Team Preview: Harding University’s Youth Movement Ready To Soar

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future is bright for the Rams, and the momentum couldn't be more on their side. They are coming off their first winning season since 2021 and return seven of their top eight. Among those top seven, three are underclassmen who averaged a combined 31 points per game.&nbsp;With the addition of a few freshmen and the development continuing to progress, the Rams will be fun to watch this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Ed Cooke is a staple in the community and is well respected for how well he coaches and develops. During an interview earlier this offseason with MicOnTheBlockNC, Coach Cooke praised the teams commitment to listening, learning and wanting to be better. He stated although they're young, the Rams are very deep and hungry.&nbsp;They will be disciplined and well prepared for every opponent. Getting a taste of winning last year was a good start, but a 20-win season is the goal Coach Cooke believes this group can attain.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sophomore Sensation</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"DJ Caviness","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Harding University ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abc5f1e53727"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second leading scorer returns and is looking for a sophomore surge to continue the progress of the Rams. DJ scored double figures in 14 games and was excellent against good competition. His successful freshman season led to an all-conference nod and now he's hungrier than ever to build on that success. The combination of pace, playmaking and scoring puts defenders in a bind trying to defend him.&nbsp;Coming into this year, he's gotten bigger, stronger and more athletic. With a year of experience plus the enhanced physical traits, the sky is the limit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite being able to score from all levels effectively, the way he makes others better is the cherry on top. He led the team in assists and tallied ten games with 5+ assists. Don't let the smooth shooting and size fool you, DJ loves to touch the paint and finish amongst the trees. Not only can he get it done on the offensive end, but he's also ultra disruptive on defense. Averaging 2.2 steals per game is impressive but how he got them is what I loved. There was a lot of one-on-one pick pocketing with his quick hands and aggressive pressure. DJ's two-way versatility gives the Rams a variety of ways to use him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Surging Senior</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Andre Cherry","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Harding University ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abc5f1e5383c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As one of the few seniors on the roster, Andre will be asked to lead this young group on and off the floor. He is a big, versatile guard that can stuff the stat sheet. His overall metrics last year won't blow you away but the way he impacted the game went beyond the numbers. The pressure he puts on the rim garners teams to put bigger players on him, but his elusiveness is too much for them. Not a high-volume shooter from outside but the mid-range is effective. A lot of his damage is done from the free-throw line down. The usage rate will rise but being more efficient is critical in his new role. The relentless nature he plays with on both ends will raise the others around him and lead to a solid senior season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Junior Year Jump</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"TeBrien Cornelius","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Harding University","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abc5f1e5391c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you play as hard and with as much passion as Tebrien, good things tend to happen. He's the type of player who doesn't need a play run for him nor have to score to impact the game. Playing a more limited role over the last few years, he should see that expand this season. The film from his freshman season to now shows the work he's been putting in has translated. Tebrien will be tasked with being a connective piece that finishes well at the rim and rebounds at a high level. Both of which he already excels at, but raising that production will be pivotal&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rim running, offensive rebounds, &amp; transition is where he will be most effective on offense. His athleticism mixed with his motor will frustrate opponents throughout the game. Defensively his shot blocking and on ball defense is a game changer. Physicality won't bother him when defending bigger players in the paint &amp; his help side defense is an asset. Tebrien's impact is not hard to see or feel when you watch &amp; the Rams are hoping for a big year from him on both ends of the floor&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nasir Cooke was amazing to begin the season but sadly an injury derailed what could've been a big freshman year. His rehab has been attacked aggressively, and he should return better than ever. Freshman Zyon Butler gives the Rams good size on the interior. His screening, rebounding and rim protection will be vital this year. Still adjusting to the physicality and speed of the game, it might take him a few games, but Zyon will be a huge piece this year and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another freshman that will be an immediate contributor is [player_tooltip player_id='3736945' first='Traylin' last='Jackson']. A knockdown shooter with good size, athleticism and the ability to get downhill off the bounce. He had a great summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2220892' first='Team' last='United'] which I believe will bleed over into a good freshman season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A player I think is vastly underrated and will shine in his sophomore year is Jarrel Evans. Coming off a solid freshman season where he averaged around 9 points per game. His ability to get downhill and finish is the strength of his skillset along with his on-ball defense. As the outside shooting develops, be on the lookout for Jarrel to be a key cog in this young team. His on-ball defense and toughness alone will flip a few games in Hardings favor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->