The men’s basketball team has undergone major changes in the offseason. The team has brought in almost an entirely new roster full of transfers and freshmen, along with two new assistant coaches that will make up the new 2013-2014 ACU basketball team.
“It’s definitely a concern bringing in this many new guys,” head coach Joe Golding said. “We’ve been doing a lot of team bonding and chemistry activities and I’m confident that they’re going to mesh well with each other.”
Some of the most notable acquisitions for the team are juniors Rafael Farley, LD Williams and Julian Edmonson. Farley, a 6-foot-4-inch guard from Houston, averaged 17 points per game and five rebounds for Ranger Junior College. Williams is from Austin, and 5 feet 11 inches tall. The guard averaged 14 points, six rebounds and three assists during his two years at Coastal Bend Junior College. Edmonson, son of former professional basketball player Keith Edmonson, is another guard, he is 6 feet 2 inches tall and averaged 9.4 points off the bench for Independence Community College in Kansas.
“There are a lot of new faces and so far all the guys have been great,” sophomore Parker Wentz said. “I’m really excited to get started to play ACU basketball.”
Golding also brought in two new assistant coaches, Brett Tanner and Patrice Days. Tanner spent the last seven seasons as head coach at Stephen F. Austin State University where he led his team to a 153-65 record. He will take over duties on the defensive side of the ball. Days comes to ACU from Jacksonville, Fla., and helped the Arlington Country Day School earn a 30-4 record.
“I really like both of these guys,” Golding said. “Brett has a lot of experience and really did well at SFA and, plus, he knows the Southland Conference which will really help us. Days has a lot of recruiting ties all around the country, so he’ll be great when it comes to recruiting, especially outside of Texas.”
As the only returning player from last year, sophomore Parker Wentz will be looked to for leadership and guidance as everyone aims to play on the same page and fit cohesively into coach Golding’s system.
“He’s going to be really big as far as helping these guys feel comfortable here,” Golding said. “He’ll be a leader on the court but also help these guys on campus. Whether it’s sliding in and out of chapel, or showing them the way around campus, he’s going to be big for this team.”
The changes may be many, but the end result goal for the Wildcats is one of the things that has not changed.
“I want to give my best effort every game to represent God, ACU and our team every time I step on the court,” Wentz said.
