Charlotte, NC – The Niners will open up its regular season on November 9, 2021, at home against Monmouth University (West Long Branch, NJ), a Division I FCS school from the Big South Conference. The two programs last hooked up for their first and only meeting on November 7, 2007, when the Hawks shocked the Niners 58-56 in overtime during the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas, V.I.
Niners head coach Ron Sanchez told media Tuesday afternoon that he believes the experience currently on the roster, will be the team’s biggest strength heading into the season. That being said, we could expect to see a starting lineup that will consist primarily of upper-classmen. Sanchez also mentioned that it will take some time to determine who will be inserted into his starting unit alongside Jahmir Young. We will project who will be in the team’s starting 5 once the Niners hit the hardwood next month. Granted, these projections must be taken with a grain of salt as it is solely based after watching just one practice.
PG – Jahmir Young (6’1 / 185 lbs / Junior)– The returning first-team All-Conference guard has been a model of consistency for the Niners as he enters into this third season. Young averaged a career-best 18 points per game in just under 35 minutes while starting every game for the team. There’s nothing to project here. Bearing any unforeseen circumstances, Young will be the starting point guard on November 7th.
SG- Clyde Trapp Jr (6’4 / 200 lbs / Senior) – The 6’4 transfer from Clemson started all 24 games for the Tigers last season who finished 16-8 (5th in the ACC), on the way to earning a number seven seed in the NCAA tournament. We project Trapp to be in the starting lineup this season as he plays out his final year of eligibility in Charlotte. In Trapp, the Niners have an explosive athlete who excels on both ends of the floor and can play on or off the ball. He also provides Sanchez with a strong ability to go get his own shot, which is a skill the Niners must take advantage of this year as the team looks to bolster its offensive production.
SF- Brice Williams (6’7 / 215 lbs / Junior)- Williams arrives back on campus for his Junior year after finishing as the team’s third-leading scorer at 9.7 points per game. The former Hopewell (Huntersville, NC) Titan started 14 of 25 games last season and had two 20 point games in January. Williams continues to be a budding offensive talent who can stretch the floor. He shot an extremely efficient 43% from three last season. As a player on the wing, Williams could benefit from being on the floor with guards who have proven to be effective penetrators.
PF – Luka Vasik (6’8 / 205 / Redshirt Senior)- Sanchez could elect to go in several directions at this position, however, we will project that the 6’8 forward from Croatia could fit seamlessly into the starting lineup. Vasik returns to the hardwood after missing two of the last three seasons due to a torn right ACL suffered in the summer of 2018. Vasik is not only the longest-tenured Niner but also the only player to suit up under former Head Coach Mark Price. Vasik looked comfortable on the floor during his first practice and appears to have developed an interior presence to go along with his already solid perimeter game. We would not be surprised if Vasik sees time at the 5 position.
C- Perry Francois (6’8 / 240 lbs / Senior)– A graduate transfer from Texas A&M Corpus-Cristi, Francois spent last season averaging just over 7 points per game, while shooting 58% from the field. The Miami, FL native is the only player on the roster to average at least one block per game last season. Francois fits the mold of what Sanchez expects out of his 5’s; a big who can protect the rim, run the floor, be efficient in the pick-and-roll and finish strong around the rim.
