Jett Parker

Men's Basketball 9/28/2021 3:08:00 PM

Preparations for 2021-22 Season Underway

Tickets Now on Sale for Final Season in the GSU Sports Arena

ATLANTA-Coming off a third-straight Sun Belt Conference Tournament Championship Game appearance, the Georgia State men's basketball team officially opened practice and preparations for the 2021-22 season on Tuesday. It is the first official practice for the team and gives the Panthers six weeks before the regular season opener on Nov. 9.

Georgia State finished last year 16-6 in a COVID-19 shortened season, falling just short of a third-straight NCAA Tournament. With an extra year given to seniors last year, the Panthers will have arguably its oldest and deepest roster in program history.

The Panthers have reached postseason play six times in the last nine seasons and have more wins than any other NCAA Division I program in the state of Georgia since the start of the 2013-14 season.

Super seniors Kane Williams and Corey Allen both elected to return for another season and will be joined by fellow seniors Eliel Nsoseme and Justin Roberts. Allen earned All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team honors last season, while Nsoseme garnered third team honors after becoming just the seventh player in program history to average a double-double for the season.

The foursome is joined by fellow returners Evan Johnson, Kalik Brooks, Collin Moore, Jalen Thomas, Kaleb Scott, and Zach Pina. After taking redshirts last season, Nelson Phillips and Joe Jones III also back on the court this year.
Head coach Rob Lanier, who is now beginning his third year at the helm of the program, also welcomes in five talented newcomers all who will see action this year. Jordan Rawls transferred to Georgia State from Western Kentucky, while freshmen Chien-Hao Ma, Ja'Heim Hudson, Danny Stubbs, and Jamall Clyce will give the Panthers their biggest line-up in program history with 17 players.

In his first two seasons, Lanier has the highest winning percentage of any men's basketball coach in his first two years in the program in school history, winning 35 games and putting together a .648 winning percentage.

Georgia State will open the season on Nov. 5, hosting Clayton State for an exhibition game at the GSU Sports Arena. The regular season begins on Nov. 9, as Georgia State hosts Brewton-Parker.

Arguably the highlight of the schedule will be traveling just across town to face Georgia Tech on Dec. 21, for a second-straight season. Last year on opening night, the Panthers shocked the Yellow Jackets 123-120, in a four-overtime affair that last more than three hours.

Georgia State will play 15 home contests this winter in the final season of the GSU Sports Arena. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit GeorgiaStateSports.com/Tix or call 404-413-4020 during normal business hours.

Fans first opportunity to see both the men and women's basketball team comes Oct. 20, as Georgia State hosts GSU Jam in the GSU Sports Arena. More details to come on that event and more events this season at the GSU Sports Arena will be announced in the coming weeks.

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Players Mentioned

#11 Corey Allen: G; 6' 2"; Senior

#21 Kalik Brooks: G; 6' 5"; Junior

#0 Evan Johnson: G; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#23 Joe Jones III: C; 6' 9"; Redshirt Sophomore

#24 Collin Moore: G; 6' 4"; Sophomore

#1 Eliel Nsoseme: F; 6' 8"; Senior

#2 Justin Roberts: G; 5' 10"; Senior

#30 Kaleb Scott: F; 6' 6"; Sophomore

#12 Kane Williams: G; 6' 4"; Senior

#33 Jamall Clyce: F; 6' 6"; Freshman

#15 Ja'Heim Hudson: F; 6' 7"; Freshman

#14 Chien-Hao Ma: F; 6' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#11 Corey Allen
: 6' 2"; Senior
: G

#21 Kalik Brooks
: 6' 5"; Junior
: G

#0 Evan Johnson
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: G

#23 Joe Jones III
: 6' 9"; Redshirt Sophomore
: C

#24 Collin Moore
: 6' 4"; Sophomore
: G

#1 Eliel Nsoseme
: 6' 8"; Senior
: F

#2 Justin Roberts
: 5' 10"; Senior
: G

#30 Kaleb Scott
: 6' 6"; Sophomore
: F

#12 Kane Williams
: 6' 4"; Senior
: G

#33 Jamall Clyce
: 6' 6"; Freshman
: F

#15 Ja'Heim Hudson
: 6' 7"; Freshman
: F

#14 Chien-Hao Ma
: 6' 7"; Freshman
: F