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) in Houston, Texas. He went on to earn his M.S. and Ph.D. in economics from Purdue University. Shortly thereafter, he returned to Baylor as associate dean for research and faculty development for the Hankamer School of Business, and was named the first holder of the W.H. Smith Professorship in Economics. In 2002, he was appointed as a visiting scholar by Harvard University where he spent one year in residence at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. As dean of Samford’s Brock School of Business, Taylor led the rapid transformation of the business school, including its renaming to honor Harry B. Brock, Jr., founder of Compass Bank. Taylor led the Brock School of Business to establish eight new academic programs, as well as the school’s new honors program. The school’s

entrepreneurship program was recognized in 2010 as the nation’s top emerging program by the U.S. Association for Small Business & Entrepreneurship. In an effort to build bridges between students and the Birmingham business community, Taylor established the Samford Business Network, as well as a 45-member advisory board of the region’s top business leaders. As a scholar, Taylor has published dozens of studies in economics journals such as Review of Economics and Statistics, Journal of Labor Economics, Journal of Human Resources and Journal of Money, Credit, and Banking. Illustrating his diverse research interests and his connections to the social sciences, Taylor has also published groundbreaking research in public health and child developmental psychology. His research has been cited in testimony given before the U.S. Congress, the Federal Trade Commission, and the California State Assembly, and also has been referenced in publications such as The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and The Christian Science Monitor. Taylor is a member of numerous professional and academic organizations, and he has served as a strategic business consultant for dozens of organizations. He and his wife, Julie, have three children.

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COURTSIDE STYLE ?????

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Martin Newton, Director of Athletics Samford University alumnus and director of athletics Martin Newton has transformed the Bulldogs into one of the Southern Conference’s most successful programs since taking the helm of the department on March 9, 2011. Last year, Newton recently signed a five-year contract extension that began on July 1, 2022. Newton has made an impact nationally in his time at Samford as he will begin a five-year appointment to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee on Sept. 1. Additionally, he currently serves on the NCAA Division I Council and the Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee. He was also recently appointed to the NCAA Council Coordination Committee (CCC). On the fields and courts, the Bulldogs have captured 69 Southern Conference regular season and tournament championships during his tenure, including a school record 11 championships in 2022-23. Additionally, in the most recent Southern Conference All-Sports standings Samford won both the Germann Cup (top women’s program) and the Commissioner’s Cup (top men’s program), marking the first time any school has swept the awards since Appalachian State in the 2012-13 academic year. Academically, the school’s student-athletes have also posted outstanding results in the classroom, with 2,175 Bulldogs being named to the SoCon Academic Honor Roll. Samford’s student-athletes posted an impressive 97 percent in the most recent NCAA’s Graduation Success Rate (GSR) report, the highest mark in the SoCon and in the state of Alabama. Over the last 12 years, the Athletics Department has seen significant growth in corporate partnerships and annual giving, more than doubling philanthropic gifts and sponsorship revenues. Facility enhancements have also been a hallmark of Newton’s tenure with the Bulldogs. Samford has opened a new soccer and track stadium as well as a new softball stadium, indoor hitting facility for the baseball and softball programs and an indoor practice

