Tuesday morning saw the start of what’s been a long time coming for the FGCU men’s and women’s basketball programs: the beginning of official practices.
The women started off the festivities with an 8 a.m. session, while the men followed at 11 a.m. and carried over into the early afternoon.
The programs ended last year on different trajectories but have the same aspirations. Karl Smesko’s women went to the NCAA Tournament with a 29-4 record, coming up just short against Oklahoma on a three-pointer that hit the front of the rim. Pat Chambers’ men went 14-18 and lost to Queens (N.C.) in the first round of the ASUN Conference Tournament.
FGCU men’s basketball: 2024-25 non-conference schedule includes games vs. LSU, TCU, FAU, FIU
The men and women are both slated to head to North Carolina right before and on Election Day, with the men playing UNC Greensboro on Monday, Nov. 4. The women will play on Tuesday, Nov. 5 against Davidson.
Here’s what you need to know about the Eagles heading into the 2024-25 season after Tuesday’s practices.
Experience, newcomers meshing well for Eagles women
Returning the reigning ASUN Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year in Emani Jefferson is undoubtedly going to help the Eagles women’s team remain the class of the conference.
The amount of depth around Jefferson this season — flanked by experienced veterans in Maddie Antenucci, Dolly Cairns, Casey Santoro — is something the redshirt senior is excited for, despite having to replace key pieces in Uju Ezeudu (13.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG) and Ajulu Thatha (8.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG).
“It’s better this year because I know what I’m doing a little bit more,” Jefferson said. “I know what I’m doing a little bit more and having that confidence. My team, with them bringing the energy and being energetic, and just us feeding off each other, I feel like it makes that a lot easier.”
Pat Chambers optimistic despite men’s basketball turnover
Chambers summed up his third year and what he hopes to achieve clearly and concisely.
In his first season, the Eagles finished ninth in conference play. Last year, the Eagles moved up to sixth. Now, FGCU sees a window to continue what’s been an upward track in hopes of making the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017, with the departure of Kennesaw State to the Conference USA and the addition of West Georgia from the Gulf South Conference, which is in Division II.
“In golf, Saturday’s moving day,” Chambers said. “I think year three is moving day. It’s time for us to take the next step in our league, in our conference, and the nonconference. Again, it’s a little different with NIL and the portal, because we have eight new guys… But I wanna see us take the next step in this league. I wanna see us reach that top and maybe potentially host an ASUN tournament.”
In doing so, the Eagles have a host of talent to replace, headlined by Zach Anderson, Dakota Rivers, Cyrus Largie, Andre Weir, Isaiah Thompson, Franco Miller Jr., and Chase Johnston. Those seven combined for 57.6 points per game a season ago, along with 24.7 rebounds. There were also changes on the coaching staff, as Andrew Francis left to join Shaheen Holloway at Seton Hall.
“I think when you look back on the first two years, you’re really trying to put your foundation in place, your culture in order of how you want things to be done,” Chambers said. “And that’s holistically, right? It’s not just on the court, it’s not just in the weight room. It’s in marketing, it’s in ticketing, it’s everything you do in the community, of course. I think we’ve taken steps. Is it where we wanna be? No, it’s not.
“We have goals, we have dreams. Andy Enfield started this and then it goes on from there, the great history that it has. So, yeah, we know what the expectations are, but it’s gonna take steps to get there. and I think we’re taking the necessary steps. We finished ninth, we finished sixth. Let’s hope we can keep going on that trajectory and continue to improve and get to the top four of this league.”
Karl Smesko confident in Eagles’ chances
When you return so much experience in a system that’s been working for years, you’re bound to succeed.
And despite being hunted for so long within the ASUN, the Eagles remain one of the hunters, at least on the national circuit.
FGCU does not have as daunting of a nonconference stretch as they’ve had previously, in part because of the how many close calls Power Four programs have had with the mid-major. The Eagles will trek to Canada and Prince Edward Island to play Georgetown and Cincinnati in the Atlantic Slam. FGCU will also play Cal Baptist and Chattanooga in the FGCU Homewood Suites Classic.
“I think one of the challenges is some of our toughest games happening in the first few weeks of the season,” Smesko said. “And I really think come December and January, we’re gonna be really, really good. Being really good in November is gonna be how much we’re able to get out of each of these practices. So that’s to be determined because we’re playing a lot of teams that have just about everybody back. So they’re gonna be at a pretty high level from the very beginning. So that’s gonna be a great challenge for us, is to try to be at that level from the very first game.”
Kellman, Johnson ready to lead hungry men’s program
Having a pair of proven standouts who are chomping at the bit for success is a nice luxury for anyone that’s around them.
That applies to Keeshawn Kellman and Dallion Johnson. The duo is expected to take on larger roles this season both in production and leadership roles, while transfers and younger pieces look to find their footing within the FGCU system. Kellman was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA, while Johnson is expected to be a threat from deep. He also shaved off weight in the offseason, losing upwards of 20 pounds to play in longer spurts if necessary.
“They acclimated to our culture quickly,” Kellman said of FGCU’s new pieces. “We’ve been competing and working hard every day. It’s great to be a part of… I’m excited to show our togetherness and our competitiveness, because I feel like that’s something that’s really strong and special with this team, and it’ll carry us a long way.”
Johnson has done a solid job at leading by example in practices, as guys like Jevin Muniz work to find their footing after Delaware State, along with Rahmir Barno, who’s expected to take on the point guard position full-time.
“We’re all in the gym, everybody from me, Kee, to the walk-ons,” Johnson said. “Everybody wants to get in the gym. Everybody’s hungry to play, to compete. I think we’re a real competitive group, which is always good. We’re pushing each other every day. I know all of us, we want to win.”
Former Eagles star Keri Jewett-Giles joins coaching staff
Former FGCU women’s standout and Dunbar High grad Keri Jewett-Giles had longed to get into coaching, previously starting Impact Sports Brand, a local girls’ basketball travel ball program for 7th to 11th graders.
Shortly thereafter, Smesko gave her a call and offered her a staff position.
Coaching: Former FGCU, Dunbar High star Keri Jewett-Giles joins Eagles women’s basketball coaching staff
Jewett-Giles will serve as FGCU’s director of video operations for the upcoming season. Jewett-Giles joins two former Eagles on staff, associate head coach Chelsea Lyles and assistant coach Sheahen Dowling, who was promoted from the position Jewett-Giles accepted following Shannon Murphy’s decision to step away from the program. Kendall Spray also stepped away after serving as the team’s director of operations for two seasons, taking a position with Missouri Western State as an assistant.
“Well, Keri was obviously a conference Player of the Year for us and she has a deep love of basketball. She really wanted to get her foot in the door coaching, and I’m glad that she was able to get that opportunity with us. I expect her to work hard, learn how to become a great coach, and I think she has a bright future in front of her.”
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: FGCU men’s and women’s basketball teams kick off first day of 2024-25 season practice
