UAB’s men’s basketball program made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015. This is exactly what head coach Andy Kennedy wanted to build once he returned to his alma mater in 2020.
Behind electric star guard Jordan “Jelly” Walker, along with a good supporting cast, Kennedy coached the Blazers to a Conference USA Tournament Championship, winning 27 games in the process. But Kennedy is not done building this program up just yet. Throughout his coaching career, Kennedy has been able to recruit well while at Cincinnati and Ole Miss. Now during the transfer portal era, Kennedy has been able to flourish, building up his Blazers’ team even more.
UAB is definitely looking to make noise once again in 2023.
UAB TRANSFER ADDITIONS:
TYLER BERTRAM, BINGHAMTON
9.0 PTS / 1.8 REB / 1.2 AST / 39% 3FG
LEDARRIUS BREWER, ETSU
14.6 PTS / 5.3 REB / 2.1 AST
TY BREWER, ETSU
10.7 PTS / 6.7 REB / 1.0 AST / 1.4 STL
JAVIAN DAVIS, MISSISSIPPI STATE
3.5 PTS / 2.3 REB / 46% FG
ERIC GAINES, LSU
9.0 PTS / 3.3 REB / 2.9 AST
Eric Gaines will come to Birmingham as a 5-star transfer while Ty Brewer is ranked a 4-star, according to EvanMiya.
Kennedy has gone all out during the offseason bringing in a great transfer class. Jordan Walker announced last week that he will be using his final year of eligibility to return to UAB. The Conference USA Player of the Year averaged 20.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists. Walker shot 40 percent from the field, 40 percent from three and 88 percent from the free-throw line. The Blazers bring Walker back, as well as KJ Buffen, Tavin Lovan and Trey Jemison. UAB returns four of their consistent starters and pairs that up with a top 10 transfer class in the country.
Just don’t be shocked if the Blazers make a run in next year’s NCAA Tournament.
TPR’S PROJECTED LINEUP FOR UAB:
JORDAN WALKER, G
ERIC GAINES, G
TAVIN LOVAN, G
KJ BUFFEN, F
TREY JEMISON, C
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