facility for men’s and women’s golf. A new academic center was recently built in Bashinsky Field House. Additionally, state-of-the-art video boards have been added to the Pete Hanna Center (men’s and women’s basketball/volleyball), Seibert Stadium (football), Joe Lee Griffin Field (baseball) and in Shauna Yelton Field at the Cameron Bean Track (soccer/track and field). The football video board was a part of Phase I of the Seibert Stadium project, which was completed in August 2019 and was 100 percent donor funded. Phase II, which was completed prior to the 2021 season, included a complete renovation of the Bashinsky Press Tower, new premium seating on the west side of the stadium and renovations to the east side Gate House. In the spring of 2017, a goal of Newton’s was realized when the inaugural class of the Samford Athletics Hall of Fame was inducted. He has also negotiated an exclusive universitywide footwear and apparel deal with Nike, helped lead the way on a university-wide licensing agreement with the Licensing Resource Group and successfully transformed the antiquated radio network into an industry leader in campus-led broadcast production with all Samford home athletic events airing on ESPN3 or ESPN+. Newton started the Samford Strong Leadership Academy in 2014. The academy is a program jointly developed between the Athletics Department and the Frances Marlin Mann Center for Ethics and Leadership. Its mission is to bring successful athletes to campus to share their personal stories and the importance of faith and character to success in all areas of life for Samford’s student-athletes. Following his 1983 graduation from Samford, he worked in sports marketing for Converse for 13 years. Newton then spent 13 years in a similar capacity at Nike. Prior to his return to Samford, Newton was hired at the University of Kentucky in 2009, where he managed the budget, fund-raising, compliance, scheduling, marketing and academic support for the men’s basketball program. Newton and his wife, Cindy, have three grown children, Katie, Madison and Charles. They also have two grandsons, Charlie and Sawyer.

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Head Men’s Basketball Coach Bucky McMillan Bucky McMillan enters his fourth season as head coach of the Samford University Men’s Basketball team. McMillan was named Samford’s 29th head men’s basketball coach April 6, 2020. The Bulldogs reached new heights under McMillan in year three, clinching their first Southern Conference Championship since joining the league in 2008 with a 15-3 conference record that earned them a share of the regular-season crown. For the first time in program history, the Bulldogs achieved 20 regular-season wins in consecutive seasons while also matching the 1998-99 team for most conference wins in a season. It marked just the fourth time in program history that the Bulldogs won 20 games in a season. McMillan earned SoCon Sports Media Association Anton Foy Coach of the Year for the second-straight year, while Logan Dye, Ques Glover, and Jermaine Marshall all garnered All-SoCon postseason accolades. Samford posted a record of 13-3 at home, including a mark of 8-1 in league play. The Bulldogs averaged 81.4 points per game and posted a +12.7 scoring margin in games played in the Pete Hanna Center. The Bulldogs opened up SoCon play 8-0, highlighted by nationally-televised home wins over Mercer (Dec. 28) and Chattanooga (Jan. 14) on ESPNU. The Bulldogs won seven of their last eight games of the regular season to finish tied with Furman at 15-3 in league play to earn the No. 2 seed in the SoCon Postseason Tournament. Statistically, the Bulldogs made the second-most free throws per game (17.7) while averaging the fifth-most free throw attempts (23.6) in the nation. The Bulldogs ranked 28th in the nation in scoring offense (78.7 PPG) while ranking 20th in the country in bench 14

points per game (26.53). Year two under McMillan in 2021-22 served as one of the Bulldogs’ most successful seasons in recent history. For the first time since the 1998-99 campaign, Samford men’s hoops tallied 20 regular-season wins. McMillan’s squad added 15 wins from the previous season, finishing 21-11. The Bulldogs posted a 10-8 mark in conference play, earning them the no. 3 seed in the SoCon Championship before eventually falling in the tournament semifinals. McMillan was named the SoCon Sports Media Association Coach of the Year while sophomore guard Ques Glover earned All-SoCon First Team honors. Glover, who ranked third in the SoCon in scoring average (19.2 PPG) and second in assists per game (4.4) in 2021-22, was also named to the SoCon All-Tournament First Team and a finalist for the Lou Henson Award. The Bulldogs notched a pair of road wins at power-five opponents, knocking off Oregon State 78-77 on Nov. 18 and besting Ole Miss 75-73 on Dec. 21. The Bulldogs drew two of their largest home attendances in recent years in 2021-22, totaling 2,876 attendees against Belmont on Dec. 5 and 2,512 against Furman on Feb. 23. McMillan was named a finalist for the Hugh Durham Award on March 23, an accolade awarded annually to the top Division I mid-major coach in college basketball. In his first season at Samford, the Bulldogs started the season 5-3 before injuries and COVID-19 setbacks slowed their progress. When the final horn sounded on the season, Samford went 6-13 overall and 2-9 in SoCon play. “BuckyBall” had an immediate impact on the program, averaging 76.8 points per game, ranking fourth overall in the prestigious Southern Conference. Samford scored a school record 133 points in a blowout win over Belhaven (133-84) on Dec. 21, 2020. In an early season exhibition, the Bulldogs defeated Greenville 174-99 in a game that drew national attention from Sports Illustrated, ESPN and Fox Sports.

