The University of Southern Indiana men’s basketball team announced the addition of four players to the roster for 2018-19. The Screaming Eagles have signed six-foot-five junior guard Kobe Caldwell (Bowling Green, Kentucky), six-foot-seven junior forward/center Hugues Mbumba (Lubumbashi, Congo), five-foot-seven junior guard Braden Fitzjerrells (Mt. Vernon, Illinois), and six-foot-six freshman guard/forward Glen Rouch (Boonville, Indiana).
Caldwell is a transfer from the University of Utah where he started four of 27 games and averaged 11.3 minutes per game for the Utes. He had a season-high nine points versus Oregon State University after sinking a trio of three-point field goals.
“We are excited to add another perimeter shooter that can score and guard multiple positions on defense,” said USI Head Coach Rodney Watson. “Kobe is a strong and versatile guard that gives us the ability to attack from four angles. He has played against the top competition in the country and will be a lead guard that pushes the ball with length and vision.”
Prior to playing for Utah, Caldwell spent a season at Lewis & Clark Community College and averaged 9.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in 2015-16. He also was a former Mr. Basketball candidate at Warren Central High School in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where he averaged 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.7 assists as a senior.
Mbumba comes to USI after a pair of seasons at Vincennes University. He averaged 3.5 points and 3.9 rebounds during his sophomore season and 37 games after posting 2.1 points and 2.1 rebounds in 29 games as a freshman.
“Hugues provides a big inside presence that can protect the rim, rebound and get us power baskets,” said Watson. “He comes from a great basketball program at Vincennes University where he was well coached by Todd Franklin.”
The third junior transfer is Fitzjerrells, who comes to USI after one season at Southwestern Illinois College. He averaged 13.7 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.4 rebounds per game in 29 games as a sophomore in 2017-18.
Watson said, “Braden defines tough. He has always been a scorer, but it is his willingness to do the dirty work that has made him a college player. I am excited to watch him pick up full court next season.”
Fitzjerrells, who began his collegiate career at Lindenwood University-Belleville and averaged 7.2 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.3 rebounds in 27 games, was a three-sport letterwinner at Mt Vernon High School (Mt. Vernon, Illinois). He was named second-team All-State by AP and IBCA in 2015 and honorable mention All-State by AP and third-team All-State by IBCA in 2014.
Rouch, a USI Presidential Scholar, joins USI and begins his collegiate career after completing his career at Boonville High School as the all-time leading scorer (1,518 points) and averaging 22.5 points and 7.0 rebounds as a senior. He was a three-time honorable mention All-State and All-Big 8 selection (2016, 2017, 2018).
“We are happy that Glen is joining our program,” said Watson. “He is a six-foot-six shooter and is a USI Presidential Scholar with his best days clearly ahead of him.”
The four newcomers join previously announced freshman guard/forward Chance Coyle (Bloomington, Indiana). Coyle earned his second All-State selection as a senior at Bloomington South High School while he was on his way to becoming the Panthers’ all-time leading scorer.
