Men's Basketball 8/5/2022 5:37:00 PM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Men's Basketball Has Seven Newcomers

Coffey, Esman, Gordon, Harris, Lennox, Lohr and Mutebi will be Warriors this fall.

DETROIT -- First-year Wayne State University head men's basketball coach Bryan Smothers, along with assistant coaches Raymoan McAfee, Jr. and Will Vergollo, announced the addition of seven student-athletes for the 2022-23 academic year.

Joining the Warriors this fall will be center Matt Coffey (Detroit, Mich. / Martin Luther King), forward/center Bryce Esman (Metamora, Mich. / Oxford), guard Justice Gordon (Brampton, Ont. / Halton Prep), guard Carmelo Harris (Flint, Mich. / Beecher), guard Kaimen Lennox (Kansas City, Mo. / Truman H.S. / Hutchinson C.C.), guard Eli Lohr (China Township, Mich. / St. Clair), and guard Chris Mutebi (Farmington Hills, Mich. / Univ. of Detroit Jesuit).

"Our first recruiting class really embodies everything we want our program to be about," commented Smothers. "They are all talented, diverse, hard-working young men who all want to be at Wayne State. They value the culture we are building and really set the foundation for success now and for years to come. Our coaching staff did a great job of identifying, evaluating, and building relationships with the young men and their families. We are thrilled to get everyone on campus and get to work!"

Matt Coffey, C, 6-8/250, Detroit, Mich. / Martin Luther King

High School: A 2022 graduate of Martin Luther King High School ... helped the Crusaders to a 19-3 record as a senior for coach George Ward ... MLKHS won 18 consecutive games in 2022 after a season-opening loss ... selected to the 2022 Associated Press Division 1 All-State Honorable Mention team ... attended Mount Clemens High School his first three years ... earned First Team East Division All-Charter School honors as a sophomore ... averaged 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks per game in 2021 for the Battling Bathers ... played summer ball for the Michigan Playmakers 17U team.

Personal: Full name--Matthew J. Coffey ... born on February 29, 2004, in Detroit ... son of Marvin Coffey and Dawn Kock ... has seven brothers and one sister ... plans to major in Business.

Coach Smothers on Matt Coffey

"He is a really talented player from Detroit. Matt has an athleticism and work ethic that will allow him to really maximize his potential in our program."

Bryce Esman, F/C, 6-8/222, Metamora, Mich. / Oxford

High School: A 2022 graduate of Oxford High School ... earned three varsity letters for the Wildcats and coach Steve Laidlaw ... averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds and two assists per game as a senior ... received First Team All-Oakland Athletic Association Blue Division honors and garnered Team MVP accolades in 2022 ... was an OAA All-Academic Athlete ... served two years as a team captain ... played summer ball for the Michigan Playmakers and coach George Ward.

Personal: Full name--Bryce S. A. Esman ... born on April 20, 2004, in Troy, Mich. ... son of Jim and Mary Esman ... has two older sisters, Nicole and Danielle ... plans to major in Business ... last name is pronounced SMIN.

Coach Smothers on Bryce Esman

"Bryce is a natural leader. He is smart, and is a high IQ player. Bryce gives us an inside-out presence on the floor."

Justice Gordon, G, 6-4/180, Brampton, Ont. / Halton Prep

High School: A 2022 graduate of Halton Prep ... averaged 25 points, six assists and four rebounds per game in the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association ... also played at Jean Vanier Catholic High School in Richmond, Ont. (one year), Rise Academy (one year), and Orangeville Prep (two years - 2019-20 and 2020-21) ... served as a team captain ... played summer ball for Grassroots Elite Canada and also Execution Elite.

Personal: Full name--Justice C. Gordon ... born on February 21, 2003, in Brampton, Ont. ... son of Corey Gordon and Jaime Jacob ... has three younger brothers, Avery, Jace and Mo, and two sisters, Kaitlynn and Jailynn ... plans to major in Psychology.

Coach Smothers on Justice Gordon

"Justice is a confident player who loves the game and works hard to be great. His shooting ability will translate to the college level immediately."

Carmelo Harris, G, 5-11/160, Flint, Mich. / Beecher

High School: A 2022 graduate of Flint Beecher High School ... was a four-year starter and team captain for FBHS ... averaged 27 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals per game as a senior to earn Associated Press Division 3 state Player of the Year honors ... helped the Bucs to a 22-3 record in 2022 for coach Marquis Gray ... contributed 15 points, two blocks and two steals in the 2022 MHSAA Division 3 state semifinal setback to Schoolcraft ... scored 16 points and added three assists and two steals in the 2021 MHSAA Division 3 state championship game win over Iron Mountain, after totaling 15 points and five rebounds in the semifinal win over Hanover-Horton ... voted to the Associated Press All-State First Team in both 2020 and 2021 ... named a McDonald's All-American nominee in 2022 ...selected as the Most Outstanding Player of the 2022 Gottagetit Hoop Classic ... also ran track for FBHS ... competed at the 2021 MHSAA Division 4 state track finals in the 800m (2:08.64) ... helped both the 4x100m relay and the 4x400m relay finish as state runners-up ... ran the third leg on the 4x100m relay and the leadoff leg on the 4x400m relay ... participated in the long jump with a best mark of 19-3.75 at the Genesee Athletic Conference meet ... also attended Mott Middle College High School ... served as a team captain.

Personal: Full name--Carmelo J. Harris ... born on July 1, 2003, in Grand Blanc, Mich. ... son of Charlie and Veda Harris ... father played collegiately at Mankato State (1990-92) and in the CBA with the Flint Fuze in 2001-02 ... has an older brother, Charlie Jr. ... is undecided on academic major.

