Written by Tom Mieskoski

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With Cleveland State’s season opener only a week away, here’s a preview of CSU’s five freshmen: Ludovic Ndaye, Devon Long, Sebastian Douglas, Keith Mackie and Darius Ware.

Only Ndaye and Long are expected to see action this season, according to Cleveland State head coach Gary Waters, while Douglas, Mackie and Ware are expected to redshirt.

The addition of Ndaye and Long to the frontcourt should be a much improvement over last year’s disappointing class of Jared Cunningham and Kevin Anderson, who are no longer with the program.

“Both (Ludovic Ndaye and Devon Long) are better defensive players and are more physical then (Jared Cunningham and Kevin Anderson),” said Waters. “They also bring more offensive skills (then them).”

 

Ndaye, a 6-foot-9, 230-pound forward from Montreal, Canada, is currently listed as the back-up power forward behind starter Tim Kamczyc, according to CSU’s depth chart in the 2010-11 men’s basketball prospectus.

A member of the Canadian junior national team, Ndaye averaged 12.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists for Westwind Prep in Arizona last season.

Ndaye brings versatility to the frontcourt as he has the ability to play both inside or outside on the perimeter. He can also play both power forward or center, but is best suited for power forward.

“Ludovic comes from one of the top prep schools in Arizona and many of those kids went high major, and I had to fight many high majors off to keep this kid committed to us,” said Waters. “He has a good mid-range shot. What I’m trying to get him to understand is how well he needs to move his feet on defense.”

Long, a 6-foot-7, 270-pound center from Detroit Crockett Tech, is listed as the third back-up at center behind starter Aaron Pogue and veteran Joe Latas. Long averaged 18 points and 13 rebounds as a senior at Crockett Tech. He was ranked as the second best center and ninth best player in the state of Michigan by Prep Spotlight.

Long can also play both power forward or center. He is more of a traditional back to the basket post player. Waters said Long has struggled in practice trying to guard the 6-foot-9, 265-pound Pogue.

Waters compares Long to a more athletic John Whorton, who Waters coached at Kent State. Waters would like to see Long lose about 25-pounds by the end of the season, he’s currently weighs in at 260.

“I thought Devon was the best big man in Detroit. Devon is a true low post scorer and it’s hard to find those type of players today because everyone wants to be a guard and step outside,” said Waters. “Devon is athletic and can score on the block. He can also dunk on you.”

The “most heralded” incoming recruit, according to Waters, is Douglas, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound point guard from Houston Bellaire. Douglas averaged 14 points, 6.1 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 steals a game as a senior at Bellaire.

Unfortunately, CSU fans will have to wait a year to see Douglas play as he is most likely out for the entire 2010-11 season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during a charity basketball game this summer.

He is expected to be cleared to practice in December, but Waters says he isn’t going to rush him. When he is cleared to practice Douglas will run the scout team.

Douglas can play the 1, 2 or 3 positions, but could be best suited to play at the 2 or 3 down the road, according to Waters.

“He has a bright future (at Cleveland State) and I don’t want to screw with that at all,” said Waters. “We brought Sebastian to play behind Norris and make sure if we lose a bigger guard he could of gone into the line-up.

“He’s very athletic and played on the No. 5 team in the country. (At a mid-major), you don’t usually get a point guard with that kind of size.”

The last two freshmen Mackie and Ware, both walk-ons, will help the Vikings in practice playing on the scout team.

“They (Keith Mackie and Darius Ware) both worked hard in the preseason - came here in the summer and payed their own way - shows how committed they are to what we do,” said Waters.

Mackie, a 5-foot-9, 165-pound point guard from Westland, Mi., averaged 9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.6 steals as a senior at Ann Arbor Fr. Gabriel Richard.

“Keith Mackie comes from a very successful program in Gabriel Richard,” said Waters. “He really works hard and is a short fire bug that really comes after you.”

Ware, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound guard from Bloomfield Hills, Mi., averaged 22.1 points and 5.6 assists a game at The Gunnery prep school in Washington, Ct. last season.

Prior to playing at The Gunnery, Ware was a four-year letterman at Detroit Central, where he averaged 15.2 points and 7.2 rebounds a game as a senior, helping his team to the district title.

“Darius played for a close friend of mine at Detroit Central,” said Waters. “He’s very competitive and athletic.”

News and Notes: CSU will have a secret scrimmage against Buffalo in Erie, Pa. on Saturday, according to Jeff Goodman’s blog on FoxSports.com…. On Monday, the Vikings will host Baldwin-Wallace in its only exhibition game before the season opener on Nov. 12 against Bryant in the World Vision Classic at the Wolstein Center.