Virginia Union University head men's basketball coach will have 10 new players when the Panthers hit the court for the 2014-15 season.

Joining returning starters Ray Anderson and Avery Jirmnson will be eight transfers from the junior college and Division I ranks.

"The 2014-15 VUU men's basketball recruiting class consists of 10 new student-athletes ;  two incoming freshmen, five 2-year college transfers and three four-year college transfers," Sheals said.  "The class is very deep and probably one of the largest recruiting classes in VUU history.  This class fills each positional need and allows the Panthers to add depth, speed, size, quickness and shooting to compliment the two returning players in Ray Anderson (CIAA Rookie of the Year) and last season's leading scorer Avery Jirmnson.  With our style of play this team offensively will play an up-tempo game and will run to score.  On the defensive end, our length will allow us to force teams to make plays rather than run plays. I would like to credit Coach Lonnie Williams for all of his efforts to make this recruiting class a reality, also thanks to our great leadership team, our faculty, University staff and the athletic team for their support."

In alphabetical order, the new recruits are:

• Oghenekaro Adjekughele, a freshman forward from New Rochelle, N.Y.  Adjekughele is 6-6 and weighs 210 lbs.  He attended Fordham Preparatory School.
   
• D'Andre Bullard is a senior transfer from Florida A&M University.  Bullard, a 6-4, 185 lb. guard, hails from Orlando, Fla.
   
• Cedric Happi Noube is a transfer from Emilio Aguinaldo College in the Philippines.  Noube is a 6-8, 235 lb., sophomore from Cameroon.
   
• Robel Hurui is the first seven-footer to don a VUU uniform.  Hurui is 7-1 center who weighs 245 lbs.  He is from Lanham, Md., and is a transfer from Harcum College.
   
• Franky Johnson is a transfer from Coppin State University.  The 6-3, 180 lb., junior guard is from Fairfield, Cal.
   
• Colton Lewis is a redshirt sophomore from Harrisonburg, Pa.  Lewis is a 6-9, 220 lb., forward/center and he is transferring from Saint Petersburg College in Pinellas County, Fla.
   
• Deonte Moore is a transfer from Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Fla.  Moore, who hails from Orlando, Fla., is a 6-4, 205 lb., guard/forward.
   
• Reggie Smalls is the second student-athlete to transfer from Saint Petersburg College.  He is a guard from Bradenton, Fla., and is 6-0, 180 lbs.
   
• Robert Valentine is well-known to Richmond, Va., audiences.  He led Armstrong High School with a 20.6 scoring average.  Valentine is a 6-1, 165 lb., freshman guard.
   
• Ronald Whaley is a junior transfer from Monroe College.  He is from Cleveland, Oh., and is a 6-7, 215 lb., forward.

Virginia Union tips off the 2014-15 men's basketball season when the Panthers meet the All-Army Team in an exhibition match-up at 7:00 p.m. on November 4 in Barco-Stevens Hall in Richmond, Va.