2023-24 BASKETBALL finished the year ranked No. 5 nationally by USA Today. McMillan’s teams were ranked No. 1 in the AHSAA state rankings during each season from 2013 to 2020. McMillan was named USA Today’s Alabama Coach of the Year in 2019; Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Coach of the Year in 2013, 2014 and 2015; Birmingham Tip-Off Club State Coach of the Year in 2012, 2015 and 2019; and Over The Mountain Coach of the Year in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019. He was selected to coach the Alabama All-Stars in the 2019 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game. That same year, he was named one of the coaches of Michael Jordan’s “Jordan Brand” All-Star Classic. During his 12-year run in charge of the Spartans’ program, McMillan won 333 games, averaging nearly 28 wins per season. After posting an 18-12 record in his first season as head coach, McMillan’s teams won at least 23 games in each of the next 11 seasons. Individually, freshman sensation A.J. In addition to his work at Mountain Brook High Staton-McCray shined in coach McMillan’s system. School, McMillan founded the Bucky Ball Academy, The 6-5 guard from Charlotte, N.C., was named to a youth camp to enhance and unify basketball in the 2020-21 Southern Conference All-Freshman the Mountain Brook community. He also founded Team after averaging 10.0 points, 4.5 rebounds the Alabama Flyers program that provides and 1.7 steals per game. His 30 steals led the off-season basketball opportunities for the Bulldogs and ranked second in the SoCon. He also community’s youth. finished the year ranked 30th in the league in McMillan played his college basketball at points per game. Birmingham-Southern College from 2002 to 2006, McMillan claimed his first collegiate victory where he was named to the Big South Conference on Dec. 1, 2020 versus Covenant College, 98-73, Academic Honor Roll all four seasons, and to the and his first SoCon win came against VMI, 84-71, league’s All-Academic team as a senior. He also on Dec. 30, 2020 in the Pete Hanna Center. earned the distinction of being named to the McMillan came to Samford after serving as National Association of Basketball Coaches Honor’s the head coach at Mountain Brook High School for Court. McMillan earned his bachelor’s degree in the past 12 seasons. McMillan has led the program education services from Birmingham-Southern in to unprecedented success, reaching the state finals 2007. in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, While a student at Mountain Brook High and the team won the title in the state’s highest School from 1999 to 2002, McMillan received classification in 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2019. All-State honors from the Birmingham News in In 2020, the Mountain Brook program was 2002 and was nominated for the McDonald’s High ranked 13th in the list of top 25 public high school School All-America team. The Birmingham News basketball programs in the United States over the also named him to its All-State Athletic Academic last decade. In 2018, the National High School team. Coaches Association named McMillan its National Coach of the Year after his team finished the season with a 34-3 record and ranked No. 17 in the USA Today national rankings. His 2019 team 15

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Mitch Cole ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH

Coaching veteran Mitch Cole enters his third season as the associate head coach for Samford men’s basketball. Cole came to Samford after serving as the head coach at Berry College for three seasons. In his time at Berry, Cole posted a record of 51-17. In the 2020-21 season, Cole led the Vikings to both the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Regular Season and Tournament titles. For his efforts, Cole was named 2021 SAA Coach of the Year. The 2021 Vikings also broke onto the national scene, finishing the season ranked No. 11 in the last NCAA Division III poll. Cole came to Berry after serving two seasons as an assistant coach at the Arkansas-Little Rock. He spent the previous five seasons on the staff at Texas A&M and was formerly the head coach at Birmingham-Southern. Cole came to A&M after one of the most successful seasons in Birmingham-Southern men’s basketball history, leading the Panthers to a 23-4 overall record in 2010-11 and winning the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Championship with a 14-2 conference mark. Cole spent 11 seasons as an assistant coach at BSC under then head coach Duane Reboul, who is currently on Samford’s staff. Cole played collegiately at Montana State University-Billings, where he double majored in history and education and graduated in 1992. Cole went on to earn his master’s in education from Auburn while working as a graduate assistant with the basketball team. Cole and his wife, Amy, have three children: daughter Laura Kate and sons Carson and Joshua.

