Purple Aces Add To Roster For 2018-19

 University of Evansville head men’s basketball coach Walter McCarty has announced his inaugural signing class for the Purple Aces as they prepare for the 2018-19 season.

“We are really excited about this signing class – their potential is first-class,” McCarty said.  “They can each do a lot of things; their games are very rounded.  This is probably one of the most complete and balanced classes to come into this program at one time.  They have a ton of potential.”

Will Becker – 6-9 – Power Forward – Aurora, Colorado

Will Becker is a 6-9 forward who comes to Evansville following his career at Smoky Hill High School in Aurora, Colorado.  In his senior season, Becker averaged 9.8 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game.  In a recent “Terrific 24” AAU tournament game in Indianapolis, Becker recorded 20 points, 18 rebounds, and 5 blocks.

He was an honorable mention on the Denver Post’s All-Colorado Boys Basketball Team.  Becker also enjoyed a solid junior campaign in 2016-17, finishing with 8.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks.  Coach McCarty on Becker: “Will is a very skilled big guy who can really get up the floor.  He knows how to play the game – he can pass it and is also a tenacious rebounder.  He gives us extra opportunities and possessions.  Will can play the power forward and center spot.  People are really going to be surprised with how athletic he is and how he can play above the rim.  He will be a big part of our future.”

 Shea Feehan – 6-0 – Guard – Peoria, Ill.

Shea Feehan is the first-ever graduate transfer to join the Purple Aces.  The 6-0 guard graduated from Division III Eureka College in Illinois and will work towards a Master’s of Public Health at UE.  He is originally from Peoria, Ill. and has one year of eligibility at UE.

Feehan was one of the top players at his division last season, ranking second in D-III with 30.6 points per game.  An accurate shooter, Feehan completed the year shooting 53.7% from the field and 44.2% from long range.  The 2018 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year led his team to an 18-8 mark in 2017-18.  Feehan garnered NABC All-District Second Team honors as he led Eureka to its first league tournament bid since 2013.

Coach McCarty on Feehan: “Shea is a tenacious offensive player.  He can get in the paint and make plays, but the best thing he does is shoot the basketball.  He is going to draw a lot of attention and we hope that will open things up for everyone on the floor.  Opponents have to respect his jump shot and his outside shooting.  We’re excited to have him; he is a good leader who is very experienced.  We will rely on him to help our young guys, he has been great for us so far.”

Shamar Givance – 5-10 – Point Guard – Toronto, Ontario, Canada

A native of Toronto, Canada, Shamar Givance is a 5-10 point guard.  He spent the last two seasons playing at the First Love Christian Academy in Washington, Pa.  Givance averaged 17 points, 8 assists and 2.5 steals per contest while helping his squad to a mark of 18-10 against a competitive schedule.

Givance played AAU basketball for the Northern Kings in Toronto.

Coach McCarty on Givance: “Shamar is a true point guard.  He is very quick and can get to the paint.  He is a natural leader as far as getting the team ready and in position to be successful.  He can also defend; he is one of those guys that can really guard and defend the basketball.  Offensively, he can really get your team in the right position.  Shamar has a nice jump shot and can get off the floor and finish above the rim.”

Jawaun Newton – 6-3 – Guard – El Paso, Texas

Jawaun Newton, a 6-3 guard, comes to UE from El Paso, Texas where he was a star player at Burges High School.  As a senior in 2017-18, Newton averaged 28.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game on his way to earning Class 5A All-State accolades.  He also added 3.1 assists and 2.2 steals per contest.

Newton led his school to 31 victories last season and was named the El Paso Times Boys’ Player of the Year on two occasions and is set to begin his freshman campaign at UE.

Coach McCarty on Newton: “He is an athlete, I think if you put him in any sport, he is going to excel.  He is a tremendous defensive player and he can make shots offensively.  He is also very physical.  What I love about him is that he has a high IQ and catches on very fast.  Jawaun is just as good off the court and in the classroom as he is on the court.  He gives it everything he has every second he is on the floor.”

DeAndre Williams – 6-9 – Forward – Houston, Texas

Another freshman on the 2018-19 squad will be DeAndre Williams.  A 6-9 forward, Williams is a product of Houston, Texas.  Last season, Williams played for the Nation Wide Academy in Oklahoma City and averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds.

Williams is a 2016 graduate of Klein Forest HS in Houston and was chosen to play in the NBA Top 100 Camp in the summer of 2015 before his senior year of high school.  ESPN and Scout.com rated Williams as a 3-star recruit and he drew interest from multiple Power 5 schools before choosing UE.

Coach McCarty on Williams: “DeAndre is a fun kid to be around, he has a smile on his face 24/7.  His ability to make guys better, make shots and get to the rim is really special.  He has the opportunity to be a very good basketball player here, he has the chance to be one of the best to ever play at UE.  He will get better and better as he gets stronger.”