Bench
In addition to one key returner, the Bonnies will welcome in four transfers who should supply a substantial offensive boost off the bench almost immediately – and could step into the starting lineup at any moment.
Alejandro Vasquez is the notable returner, having started eight games last season as a freshman and flourishing at points as the point guard. He led the team in scoring – and was named the Basketball Hall of Fame Naismith Classic Player of the Game – against Rutgers, pouring in 20 points on 8-12 shooting. He shot nearly 42% for the season and 37% on three-pointers.
The transfers include two from Div. I schools – Anthony Roberts and Jalen Adaway – and two Community College stars in Eddie Creal and Jalen Shaw. All four were premier players at their institutions, and all four should see playing time for St. Bonaventure.
Anthony Roberts is arguably the stand-out of the group, immediately eligible after earning a starting role at Kent State last season. A nearly-13 point scorer a game, Roberts averaged just under three rebounds and three assists last season while shooting over 44% from the floor and 37% from distance.
A 6-4 combo guard, Eddie Creal averaged 15 points and six rebounds last year at Moberly Community College while shooting over 58% from the floor. A First Team All-Region and All-Missouri Community College Athletic Conference honoree, Creal should see ample time as an offensive boost behind Lofton and Welch.
Jalen Adaway is eligible after sitting out last season, joining Roberts as a MAC representative – this time, coming from a starting position for the Miami (OH) RedHawks. While at Miami, Adaway started in 46 games, averaging eight points and five rebounds for his career. He will be a much-needed additional shooter for the Bonnies, having knocked down 50.5% (92-182) of his shots last year.
Rounding out the incoming transfers is Jalen Shaw, a necessary back-up for Osunniyi in the post. At 6-10, Shaw comes to St. Bonaventure from Triton Community College where he averaged 11.3 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting over 66% last year, all the while recording 65 blocked shots – the 11th-most among all junior college players in the nation.