Neb Exantus AD ASSISTANT HEAD COACH

Neb Exantus enters his fourth season at Samford and his third year as a full-time assistant coach. Prior to being promoted to a full-time assistant coach, Exantus served on the coaching staff in a graduate assistant role for the Samford men’s basketball team under Coach Bucky McMillan. Prior to Samford, Exantus was an assistant coach at Southern New Hampshire University, (Alma Mater, 2017) where he was able to help produce one of SNHU’s best recruiting classes with the direction of Former Joe B. Hall National Coach of the Year Jack Perri. Before SNHU, Exantus was key in the development of close to 20 Division I players in his tenure at West Oaks Academy including standouts that went on to play in the Big 12 and SEC. Throughout his career, he’s worked with countless professional athletes including Anfernee Simons and John Mooney through his training company, Nexlevel Basketball based out of New England. Exantus also works with the Haitian National Team during the summer. Exantus is a 2017 graduate of Southern New Hampshire University.

2023-24 BASKETBALL

A concussion is nothing to play with. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury and should be taken seriously. Although fewer than 10% of concussions involve a loss of consciousness, it is important to understand the dangers and not take them lightly. Even a minor fall or collision may be of concern, so be alert to symptoms such as headaches, unsteadiness, confusion or other types of abnormal behavior. Any athlete with a suspected concussion should be removed from play, evaluated by a doctor, monitored and not left alone.

To make an appointment, please call 205-934-1041.

ChildrensAL.org/Concussion 17

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Danny Young ASSISTANT COACH

Danny Young begins his second season as an assistant coach on the Samford men’s basketball staff. Young came to Samford after spending 19 seasons as the head coach at the University of Montevallo. In his 19 seasons at Montevallo, Young posted a record of 372-209, and he has a mark of 433-220 in 21 seasons as a college head coach. In Young’s 21 seasons as a head coach, his teams advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen 10 times, including one trip to the NCAA Division II championship game. Young was named the Gulf South Conference East Division Coach of the Decade for 2000-2010. Prior to UM, Young was Athletic Director and head men’s basketball coach at Salem International in Salem, West Virginia, posting a 51-11 (.823) record in two seasons as head coach. Young’s team also won the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship and went to the NCAA East Regional, finishing with a 25-6 record overall in 2002-03. Prior to SIU, Young served as an assistant at Wheeling Jesuit University from 1994-96 and spent a season as an assistant at Nebraska-Omaha. Young’s first coaching job came when he returned to his alma mater, Grand Canyon. Young earned his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Grand Canyon University in 1990.

Lorenzo Jenkins ASSISTANT COACH

Lorenzo Jenkins enters his first season as an assistant coach on the Samford men’s basketball team. Jenkins came to Samford from New Mexico State where he was a special assistant to the head coach in 2022-23. Prior to New Mexico State, Jenkins was at Northwest Florida State in Niceville, Fla., where he served in 2021-22 and helped lead the team to a Junuor College national title. From 2017-21, Jenkins coached at Potters House Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Fla. During his time at Potters House, 13 of his players signed with Division I schools, and they attained a top-25 ranking. The teams also qualified for the SIAA Playoffs in three of his four seasons. Jenkins coached at I Family in Orlando, Fla., from 2016-22. He coached a McDonald’s All-American and Jordan Brand Classic All-American, while also having 20 players sign with Division I schools. From 2015-17, Jenkins worked in player development overseas in Szekesfehervar, Hungary (2015-16) and Santiago del Estro, Argentina(2016-17). From 2010-15, he worked with Showtime Ballers in Orlando, Fla., including serving as the head coach from 2013-15. There, he had 20 players from his teams sign with Division I teams. Also with the Showtime Ballers, he coached a McDonald’s All-American and Jordan Brand Classic All-American.

