(St. Louis, MO) – There is a new vibe around Eastern Kentucky basketball. Call it good chemistry, energy, confidence, but first year coach A.W. Hamilton has brought a fresh approach to Colonel basketball and it shows.
Hamilton’s passion, positive approach and uptempo game has caught on with EKU players, particularly with star forward Nick Mayo. The three-time all conference player is in the best shape of his life and loves playing for Hamilton. The former ‘Freshman of the Year‘ is off to the best start of his Colonel career.
The 6’9 Maine native is averaging 25 points and over nine rebounds per game. His 40 point, 12 rebound effort against Chattanooga was one for the history books. Mayo is now third on the Colonel career scoring list (1,732).
Hamilton says Mayo is a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ type of player and that he has gained weight and muscle and is poised for a special season. The coach and player joke easily and Hamilton tells me he plans on being in the NBA draft green room with his standout player.
Mayo could have transferred, but Richmond, Kentucky has become home.
Eastern Kentucky has split its first six games.
Newcomers
There are solid holdovers on this year’s roster, and Hamilton is bullish on his first recruiting class. Taking meals together and traveling to Costa Rica together has helped create that good chemistry.
While no other player than Mayo averages double figures in scoring, seven other players average at least six points per game.
Transfers Kelvin Robinson and Jordan Oakley have added experience and in Robinson’s case ball handling. He’s averaging 4.5 assists per game.
Freshmen Jomaru Brown, Tre King and Houston King come to EKU with great potential. Brown (8.5 points per game) is third in scoring. Hamilton says the new additions have caused their roster to even out and they’ve come in with the right kind of work ethic.
With Tennessee, Northern Kentucky, Xavier and Duquesne as four of their next seven opponents the Colonels’ good chemistry and Mayo’s NBA credentials will be tested.
We will know a lot more about this edition of EKU basketball by the turn of the New Year and the beginning of OVC play.
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