Joplin, Mo. - Missouri Southern men's basketball head coach Sam McMahon has announced the final recruits to the upcoming 2024-25 season with five transfers and four freshmen added to complete the recruiting class.
Below is a short bio on the incoming players along with a quote from coach McMahon.
Tyrique Brooks: 6-4, 180, Guard from Springfield Central High School (Springfield, Mo.)
"Tyrique had an amazing senior year. He can score in a variety of ways and defends at a high level. He is one of the best players in the state of Missouri."
Over his high school career, Brooks has scored more than 1500 points, averaging 17.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.2 apg, and 2 bpg while shooting 59.6% from the field and 45.1% from beyond the arc. He was the Class 6 Co-Player of the Year, the All O-Zone Boys Basketball Player of the Year, and the Springfield Sports Commission Boys Basketball Player of the Year, earning All-Conference, All-District, and All-State honors. He won the 2024 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions Dunk Contest in 2024 after finishing as the runner-up in 2023. His presence has left a major impact on the team, helping Springfield Central to a 20-win season in 2023-24 and leading the team to a third place finish in the Class 6 MHSHAA State Basketball Tournament. In December of 2023, the Bulldogs won the Gold division of the Blue & Gold Tournament, something Springfield Central hadn't done in 40 years. Not only did they win that tournament, they defeated Glendale by 30 points, a 10-time tournament champion over the past 13 years.
Gavyn Elkamil: 6-5, 190, Guard from Southeast Missouri State University (Pittsburg, Kan.)
"We are excited to have Gavyn back here in the four states area. He had a terrific high
school basketball career at Pittsburg HS but has had some unfortunate injuries in
college. He is back healthy and ready to have a great impact here at MSSU."
Elkamil comes from SEMO where he spent the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. Although he missed the 2022-23 season with a shoulder injury, he played in 18 games during the 2023-24 season, averaging 2.1 points and 1.7 rebounds per contest. Of his 11 field goals made, nine were from beyond the arc and he was a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line. He finished the year with 10 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. Right out of high school, Elkamil went to Tulsa University where he redshirted his true freshman year. During his high school career, Elkamil was the Joplin Globe's Player of the Year and a two-time First Team All-Area selection out of Pittsburg High School. He averaged a double-double his senior year with 24.6 points and 12.5 rebounds per game, scoring a career-high 37 points against Fort Scott where he went 12-19 from the field and 12-14 from the free throw line.
Hunter Fitch: 6-8, 205, Forward from Mexia High School (Mexia, Texas)
"Hunter is an athletic forward who plays very hard. His ability to block and alter shots on the defensive end and rebound at a high level will instantly help our program. He is also a versatile scorer with great hands and touch around the basket."
Fitch averaged a double-double over his high school career, scoring 17.2 points and grabbing 10.9 rebounds, also averaging 3.7 blocks per game. He was named First Team All-District, First Team Waco Tribune Super Centex, and was the Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Additionally, Fitch was a Class 3A UIL Boys All-Region selection and a THSCA Boys Basketball Academic All-State Honorable Mention. At the Heart of Texas FCA All-Star Game, Fitch was the Co-MVP as he scored 32 points in that contest. He was also First Team All-Corsicana Tournament and First Team All-Waco ISD Tournament.
Cooper Francis: 6-4, 190, Guard from Salisbury High School (Salisbury, Mo.)
"Cooper has won his whole high school career. He is a big guard who can shoot the basketball but also creates for others. He is a tough competitor that plays with a ton of confidence and makes everyone around him better."
Francis was a two-time Class 2A All-State player and the Lewis & Clark Conference Player of the Year. He led Salisbury to a 29-3 record and a 3rd place finish his senior year, averaging 34 points per game in state tournament play. The year prior, he led Salisbury High School to the Class 2 State Championship.