2023-24 BASKETBALL

Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Alabaster & Greystone @ 280

6.61” x 4.65”

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David Good ASSISTANT COACH

David Good enters his fourth season on the staff at Samford and his first as an assistant coach. For the previous three seasons, Good served as the director of player development and scouting. Good came to Samford after serving as an assistant coach on McMillan’s staff at Mountain Brook High School since 2015. He helped lead the Spartans to three 7A state titles (2019, 2018, 2017), one 7A runner-up (2020), and an overall record of 152-22. During his time at Mountain Brook, the Spartans eclipsed the 30-win mark four times including a 34-3 record in 2018 while ranking No. 17 in the USA Today national rankings and a 31-3 record in 2019 while ranking No. 5 in the USA Today national rankings. Prior to his time at Mountain Brook, Good taught physical education and coached basketball at Thompson High School and Thompson Middle School from 2012-2015. From 2007 to 2012, Good was a video coordinator at UAB where he assisted in four straight 20-win seasons, a CUSA Conference Championship in 2011, four post-season appearances (NCAA-2011; NIT-2010, 2009, 2008) and a 107-57 overall record. Good also served as a Graduate Assistant at Eastern Michigan University from 2005-2007. Good began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Shepherd High School in Michigan from 2004 to 2005, helping lead the team to a 19-2 record and a conference title. Good earned a Master of Science in Education from UAB (2012), Master of Science in Sports Management from Eastern Michigan University (2010) and a Bachelor of Science in Sports Studies from Central Michigan University (2004). Good and his wife, Lucy, a Samford graduate, have two daughters, Addie Mae and Evie Kate.

Duane Reboul ASSISTANT TO THE HEAD COACH Basketball coaching legend Duane Reboul enters his fourth season on the Samford staff. He serves as a special assistant to the head coach. Reboul was one of the top basketball coaches in the nation during his 17 seasons as the head coach at Birmingham-Southern, where he was head coach Bucky McMillan’s head coach. He led his teams to two NAIA National Championships, three NAIA Final 4 appearances and four NAIA Elite Eight runs. He was named the 1995 National Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Reboul earned Southern States Conference Coach of the Year honors in 1990, 1993 and 1995. He was named State of Alabama Coach of the Year in 1990 and 1997, and the TranSouth Conference Division Coach of the Year in 1998. He led the program through its transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division I, earning Big South Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2004 and 2006, and his 2004 team won the Big South Conference title. In his time as the Panthers’ head coach, Reboul won 402 games, averaging nearly 24 wins per season. His teams posted an impressive nine consecutive 20-win seasons. Reboul began his coaching career as the head coach at his alma mater, De La Salle High School in New Orleans, leading the school to the 1976 state title. He then served six seasons as the head coach at Jesuit High School before moving to the college ranks as an assistant coach at New Orleans and Mississippi State before being hired as the head coach at BSC. He graduated from the University of New Orleans in 1972 after captaining the basketball team to a No. 1 small college national ranking. 20

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Warren Fitzpatrick

DIRECTOR OF BASKETBALL OPERATIONS Warren Fitzpatrick enters his second season as the Director of Basketball Operations for Samford Men’s Basketball in 2022-23. Prior to his current role, Fitzpatrick served as a graduate assistant under Coach McMillan in 2021-22. Before his time working with the men’s basketball program, Fitzpatrick was a four-year letter winner for the Samford Men’s Track and Field Team. He was a part of three SoCon Championship squads and holds the record for the fastest indoor and outdoor 1600M (4x400M) relay times. Fitzpatrick earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Samford in 2021, with a concentration in Sports Marketing. An alumnus of Mountain Brook High School, Fitzpatrick played varsity basketball for Coach McMillan at Mountain Brook before his arrival at Samford.