Coach Smothers on Carmelo Harris

"He is a winner who has an all-around game. Carmelo makes others better on and off the court. We expect him to make an impact early in his career."

Kaimen Lennox, G, 6-2/185, Kansas City, Mo. / Truman (Hutchinson C.C.)

2021-22: Started 34 of 35 games for Hutchinson Community College helping the Blue Dragons to a 26-9 record ... shot 42 percent (163-of-388) from the floor, including 27 percent (38-of-140) from beyond the arc ... made 68 percent from the foul line (80-of-117) in scoring 444 points ... finished second on the squad with 949 minutes played ... grabbed 126 rebounds (48-78), while dishing out 100 assists and recording 45 steals ... scored in double figures 24 times ... scored a season-best 24 points three times (11/27 at Barton, 1/15 vs. Garden City, and 2/14 at Northwest Tech) ... dished out a season-high seven helpers twice (11/27 at Barton and 1/17 vs. Independence) ... notched a season-best four steals against Pratt (11/23) ... link to Game-By-Game Stats.

2020-21: Appeared in nine games as a freshman for UMKC, making two starts ... played 10-plus minutes in six contests ... shot 55 percent (17-of-31) from the field, while scoring 40 points ... tallied eight points, four assists and a season-high five rebounds in collegiate debut vs. Culver-Stockton (11/25) ... posted season-highs in minutes (37), points (14) and assists (7), while adding four rebounds vs. Kansas Christian (12/19) ... recorded a season-high two steals vs. Greenville (11/27) ... link to Game-By-Game Stats.

High School: A 2020 of Truman High School in Independence, Mo. ... served as a team captain for coach Rod Briggs ... named to the Missouri All-State Class 5 Team … selected to the Greater Kansas City Suburban All-Conference Mid Seven Red Division First Team in 2019 and 2020 … recognized with all-district honors … voted Team MVP … averaged 18.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game as a senior … helped lead THS to a 16-10 record … scored over a 1,000 points for the Patriots ... was a member of the Spanish Club … also competed in football.

Personal: Full name--Ab K. Lennox ... born on July 6, 2002, in Independence, Mo. ... son of Ab Lennox and Jo Lynn James ... has an older brother, Dominique, and two older sisters, Gabriel and Teka ... father had a team-high 47 steals in 1992-93 for East Central (Oklahoma) University ... aunt Betty Lennox played at Louisiana Tech was drafted in the first round and earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors in 2000 ... she scored 3,872 points, while playing in 320 games from 2000-11 ... plans to major in Business Management.

Coach Smothers on Kaimen Lennox

"Kaimen is an experienced player that brings athleticism and versatility to our backcourt. He is low maintenance and a blue collar kid. We expect him to use his talent and play-making ability to make us better from day one."

Eli Lohr, G, 6-5/170, China Township, Mich. / St. Clair

High School: A 2022 graduate of St. Clair High School ... was a three-year lettewinner for coach Matt Distelrath ... averaged 11.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game in 2022 to earn Associated Press Division 2 All-State Honorable Mention recognition ... helped the Saints to a 16-6 record and an appearance in the district finals ... received Detroit News All-Metro East Honorable Mention accolades as a senior ... selected to the 2022 All-Macomb Area Conference (MAC) Gold Division First Team ... served as a basketball team captain as a senior ... also earned three letters in tennis and two in baseball ... earned All-St. Clair County honors in baseball as a senior first baseman ... had an RBI single in the Blue Water East-West All-Star game ... was the MAC Red Division No. 2 doubles champion as a senior ... selected to the BCAM All-Academic Team ... named to the MAC All-Academic Team in all three sports ... graduated Summa Cum Laude from SCHS.

Personal: Full name--Eli J. Lohr ... born on May 3, 2004, in Port Huron, Mich. ... son of Eric and Carrie Lohr ... mother played four years of college basketball (two at St. Clair County C.C. and two years at Michigan-Dearborn) and is the current head women's basketball coach at WSU ... has an older sister, Sarah, who played basketball at SC4 in 2021-22 ... plans to major in Engineering.

Coach Smothers on Eli Lohr

"Eli was a three-sport high school athlete in Tennis, Baseball and Basketball. He is a high upside player that loves WSU."

Chris Mutebi, G, 6-4/200, Farmington Hills, Mich. / Univ. of Detroit Jesuit

High School: A 2022 graduate of University of Detroit Jesuit High School ... was a three-year varsity letterwinner and team captain for the Cubs and head coach Pat Donnelly ... played primarily shooting guard, but also saw action at the small forward position ... helped U of D finish 16-6 overall and win the Catholic League title as a senior ... scored 12 points in a 67-66 district final win over Oak Park in 2022 ... was an All-League, All-City and All-Academic selection ... also competed in football for the Cubs ... selected to both the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News 2021 All-Detroit Second Team as a wide receiver ... received Academic All-State honors from the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association ... played summer basketball for The Family and coach Marcel Smith.

Personal: Full name--Christopher M. Mutebi ... born on February 5, 2004, in Detroit ... son of Joesph and Lucy Mutebi ... has two older brothers, Nick and Cedric ... Nick played basketball at Wayne State from 2014 to 2018, and was named Associate Manager of New Business Development at the National Basketball Association in the summer of 2022 ... Nick is an NCAA Postgraduate Internship Program alum ... plans to major in Pharmacy.

Coach Smothers on Chris Mutebi

"A WSU legacy who loves the University and the city of Detroit. Chris is a very bright and talented young man. We are excited to watch him develop in our program."

Print Friendly Version