Men's Basketball | 5/22/2019 9:45:00 AM

May 22, 2019-Emporia State men's basketball coach Craig Doty has announced the addition of Justin Balcome and Mayuom Boum to the Hornets recruiting class. Both will have four years of eligibility for the Hornets.

"With this recruiting class we tried to address our rebounding and second line defense concerns of last season," said Doty. "Justin and Mayuom have the ability to alter shots at the rim and rebound at a very high level."

Balcome is a 6-10 forward who is transferring to Emporia State after redshirting the 2018-19 season at Northern State. He averaged 17.0 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game at Alexandria HS. He was second on the team with 2.7 assists per game and earned All-Central Lakes Conference honors.

"Justin is a outside/inside big who has range to 26 feet. He can finish over both shoulders and will be very difficult to defend in pick and pop situations," said Doty. "He redshirted in a national level program at Northern State where he was able to add weight and strength. We are thrilled he is joining our program."

Boum is a 6-9 center from Lincoln, Neb. He averaged 10.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks per game and shot 55% for Lincoln Southwest HS. He was the Lincoln city champion and placed 13th at the Nebraska Class A state meet in the 400m during the track season for the Silver Hawks. He grew 11 inches from eighth grade to his senior year and will not turn 18 until November.

"Mayuom is all of 6'9" with a 7'2" wing span and is incredibly skilled," said Doty. "He finishes well above the rim and has a good face-up game. With his ability to rebound and block shots, Mayuom addresses many needs for our program. We look forward to working with such an incredibly talented young man and are really happy Mayuom chose Emporia State."

Balcome and Boum join transfers Dallas Bailey, Devin Rottweiler, Brenden VanDyke, and Justin Williams along with freshmen recruits Gage McGuire, Tyreek Robinson, Mason Thiessen and Keyon Thomas in the Hornets signing class for 2019.

Emporia State ended the season 14-16, 8-11 in the MIAA an improvement of five wins overall from last season and double their conference wins.  The 14 wins under Coach Craig Doty are tied for the second most by a first year Hornet coach. Their season ended with an 82-79 loss to #1 Northwest Missouri in the MIAA Tournament, the closest game for the national champion Bearcats during the post-season.

Hornet Signees
Name    Ht.    Hometown/Previous School
High School
Mayuom Boum    6-9    Lincoln, Neb./Southwest HS
Gage McGuire    6-6    Coldwater, Mich./Coldwater HS
Tyreek Robinson    6-6    Kissimmee, Fla./Gateway HS
Mason Thiessen    6-8    Inman, Kan./Inman HS
Keyon Thomas    5-10    Bonner Springs, Kan./Bonner Springs HS
Transfers
Dallas Bailey    6-6    Denver, Colo./Iowa Central CC
Justin Balcome    6-10    Alexandria, MInn./Northern State
Devin Rottweiler    6-8    Sierra Vista, Ariz./Central Wyoming CC
Brenden Van Dyke    6-8    Avondale, Ariz./Cowley CC
Justin Williams    5-10    Indianapolis, Ind./Lincoln Trail (Ill.) CC