Support Staff AD

Skip Wellborn

Director of Internal Operations

Brad Montgomery Athletic Trainer

Thomas Owen Video Coordinator

Trey Kilgore

Strength and Conditioning Coach

Andrew Barbour Assistant to Ops and Video

Stanley Henderson Graduate Student Manager

2023-24 BASKETBALL

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2023-24 BASKETBALL

Q&A with

Rylan Jones By Kyya Smith

In each game program we will highlight two seniors or graduate students on the team. This latest Q&A is with Rylan Jones Q: When did you start playing basketball? A: “I started playing basketball when I was four years old.” Q: Favorite Samford memory? A: “Meeting all my teammates when I first arrived this summer.” Q: Favorite basketball player? A: “My favorite basketball player is Kobe Bryant.” Q: Favorite Samford jersey color? A: “Mt favorite jersey color is red.” Q: Who is your hero? A: My hero is my dad.”

Q: What is your all-time favorite food? A: “French Fries.” Q: Favorite bible verse? A: “Jeremiah 29:11.” Q: What’s the first thing you do in the morning? A: “Go to the bathroom.” Q: What’s on the top of your bucket list? A: “Go on a foreign golf trip.” Q: Favorite song of all-time? A: “Don’t Stop Believing.” Q: What brings you the most joy? A: “Seeing loved ones succeed.” Q: What would your super power be? A: “My super power would be speed.”

Q: What three words would you use to describe yourself? A: : Kind, loving and fun.” Q: What’s your dream career? A: “Becoming a basketball coach.” Q: What is your major? A: “I am in the Sports MBA Program.”

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Q&A with

Grayson Walters By Kyya Smith

In each game program we will highlight two seniors or graduate students on the team. This latest Q&A is with Grayson Walters. Q: When did you start playing basketball? A: “I played basketball for fun my entire life but didn’t start playing organized basketball until my junior year of high school.”

Q: What is your all-time favorite food? A: “My favorite food in surf and turf.” Q: Favorite bible verse? A: “Colossians 3:23.”

Q: Favorite Samford memory? A: “The Furman game my sophomore year, we had a huge student section.”

Q: What’s the first thing you do in the morning? A: “Read the bible.”

Q: Favorite basketball player? A: “My favorite basketball player is Michael Jordan.”

Q: What’s on the top of your bucket list? A: “To visit Rio De Janeiro.”

Q: Favorite Samford jersey color? A: “My favorite jerseys are the Navy ones.” Q: Who is your hero? A: “Mt hero is my dad.” Q: What three words would you use to describe yourself? A: “Smart, funny and good looking.” Q: What’s your dream career? A: “To own a sports facility for pro athletes across the world to train at.”

Q: What is your major? A: “My major is health science.”

Q: Favorite song of all-time? A: “My favorite song is Hotel California.” Q: What brings you the most joy? A: “Spending time with family and friends.” Q: What would your super power be? A: “My super power would be flying.”

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2023-24 PLAYERS

Lukas Walls Fr. Guard

Josh Holloway Fr. Guard

Chandler Leopard Gr. Guard

Jermaine Marshall Sr. Forward

Jonathan Caicedo Fr. Forward/Guard

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Garrett Hicks Gr. Guard

Jaden Campbell Sr. Guard

A.J. Staton-McCray Jr. Guard

Dallas Graziani So. Guard

2023-24 BASKETBALL

Paulie Stramaglia So. Guard

Rylan Jones Gr. Guard

Brody Boyer Sr. Guard

Achor Achor Jr. Forward

Grayson Walters Sr. Forward

Thomas Kizer Fr. Guard

Nathan Johnson Gr. Forward

Owen LaRocca Jr. Guard

Joshua Hughes So. Forward

CONNECT SAMFORD_SPORTS

Zach Loveday Sr. Forward/Center

Riley Allenspach Fr. Forward/Center

Check samfordsports.com for game times. 29

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