The unofficial online home for fans of the Kent State University Golden Flashes. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

From KentWired (the Stater website) Saturday:

Jerrelle DeBerry, a guard from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has opted to leave the Kent State men's basketball team, according to a tweet he posted on Friday.

“I want to thank the coaching staff and the administration for all of their support since I arrived at Kent State,” the tweet reads. “I feel it is the best for me to explore options that will be a better fit for me as I work toward my goals.”

Eugene Canal, the university's director of athletics communications, confirmed DeBerry's release in an email Friday.

DeBerry, who was in his first year with the program, transferred from Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa – where he was teammates with current Flash Kevin Zabo.

The junior played in 11 contests this season – averaging 4.9 points and 1.1 rebounds per game – and scored a season-high 13 points in 15 minutes of action in Kent State’s 111-55 win over Division III Hiram College on Nov. 18.

The Flashes begin Mid-American Conference play Tuesday at the M.A.C. Center against Ball State University before taking on the Ohio University Bobcats Friday night at 9 p.m. in a game that will be televised by ESPNU.

Well he was disappointing. I have a suggestion for what to do with his scholarship... Desmond Ridenour.

Hopefully we can fill his spot with a PG that will take us to the next level. If Teyvion Kirk is up to the challenge to be that man, then I would be excited.

Best of luck Savage-DeBerry...there's plenty of teams out there that don't emphasize defense the way KSU does.

(01-01-2017 12:13 PM)anti-zip Wrote:  Well he was disappointing. I have a suggestion for what to do with his scholarship... Desmond Ridenour.

That would work too. He's been a stud. Do you know if he's played PG at any point in his career?

I don't know for sure, but he couldn't do worse than what we've had so far. As for next year don't forget we've got Taishaun Johnson in waiting.

Based on the posts I would have to say no ones too upset over this. By the way neither am I. Sendy needs to cut the rotation down and this seems like as good a way as any.

DeBerry was suppose to be our 3 point marksman, obviously his lack of D hurt his playing time, but for a team that lacks a knockdown 3 point shooter this is disappointing, Hopefully this doesn't affect Zabo. and we have a PG redshirting this year, so I think we are fine at this point.

(01-02-2017 09:20 AM)luckyflash Wrote:  DeBerry was suppose to be our 3 point marksman, obviously his lack of D hurt his playing time, but for a team that lacks a knockdown 3 point shooter this is disappointing, Hopefully this doesn't affect Zabo. and we have a PG redshirting this year, so I think we are fine at this point.

Johnson is by no means a 'PG' ... chk his stats ... however, he can score.

As for Ridenour ... while there is prestige in having a scholarship ... there are also major benefits in NOT being on scholarship, including the ability to make cash on the side both during the school year and the summer ... scholarship players are limited in that regard ...

if he/family have a good recipe (other scholarships/grants/etc) for paying his way ... might be advantageous for both if he was not on scholarship ... NOT SAYING HE DOESN'T DESERVE IT ... just saying there may be an advantage to not having it ...

I was hopeful that DeBerry would play a lot of minutes this year, but can understand if he can't earn playing time.

I'd guess he'd leave school and try to save a semester of eligibility. I don't know the rules, but I'd guess he just needs to sit out a school year and would be able to play in spring 2018, with another Division I team. I hear Arkansas State will need a guard next year after Devin Carter (17 ppg this year) uses up his eligility

(01-02-2017 06:30 PM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote:  I was hopeful that DeBerry would play a lot of minutes this year, but can understand if he can't earn playing time.

I'd guess he'd leave school and try to save a semester of eligibility. I don't know the rules, but I'd guess he just needs to sit out a school year and would be able to play in spring 2018, with another Division I team. I hear Arkansas State will need a guard next year after Devin Carter (17 ppg this year) uses up his eligility

Transfer rule is correct. He has to spend two full semesters at his new school before he is eligible.

(01-02-2017 11:05 AM)cleveland Wrote:  

(01-02-2017 09:20 AM)luckyflash Wrote:  DeBerry was suppose to be our 3 point marksman, obviously his lack of D hurt his playing time, but for a team that lacks a knockdown 3 point shooter this is disappointing, Hopefully this doesn't affect Zabo. and we have a PG redshirting this year, so I think we are fine at this point.

Johnson is by no means a 'PG' ... chk his stats ... however, he can score.

As for Ridenour ... while there is prestige in having a scholarship ... there are also major benefits in NOT being on scholarship, including the ability to make cash on the side both during the school year and the summer ... scholarship players are limited in that regard ...

if he/family have a good recipe (other scholarships/grants/etc) for paying his way ... might be advantageous for both if he was not on scholarship ... NOT SAYING HE DOESN'T DESERVE IT ... just saying there may be an advantage to not having it ...

I'm still hopeful he can help at the point. In the past Kent coaches have made redshirt players run point in practice to develop their skills and understanding of the offense. Rod Sherman comes to mind. I would hope they're doing something similar with him considering our lack of production from that position. His assist numbers were on par with our current guards last year. What scares me about him is his high turnover numbers and abismal three point numbers...And the fact that he still took a good number of them.

That's a good point on Ridenour. As an in state resident and a minority he probably qualified for plenty of grants.

