Here is a look at the SLU class.
Ladner is super excited about the recruiting class that he brought in: a few tidbits from lionsports.net
Jeremiah Saunders"Because of coach
David Kiefer's work and effort, we were able to beat out much larger offers," Ladner said. "He's a high-level recruit that has a chance to be one of the best players in Southeastern history."
Tyron BrewerTyron Brewer, a member of the Mississippi Dandy Dozen and a three-star recruit (Scout), begins his college career at Southeastern after graduating from Meridian High School in Meridian, Mississippi.
"He's certainly one of our most high-profile signees," Ladner said. "I've got to give coach
Kyle Roane the credit, targeting Ty early on and building a strong relationship. He's long, athletic and bouncy, and will make an immediate impact. He'll have a great career here at Southeastern."
Pape DiopPape Diop, a Senegal native, comes to Southeastern by way of Chipola College. As a freshman, the 6-foot-8 forward averaged 7.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He shot better than 50 percent from the floor and was an 84 percent free-throw shooter.
"He's long and can really shoot the basketball," Ladner said. "Coming from one of the nation's top junior college programs, he'll still have three years left. It's the best of both worlds, a young man that already has college basketball experience at the highest level in junior college. He'll be able to assimilate faster to the Division I game."
Willie LapooleWillie Lapoole was an All-State performer at Ouachita Parish High School this past season, averaging 17 points, eight rebounds and three blocks as a senior.
"He's another long player at 6-foot-8 and fits our style of play," Ladner said. "I saw him play last year and love the progress he's made as well as his potential. He has the ability to shoot the ball and can make an immediate impact for us."
Thoughts about the class in general, 4 of which are high schoolers.
"Anytime you can get a high school player to come in, where we have a chance to build over the course of time, you can see the positive effects of us doing that with our program," Ladner said. "The fact we have a number of returners also affords us the time to develop those guys. We love the fact we can still go get a junior college guy, but our high school guys are certainly talented enough they'll be competing for playing time immediately. We're very excited about this class."
"This is the strongest class, on paper, that we've ever brought in," Ladner said. "We're really excited about that. Some guys adjust quicker to Division I than others, but we'll have most of our guys here for the summer."