JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University men's basketball has added seven players for the 2013-14 season, making this one of the largest including classes in program history. Felipe Rocha (Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil), Ashanti Day (Snellville, Ga.), DJ Johnson (Memphis, Tenn.), BJ Jarnagin (Brentwood, Tenn.), Caleb Pitman (Las Vegas, Nev.), Zach Phillips (Pinson, Tenn.), and Elijah Fletcher (Webster, N.Y.) will join the squad this year in their first seasons at Union.
Union head coach David Niven says, "We are excited about what is possibly one of the largest classes in Union basketball history. Ashanti is a very talented freshman that will pose matchup problems for teams with smaller guards. He can score from just about anywhere on the floor. Felipe is one of the better shooters on our team and will help immediately with our frontcourt. BJ is a guard with some size that can really shoot it. Elijah and Caleb bring good size to their positions. DJ and Zach will provide additional depth for us at the guard spots."
Day, a 6-foot-5 freshman guard, prepped at Flora Macdonald (N.C.) Academy where he played four seasons of basketball. He helped lead his team to the 2012 North Carolina State Title. Day scored 18 points in a game versus the nation's top ranked high school team, Oak Hill Academy. He is the son of Ricky Day and Michelle Downey.
Fletcher, a 6-foot-8 freshman forward, prepped at Webster Christian (N.Y.) School where he played basketball for four seasons. He was named MVP and was selected to the all-star team both as a junior and senior. Fletcher averaged 18 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks during his final two years of high school. Off the court, Fletcher was a member of the honor roll. He is the son of Matthew and Ruthie Fletcher.
Jarnagin, a 6-foot-3 freshman guard, prepped at Brentwood (Tenn.) High School where he played basketball and hockey. Off the court, he was a member of Mu Alpha Theta. He is the son of Patty and Barry Jarnagin.
Johnson, a 6-foot freshman guard, prepped at Arlington (Tenn.) High School where he played basketball. Off the court, he was a member of the honor roll and graduated in the top 100 of his senior class.
Phillips, a 6-foot freshman, guard, prepped at Chester County (Tenn.) High School where he played four seasons of basketball and baseball. He was named Freshman of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, and all-district. Phillips posted a career high of 33 points in a game. Off the court, he was a member of the National Honors Society, Beta Club, and graduated top-10 percent of his senior class. Phillips is the son of Marty and Gaye Phillips.
Pitman, a 6-foot-6 freshman forward, prepped at Lake Mead Christian Academy (Nevada) where he played four years of basketball and one season of baseball. He was named first team all-league as a senior, second team all-league as a junior, and was named Holiday Classic All-Tournament. Pitman averaged 10 points and 10 rebounds per game as a senior, with his career high coming in a 24 point, 17 rebound game. Off the court, Pitman was a high honor roll student. He is the son of Vance and Kristie Pitman.
Rocha, a 6-foot-8 freshman forward, prepped at Life Center Academy where he played three seasons of basketball. He spent his freshman season at the IMG Academy. Rocha was named Most Improved as a junior, Most Offensive Player as a senior, and was named to the all-star game of the Penn Jersey League. Rocha averaged nine points and nine rebounds per game. Off the court, Rocha was a member of the National Honors Society and spent 98 hours of volunteer work during his senior year. He is the son of Marion and Marines Rocha.
Union opens their season, Monday, November 11 at home versus Champion Baptist (Ark.) at 7:00 p.m. Union's Gulf South Conference opener is at home, Saturday, December 14 versus North Alabama at 4:00 p.m.
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