From Howard University Athletic Media Relations :
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Howard University men’s basketball team officially kicked off the 2020-21 season on Wednesday afternoon in Burr Gymnasium.
The practice was the first of the preseason in advance of their season opener at the end of November.
“Collectively, our guys had a sense of urgency in the way they practiced, our guys played hard and competed.” head coach Kenneth Blakeney said.
The Bison welcomes 10 new players, headlined by five-star recruit Makur Maker.
Maker shocked the basketball world on July 3 when he announced his commitment to Howard, making him the first five-star player to commit to an HBCU.
This year squad will feature 10-players from the DMV, led by 2019-20 MEAC Rookie of the Year Wayne Bristol, Jr.
Blakeney, in his second season, made a concerted effort of building the program with local talent.
Blakeney, a product of the DMV and a former DeMatha Catholic High School standout, points out that the DMV produced some of the greatest NBA players and wants to keep the talent local.
In his 2020 class, he looked for three things: Basketball IQ, toughness, and character.
“it’s a group that has a pretty unique bond right now,” Blakeney said.
