CHICAGO – Chicago State University men's basketball head coach Tracy Dildy announced today the recent signings of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2017-18 season.
Joining the program this upcoming season are two junior college transfers Anthony Harris (Gary, Ind.) and John Joyce (Chicago, Ill.), and two high school players Cameron Bowles (Chicago, Ill.) and Simeon Henton (North Chicago, Ill.).
I think that this recruiting class is special and we were fortunate to get some of the talent that we have coming in which includes a couple of good players that came out of the Chicago Public League. This helps us establish our identity of a Chicago represented team as we head into next season looking to challenge for the Western Athletic Conference Championship. It's really exciting to see the direction we're going into preparing for the season," stated Dildy.
Cameron Bowles
6-7 - Forward
Chicago, Ill./Kenwood
Averaged 7.2 rebounds, 6.8 points, 3.3 blocked shots and two assists per game as a senior at Kenwood Academy… helped Kenwood post a 21-8 record and won the IHSA Class 4A Proviso West regional title… led the Chicago Public League Red-Central in blocked shots… played for the South-Central team at the 2017 Chicago Public League Basketball Coaches Association All-Star Game in April, where he scored 16 points and grabbed eight boards in final prep game.
Dildy on Bowles: "At 6-foot-7, Cam is so versatile and athletic in addition to being a great shot blocker that can extend the court. He has the frame of a guy that can play around the basket while also has the skill level to play facing the basket. His versatility is going to be huge for us."
Anthony Harris
6-5 - Guard
Gary, Ind./South Suburban College
Earned First Team All-NJCAA Region 4 District 3 honors after posting averages of 12.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.8 steals per contests during sophomore season at South Suburban… captured all-tournament team honors at the NJCAA Region 4 –District 3 and NJCAA Division II national tournaments while helping SSC placing third in the nation… ranked seventh in NJCAA D-II in steals per game.
Dildy on Henton: "Anthony is a guy that really takes a lot of pride on the defensive end. His ability to guard multiple positions is going to be really huge for us. I already told him during the recruiting process that whoever we play, you're going to guard their leading scorer and He welcomes that challenge. That defensive mentality automatically makes your team tougher and makes your team better."
Simeon Henton
6-2 - Guard
North Chicago, Ill./North Chicago
Claimed Fourth Team Class 3A/4A all-state honors from the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association after leading North Chicago to a 20-9 season record with averages of 16.4 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and three blocked shots per game… also earned all-area recognition from the Lake County News and received All-North Lake County Conference honors.
Dildy on Henton: "Simeon is a guy that I think went under the recruiting radar, but he still made all-state. He's a guy that has a chip on his shoulder to prove that he's as good than some of the other area players that were ranked higher than him (in the Class of 2017). I welcome to have guys like that because with the schedule that we play with you need guys with a chip on their shoulder. They're not concerned with whom we play against, but they're going to feel that they are the best player on the floor night in and night out."
John Joyce
6-6 - Forward
Chicago, Ill./Triton College
Averaged 8.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists during sophomore season at Triton College, whom he helped finish 30-3 and advance to the title game of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 4 – Division D Tournament… posted 10 double figure scoring games that included a pair of 15-point efforts.
Dildy on Joyce: "John is a force who can really shoot the ball and is a good team guy. He is a leader off the court to where he will always do the right things. He gives us a chance to win night in and night out because bigger guys are going to try to defend him on the perimeter and that will be kind of tough with him helping stretch the defense."
The four newcomers will join seven returning letterwinners and two starters from last season's squad which includes the team's top returning scorer in junior guard Fred Sims, Jr.
