George Washington University Athletics
Men's Basketball Adds Six Recruits For 2009-10
6/24/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
June 24, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC -- George Washington basketball coach Karl Hobbs has announced that he and his staff have added six recruits to play for the Colonials beginning in 2009-10. The newcomers include three guards, Bryan Bynes, Tim Johnson and Lasan Kromah, and three frontcourt players in David Pellom, Dwayne Smith and Daymon Warren.
Bynes is a 6-foot-3, 175-pound guard from Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He averaged 17 points, six rebounds and five assists as a senior at Boyd Anderson High School under coach Eugene Richardson. Bynes was named the Big 8 Tournament MVP, All-County First Team, and All-State Third Team while graduating in the top 20 percent of his class. The Cobras posted a 25-3 record his senior season and were the top-ranked team in Florida's 6A division and rose as high as No. 14 in the ESPN Rise national poll. A solid mid-range shooter and explosive dunker, Bynes also is an accomplished track athlete who qualified for the Florida state track & field finals in the long jump.
Hobbs on Bynes: "Bryan is a terrific athlete who made the Florida state championships in the long jump. He's a very versatile guard who is able to slash to the basket and has an opportunity to be a terrific defender and can play the point [guard position]. The fans are going to love his personality."
Johnson is a 6-foot-5, 180-pound guard from Harvey, IL. He is considered a vocal leader according to ESPN.com Recruiting Coordinator Antonio Williams, who praised Johnson's defensive intensity and versatility.
Hobbs on Johnson: "Tim is a 2 guard with a terrific mid-range game. He has the ability to really explode to the basket. He's a guy we're expecting to give us some quality depth in the backcourt."
The most local of the new recruits is Kromah, a 6-5, 195-pound guard from Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, MD. Kromah averaged 21 points, nine rebounds, two steals and a block per game as a senior under coach Brendan O'Connell. He was named to the All-Met Fourth Team by the Washington Post and First Team All-County by the Prince George's Gazette following his senior season. Kromah shot 40 percent from three-point range and 75 percent from the line his senior season. "Lasan is great all-around player," O'Connell said. "He can rebound, defend, pass. He's really capable of taking over games offensively. He gets a lot of recognition for his outside shooting, but he just finds ways to score. He has a real passion for basketball and just loves to play."
Hobbs on Kromah: "He was one of the better scorers in the state of Maryland and is a versatile big guard/small forward. He can score in a lot of different ways. He needs to get a little stronger but he can create plays for himself as well as for his teammates from the wing."
Pellom is a 6-8, 210-pound forward from Wilmington, NC. He averaged 15.8 points, eight rebounds and four assists as a senior at New Hanover High School. Pellom was named First Team All-Conference after helping lead New Hanover to an 18-8 record as a senior under coach Kirk Angel. Scouts consider Pellom an exceptional passer with a quick first step.
Hobbs on Pellom: "David is another in the mold of the long, lean athletic forwards we've had. He's a runner and a terrific shot-blocker who will give us instant energy on defense. He's also an above-average scorer around the basket."
Smith, a 6-6, 215-pound forward from Toronto, Canada, averaged 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals a game as a senior at Bridgton Academy under coach Whit Lesure. Smith helped lead Bridgton to a 26-11 record and the New England Class A Prep Championship last season. He is noted for his rebounding and court vision enabling him to execute accurate no-look passes and as someone who plays taller than his 6-6 frame. "He's a gifted scorer but could become a tough defender," Lesure said. "Very good rebounder for his size and plays bigger than 6-6. He is perfectly suited for GW's tempo and style. Great kid on and off the floor, very well-regarded by his teachers and peers alike."
Hobbs on Smith: "Dwayne is a very mature, physically strong player who is very athletic and runs the floor well. He will give us some maturity in terms of his basketball experience."
The big man of the freshman class is Warren at 6-foot-9, 230 pounds. Originally from Richmond, CA, Warren averaged 12 points, 8 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal per game at Worcester Academy in Worcester, MA. Warren helped lead the Hilltoppers to a 17-8 record during his only year on the team. He played both forward and center under coach Ed Reilly.
Hobbs on Warren: "Daymon is a big physical guy who will give us some depth at the 5 spot. Physically speaking, he's ahead for a high school player and he has a chance to be a terrific rebounder."
George Washington Men's Basketball Recruits for 2009-10:
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. PPG RPG APG Hometown/High School
Bryan Bynes G 6-3 175 17.0 6.0 5.0 Ft. Lauderdale, FL/Boyd Anderson
Tim Johnson G 6-4 170 20.4 9.7 n/a Harvey, IL/Lee Academy (ME)
Lasan Kromah G/F 6-5 195 22.0 9.0 4.0 Greenbelt, MD/Eleanor Roosevelt
David Pellom F 6-8 210 15.8 8.0 4.0 Wilmington, NC/New Hanover
Dwayne Smith F 6-6 215 15.0 8.0 4.0 Toronto, ONT/Bridgton Academy (ME)
Daymon Warren C 6-9 230 12.0 8.0 2.0 Richmond, CA/Worcester Academy (MA)
For more information about GW Athletics, visit www.GWsports.com
