ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Cornell men's basketball team and head coach Bill Courtney have announced that six incoming freshmen will join the Big Red family and make up the Class of 2015. Guards Galal Cancer and Devin Cherry, forwards Shonn Miller and Nenad Tomic and post players Deion Giddens and Dave LaMore will join four returning starters and 11 returning letter winners out to bring home Cornell's fourth Ivy League title in the last five seasons in the upcoming 2011-12 campaign.
"I'm excited about the potential of this class," said Bill Courtney, the Robert E. Gallagher '44 Head Coach of Cornell Basketball. "My staff and I are excited to start working with these young men and helping them direct their energy toward winning championships. With the improvement of the Ivy League over the last few years and the addition of these young men, along with the returners, we have a great foundation for the next few years."
Galal Cancer
Fr. * G * 6-2 * 175 * Albany, N.Y. (Christian Brothers Academy)
Cancer was a two-time all-state selection at Christian Brothers Academy. Cancer was the Albany Times Union and Troy Record area Player of the Year as a senior after averaging 13.0 points and 7.5 rebounds as a senior while shooting better than 85 percent from the free-throw line. He was the team's starting point guard on three sectional-title winning teams, two regional championship squads and a state championship squad (junior year). The conference player of the year as in 2011, he was named to the New Channel 13 all-star team in his final two seasons, including being named Player of the Year as a senior. As a junior, Cancer averaged 11.2 points and 7.6 rebounds in helping CBA to a state crown. He was named to the section all-tournament team as a junior and was named MVP of the tourney in his final season. He was ranked among the top 150 high school players in the country at his position as a senior by ESPN.com.
Courtney on Galal Cancer
"Galal is a winner and a natural leader. We think he has a chance to be a special player here. We feel like he is one of the top incoming point guards in the country."
Devin Cherry
Fr. * G * 6-3, 170 * Meridian, Miss. (Meridian HS)
Cherry was part of a state championship team as a senior at Meridian HS and was named the state's Scholar-Athlete of the Year award. Cherry had 15 points in the state championship game. Cherry averaged 11.6 points per game as a junior behind national top 25 recruit Rodney Hood (Mississippi State) en route to honorable mention all-state honors by the Clarion Ledger. He was a two-star prospect by scouting service Scout.com and was rated the No. 32 overall prospect by Hoop Scoop online prior to his senior year. His team was ranked among the top 30 nationally throughout his senior season by numerous high school basketball rankings.
Courtney on Devin Cherry
"Devin is a scorer and has the potential to grow into a terrific player in this league. He is also used to success, as he won the state championship in his senior year."
Deion Giddens
Fr. * F/C * 6-9 * 185 * Bitburg, Germany (Willow Canyon (Ariz.) HS)
A McDonald's High School All-America nominee as a senior at Willow Canyon HS, Giddens was a first-team all-region and all-league pick. Giddens averaged 11.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.2 blocked shots per contest during his senior season. He was an honorable mention all-region pick as a junior after posting 8.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per contest. While living in Germany during his junior year, Giddens was named team MVP and Offensive Player of the Year and was first-team all-region and second-team All-Europe.
Courtney on Deion Giddens
"Deion is a very long and athletic post player. He runs the floor exceptionally well and has great timing when blocking shots. With added strength and development he could be a special player."
Dave LaMore
Fr. * F/C * 6-9 * 230 * Whitmore Lake, Mich. (Dexter HS)
LaMore was a two-time first-team and three-time all-league member at Dexter HS. He averaged 14.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 49 percent from the floor and 75 percent from the free-throw line as a senior. LaMore was named to the AnnArbor.com Dream Team member in his final season and was a first-team selection as a junior by the same website. An all-state pick as a senior, he earned the team's Defensive Player of the Year in 2011. As a freshman, LaMore was named the team's most improved player. He also was given a Dexter Scholar-Athlete and all-league Scholar-Athlete award in each of his four seasons. LaMore averaged 11.0 points and 6.0 rebounds as a junior.
Courtney on Dave LaMore
"Dave is a skilled frontcourt player, who rebounds well. He proved to be very efficient with touches in high school, and we think he will do the same here at Cornell."
Shonn Miller
Fr. * F * 6-7 * 200 * Euclid, Ohio (St. Ignatius HS)
Miller was an all-district and honorable mention all-state pick as a senior at St. Ignatius HS. Despite missing time due to injury as a senior, Miller still averaged 15.1 points. As a junior, Miller averaged 13.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in leading his team to a district title. He shot 63 percent from the field and 86 percent from the free-throw line. Hoop Scoop online named Miller one of the top 20 players in Ohio prior to his senior year. Miller was an academic all-star as both a junior and senior. He played for the LeBron James' sponsored King James Shooting Stars AAU team.
Courtney on Shonn Miller
"Shonn will be one of the most athletic players ever at Cornell. He also has a growing skill set, and his potential is limitless."
Nenad (Ned) Tomic
Fr. * F * 6-7 * 250 * North Royalton, Ohio (North Royalton HS)
Tomic was named league MVP as a senior at North Royalton HS and was named honorable mention all-state. He averaged 22.3 point and 12.3 rebounds as a senior after posting 22.0 points and 11.6 rebounds a night as a junior. A two-time all-district pick, Tomic was part of a division and sectional title-winning team during his junior year. He was named to the academic All-Ohio team as both a junior and senior.
Courtney on Nenad (Ned) Tomic
"Ned is a very productive frontcourt player. For two years he put up terrific scoring and rebounding numbers. He has a solid post game to go along with his mid-range jump shot."