Jamari Lawrence: 6-1, 160, Guard from Southwestern Christian College (Dallas, Texas)
"Jamari is a big-time shooter and scorer. He has a very quick release on his jumper and is crafty around the basket. His ability to score the basketball will help us tremendously."
Lawrence led the North Texas Junior College Athletics Association (NTJCAC) in three pointers made per game (3.0) and finished 4th in the NTJCAC in scoring with 18.7 points per game over 27 contests in 2023-24. He was a Second Team All-NTJCAC selection and finished top-50 in the country in points per game. Along with his 18.7 ppg, he averaged 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest, shooting 43.6% from the field and 38.9% from three point range.
Cody Lechlider: 6-5, 180, Guard from Owasso High School (Owasso, Okla.)
"Cody is a winner in every aspect. He plays extremely hard and is a big-time athlete. His ability to shoot, pass, and dribble is something we place great value in. He is also a great defender who is tough as nails. He will help us a ton on both ends of the floor."
Lechlider helped lead Owasso High School to the program's first ever Class 6A Boys Basketball Oklahoma State Championship. During the 2023-24 season, the team finished with a 26-4 record and Lechlider was named to the Class 6A All-State Tournament Team. He finished the Championship game with 14 points.
Cortaviaus Seales: 6-1, 165, Guard from Western New Mexico University (Rock Island, Ill.)
"Cortaviaus is a tough veteran guard who has produced in the Lone Star Conference which is
one of the best D2 leagues in the country. He can really score the ball, but he can also create for others which we place great value in. He will be tremendous for us."
Seales spent the 2023-24 season at NCAA Division II school Western New Mexico University. He started all 24 games he played in, averaging 18.5 points per game (5th best in the Lone Star Conference) while grabbing 3.3 rebounds and dishing 2.6 assists per contest. From the field, Seales shot 42.3% and he shot 43.7% from beyond the arc. He was named Honorable Mention All Lone Star Conference. Seales scored 30+ points in four contests last year, dropping a season-high 34 points against Arkansas-Fort Smith.
Jaden Taylor: 6-3, 175, Guard from Southwest Tennessee Community College (Memphis, Tenn.)
"Jaden is a tough guard who can really attack the paint. He is extremely quick and hard to stay
in front of. He is a high-level passer who can create shots for others and gives us another ball
handler that is great off ball screens."
Taylor comes from Southwest Tennessee Community College where he played the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. Last year, Taylor started 30 of the 32 games he played in, averaging 17.8 points per game, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per contest. His senior performance led to Second Team Tennessee Community College Athletic Association honors after totaling 210 assists on the year which ranks him in the top-10 Saluqis all-time. On the year, Taylor scored double digits in every game he played and recorded 6 double-doubles (points and assists). He was at his best in the postseason, averaging 22.0 points and 10.3 assists per game in the
TCCAA/NJCAA Region VII Tournament, including 27 points and a career-high 13 assists in the
Saluqis' quarterfinal win over Roane State Community College.
Tyrone Wright: 6-9, 200, Forward from Marion Military Institute (Atlanta, Ga.)
"Tye is an explosive forward who is relentless on the glass. He was one of the best rebounders
in the country at the juco level. His motor and length will be a great asset to our program."
During his sophom*ore season, Wright averaged a double-double with 13.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game over 29 contests in 2023-24, shooting 56.3% from the field. He recorded a double-double in 17 of those contests, riding a streak of 8 straight at one point. Wright was named Second Team All-ACCC (Alabama Community College Conference), finishing 1st in the ACCC in offensive rebounds per game, 2nd in rebounds per game, 2nd in blocks per game (1.7), and 5th in field goal percentage. His 4.2 offensive rebounds per game was 6th best in the country and he ranked 11th in the nation in rebounds per game.
Click here for the full 2024-25 men's basketball roster, and the 2024-25 men's basketball schedule can be found here.
The Missouri Southern men's basketball season is presented by Arvest Bank, a proud supporter of Lion Athletics.
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