HICKORY, N.C. — The Catawba Valley Community College men's basketball program has announced the signings of six athletes to its 2018-19 recruiting class, including Jaquan Thurman, Sal-Bey Young, Malik Leach, Justus Day, Jonathan McFall and Brandon Reeves.
Thurman, a product of nearby Hickory High School, averaged 15.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game during his Red Tornado career.
A two-time all-conference selection, Thurman helped lead Hickory to 51 wins in 61 games in two seasons, and he also scored 1,000 points on the court during his HHS career.
This past December, Thurman guided Hickory to a record 20th Dick's Sporting Goods Classic tournament championship on CVCC's home court at the Tarlton Complex, earning Most Valuable Player honors in the process.
"Jaquan is a strong, very active athlete," said CVCC head men's basketball coach Bryan Garmroth. "Jaquan's ability to play hard, run the floor, compete and finish plays will make him a very valuable player for us. He brings a tremendous amount of energy to the court."
Young is a 6-foot-5 post player from Garner High School in Raleigh, N.C. He helped lead the Trojans to a 26-2 overall record on the court this past winter, including a 10-0 record in South Wake 4A conference play. His play also helped propel Garner to the third round of the 4A state playoffs.
"He is long and very active," Garmroth said of Young. "He has a real ability to defend, rebound and plays hard. He brings a lot of energy. He will also show an ability to score."
Leach, a 5-foot-11 guard, helped guide Perquimans High School in Hertford, N.C. to 11 wins and a 1A playoff appearance.
"Malik is a very quick and strong point guard," Garmroth said. "He handles the ball and sees the floor very well. He also proved to be a very good scorer in high school. I feel he will be able to bring this ability to the next level as well."
A 6-2 senior guard from Cherokee High School, Day averaged 14.0 points per game for the Braves this past winter, leading them to a 16-6 overall record and 10-2 mark in Smoky Mountain Big 1A conference games.
"Justus is a strong very athletic guard who has a tremendous ability to score from behind the 3-point line as well as driving the ball to the basket," Garmroth said. "His size and athleticism should also make him an excellent defender."
A 6-foot-4 forward, McFall comes to Catawba Valley from Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in Georgia.
"Jonathan is a long wing," Garmroth said. "He is very athletic and has a very good ability to score the ball. His length and athleticism should also make him a very good defender."
A former Gaston Day School standout from Belmont, N.C., Reeves comes to CVCC after transferring from Mars Hill University. In 25 games with this Lions this past winter, the 6-foot-4 forward averaged 3.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.
"Brandon is a strong wing who can also play the four or five (position)," Garmroth said. "He is a good athlete who can make plays. He will also bring some experience to our team."
Thurman, Young, Leach, Day, McFall and Reeves join a 2018-19 Red Hawk recruiting class that already includes Ashbrook's Byron Sanders, Combine Academy's Jeremiah Keith, Greenville's (S.C.) Quade Parks, Hunter Huss' Jahleer Black, Franklin's Zach De La Cruz, Harding's George Paul, Knightdale's Cole Johnson and Stuart Cramer's Dezure Moulden.