(01-02-2017 06:30 PM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote:  I was hopeful that DeBerry would play a lot of minutes this year, but can understand if he can't earn playing time.

I'd guess he'd leave school and try to save a semester of eligibility. I don't know the rules, but I'd guess he just needs to sit out a school year and would be able to play in spring 2018, with another Division I team. I hear Arkansas State will need a guard next year after Devin Carter (17 ppg this year) uses up his eligility

Dang, I forgot about him. Looks like he's killing it for them. Seems like he's a high volume high percentage three point shooter... something we've been sorely missing.

Has Teyvion Kirk signed with us? If not, I really like Darrell Struthers out of Canton McKinley.

Duling is the only signee announced. From my count, there's three scholarships freeing up - Hall, Edwin, and DeBerry. Ridenour should get one. So there should be at least one available.

Darryl Straughter was 3rd team last year in the Northeast Inland district at Canton McKinley. Only a couple of offers so far. He's a PG listed at 5'10"

Keep an eye on him. He's having a great year. He is by far their best option.

Straughter is probably closer to 5'9", and can't weigh more than 160 pounds soaking wet. He's a really good player, will probably be 1st team in his district (NEO Inland). He does play point and can score a bunch - against even good high school teams. A coaching friend told me that Kent State is interested, as are a handful of other mid-majors and D II schools. I don't think he has actually had any DI offers yet. I've seen him play a couple of times but really haven't watched him closely enough to offer an opinion as to whether he would do well in the MAC. My guess would be that he would do OK. I'm sure the coaching staff can make that determination, one way or the other.

(01-05-2017 03:28 PM)Muskrat Wrote:  Straughter is probably closer to 5'9", and can't weigh more than 160 pounds soaking wet. He's a really good player, will probably be 1st team in his district (NEO Inland). He does play point and can score a bunch - against even good high school teams. A coaching friend told me that Kent State is interested, as are a handful of other mid-majors and D II schools. I don't think he has actually had any DI offers yet. I've seen him play a couple of times but really haven't watched him closely enough to offer an opinion as to whether he would do well in the MAC. My guess would be that he would do OK. I'm sure the coaching staff can make that determination, one way or the other.

HAVE NEVER SEEN HIM PLAY AND HAVE NO COMMENT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER IN THAT REGARD .... HOWEVER....

I remember how much consternation there was just a few years back when Kent had no 'pure' PG yet relied on a pair of very athletic combo guards -- Brewer and Jackson ... to win a MAC title ...

But 'Kent" history shows (2002 aside) that athletic combos have their strengths at KSU that can overcome or at least equalize their shortcomings ...

Zabo and Avery do not have the athleticism to make up for their shortcomings ... Ridnor does ... just an observation going forward ...

Kent would be well served ... if it is going to miss on recruiting a PG ... to make sure he at least has the athleticism to make up for his shortcomings ... Not saying this kid does or does not, just saying that is how I would be evaluating going forward ... True PG are becoming harder and harder to find ... so err on the side of athleticism ... few remember Avery was a big-time scorer in HS, but sure does not look like it now ...

My only concern with Slaughter would be his size. But if he was 6'2' 175 pounds Kent State wouldn't have a shot at him anyway. If the coaching staff feels that he is good prospect, I hope they offer and he accepts. I know that they DID offer a scholarship to LePear Toles. Well, anyway, I was told they did so I can't say for sure. He was a teammate of Straughter last year but he opted to go to a military academy prep school for a year because he wasn't able to showcase his talents in the summer AAU games because of personal family issues. He is at least 6'4" and at least 180 and I heard he is doing well and also playing some point guard. Whether he is still on Kent State's radar and if he is getting looks by schools by major conferences, I haven't heard.

(01-05-2017 03:28 PM)Muskrat Wrote:  Straughter is probably closer to 5'9", and can't weigh more than 160 pounds soaking wet. He's a really good player, will probably be 1st team in his district (NEO Inland). He does play point and can score a bunch - against even good high school teams. A coaching friend told me that Kent State is interested, as are a handful of other mid-majors and D II schools. I don't think he has actually had any DI offers yet. I've seen him play a couple of times but really haven't watched him closely enough to offer an opinion as to whether he would do well in the MAC. My guess would be that he would do OK. I'm sure the coaching staff can make that determination, one way or the other.

Yeah - no one under 6'0" will ever score 30 ppg in the MAC

I hope we're not scared off by guards being under 6'0". We've had plenty of luck with guards like that in the past. What would we look like with Kellon Thomas or Jordan Mincy on this team? Going after guys that have high major talent but D2 size might be the easiest way for MAC teams to find good PGs.

I would still love to see us land Naz Bohannon from Lorain. I haven't seen him play since his Sophomore year (when he was playing with Andrews) but I was really impressed with him back then. Very high motor. I'm hoping to try to catch one of his games again this year. Back then he was more of a post player but it looks like he's developed his handles and outside shot a lot since then. Most sites project him as a SF at 6'6" but I suspect he's kind of a tweener and might play PF for us. With A. Walker on the team and Duling coming in, he might not be what we need but I think he has a chance to be a really really good player and is definitely one of the top HS players in the area.