LAREDO, Texas – After a three-year stretch that saw the Texas A&M International men's basketball team win back-to-back Heartland Conference regular season championships in 2010-11 and 2011-12 before a fourth-place finish last season, the Dustdevils have reloaded with seven recruits in preparation for an aerial assault on the Heartland.
Second-year head coach Bryan Weakley is importing size – like 6-foot-8 forward Will Wise, 6-foot-7 forward Vadal Faniel and 6-foot-6 forward Jamie Farrie – and sniper-caliber guard play – with Deonnte Breedlove, Denzel Copeland, Eric Mitchell and Laredo-product Rudy Gonzalez (United High) – as the Dustdevils aim to best their 15-12 (8-6 Heartland) posting from last season.
"We feel like we've added the right pieces to the TAMIU 2013-2014 recruiting class," Weakley said. "They will blend well with our returning players. We have added toughness and additional leadership. It will serve us well when we compete in the tough Heartland Conference play."
TAMIU opens its season on Nov. 8-10 at Disney's Division II Tip Off West Classic in Anaheim, Calif., with three games in three days. The Dustdevils will first play Minnesota State-Mankato before California State-Dominguez Hills and Seattle Pacific.
The Dustdevils open at home on Nov. 15 in the La Posada Classic against Arlington Baptist.
Vadal Faniel, 6'7" Forward
Antelope Valley Community College
Faniel, a Knight High alumnus, will look to utilize his 205-pound frame to push his way through the paint toward much-needed rebounds or penetrating passes.
At AVC, Faniel was named to the Foothill Conference second team after averaging 8.0 points per game and 122 rebounds off the bench.
"Throughout the recruiting process with Vadal, we have been very impressed with (AVC head) coach John Taylor and his staff," Weakley said. "They run a great program. For the next two years we will have a forward in Vadal that will leave everything on the floor. He plays with an edginess and intensity that we love."
Deonnte Breedlove, 6'3" Wing
Odessa College
Breedlove, a Washington, Texas, native, entered the fold for the Wranglers after averaging 18.2 points per game, 9.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists in high school. In high school, he earned All-District and All-Region first-team honors and an All-District Most Valuable Player recognition.
For the Wranglers in 2012, Breedlove appeared in 28 games, while averaging 12.0 points per game. He shot 41 percent from the 3-point line and 86 percent from the free-throw line as Odessa cruised to a 25-8 record.
"Over the last two seasons, we have been very impressed with Deonnte's growth as a basketball player at Odessa," Weakley said. "(Odessa head coach) Tra Arnold has done a tremendous job with his development.
"Deonnte puts in the time to improve his game and plays with a great amount of intensity. He is known as a guy that will do whatever it takes to win. He will add great depth on the wing for us."
Breedlove averaged 3.5 rebounds a game in 2012-13 with 33 steals and 10 blocked shots.
Eric Mitchell, 5'11" Point Guard
Ventura Community College
Mitchell, who prepped at Harlan High in Chicago, Ill. was an integral part of two top Western State Conference teams.
He played his freshman season in 2010-11 when the Pirates finished with the best record in the conference, but were not allowed to claim the championship due to probation, and played as a sophomore last season, leading VC to the WSC championship.
As a freshman, Mitchell played in all 29 games, averaging 7.6 points and 3.9 assists per outing. He also shot nearly 46 percent from the floor as VC posted an overall mark of 22-7, 10-2 in the WSC.
He was unable to play in 2012 due to an ankle injury, and returned to the Pirate line-up in 2013, netting 5.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in 29 appearances. He also made 54 percent of his shots from the floor as VC went 24-7, 8-2 in the WSC.
"We are excited to sign another player from Ventura College," Weakley said. "Eric will bring great leadership and toughness to our team. He is someone you can count on."
Denzel Copeland, 5'10" Point Guard
De Anza College
Copeland, out of Santa Teresa High, averaged 8.5 points per game on 42 percent on field goals, 38 percent from long range and 78 percent from the free throw line.
"We love the way Denzel competes," Weakley said. "He plays hard on both ends. He is a tremendous person, student, and teammate. He will add great depth at the point guard position."
Rudy Gonzalez, 6'4" Wing
United HS
Gonzalez, a local product from Laredo, is an explosive shooter that can get hot and rip the net with little provocation.
His explosiveness was limited in his senior season at United as he missed three weeks battling tendinitis and a knot in his hamstring.
He had to be slowly worked backed into the lineup but was a consistent threat for a double-double before and after the injury.
"We are thrilled to be able to sign Rudy," Weakley said. "He comes from a great basketball program at United. He impressed us with his character, commitment to academics, and his upside as a basketball player.
"If he commits himself to improving every day, then he will have a chance to really help us in the future."
Will Wise, 6'8" Forward
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Wise was an impact punisher in the paint during his two-year stay with the Retrievers.
In 34 games over two seasons, Wise shot for a 43.5 percentage from the field while averaging 1.4 points per game. He rebounded 1.2 balls per game.
"Will's versatility was what we noticed initially," Weakley said. As we got to know him, we really enjoyed who he is as person even more. He is a tremendous human being with a great story. It has propelled him to where he is today.
"We are expecting him to contribute at a high level for us."
Jamie Farrie, 6'6" Forward
Angelina College
Farrie becomes a Dustdevil after a season that saw him shoot 57 percent from the field and 61 percent from the charity stripe for Angelina.
He averaged 6.8 points per game, 5.4 rebounds and helped lead the program to a 14-11 record.
"Jamie fits the way we want to play," Weakley said. "He feels really comfortable with his back to the basket and on the perimeter. He is very physical and has been tested over the last two seasons in a great junior college conference."
