BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Lynn University men's basketball team is ready for the 2023-24 season after an eventful off-season. Led by Head Coach Jeff Price, the Fighting Knights are looking to improve after a rebuilding year in 2022-23 that saw the team win just four games. The team returns some valuable pieces from last season, but also adds in several transfers that should help the team improve on its season from a year ago.
 
Lynn welcomes back the reigning SSC Freshman of the Year in 6'8 forward Nordin Kapic. The Austrian forward averaged 19.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game on 53% from the field, 37% from behind the arc and 75% from the free throw stripe last season. After an off-season spent training and playing with the Austrian national team, Coach Price expects a leap from the talented sophomore.
 
"Kapic has expanded his game, he just continues to get better and he's become a better shooter from the perimeter," said Price. "He's always going to be a good player around the basket, and I think he will demand some double teams there, so that will really help our team overall."
 
The Fighting Knights reloaded its roster in the off-season, bringing in five transfers that have successful track records at the collegiate level. Guard/forward Brad McCabe makes his way to Division-II after spending three seasons at D-I St. Francis (PA), where he started 21 games in 2022-23, reaching double figures in nine games. Guard Tradavis Thompson led Mississippi College in scoring in 2022-23, averaging 16.7 points per game, highlighted by a 47-point outburst vs. Alabama-Huntsville, a team that made the NCAA D-II Sweet Sixteen. Forward Ben Gahlert paced Limestone in scoring last season, reaching 14.5 PPG on 49.4% from the field and 43.2% from deep. Guard Quentin Toles put up 11.9 points per game at Walsh last year and had two of his highest-scoring outputs against SSC competition: 24 points vs. Barry & 20 points vs. PBA. Guard Joshua Sasser was prolific and efficient at Western Oklahoma State in 2022-23, averaging 16.1 PPG on 44% FG, 41% 3PT and 81% FT splits. Coach Price wants to see the new additions build chemistry with each other and the returners, knowing that is the key to the team's success.
 
"The most important thing for us is going to be our chemistry," said Coach Price. "Anytime you bring in five guys with multiple returning guys, we have to stress that the quicker we learn to play together, the quicker we will be good."
 
Coach Price's team struggled in terms of scoring last season, ranking 10th in points per game (72.8 PPG) and last in three-point percentage (29.6%) in the Sunshine State Conference. The team also struggled defensively, giving up a conference-high 86.2 points per game, 50.8% opponent field goal percentage and 39.3% opponent three-point percentage. Despite that, Coach Price feels that the additions have a chance to help the perimeter shooting, as well as the defense after a strong showing in the preseason.
 
"We did not shoot the ball well last year, but going forward, I think having Kapic around the basket with some guys on the perimeter that can shoot the ball is a great combination," said Coach Price. "We've also shown signs of being a pretty good defensive team in the preseason."
 
Lynn also returns three key pieces from 2022-23 in guard Jalen Gilmore, forward Rickey Ballard and guard/forward Jamison Evans. The trio played at least 24 minutes per game individually last season and will be heavily involved in the rotation in 2023-24. Gilmore is one of the primary ball-handlers for the Fighting Knights and looks to build on his 8 points and 5 assists per game season last year. A 6'7 forward, Ballard averaged 6.1 points on 49.6% from the field and will be a key part of the forward rotation. Evans can play multiple positions, and the junior could be an important piece for Lynn down the stretch with his versatility.
 
"I think they have a chance to be really good," said Price. "They played a lot of minutes last year and got some great experience in our league, and I think their upside is very, very good."
 
The Fighting Knights also bring back guard Noah Kattan, guard JP Baron, guard Ryan Weeks and forward Mason Schwaber. The lone high-school signee of the 2023 class is forward Austin Vick. The 6'8 forward could be leaned on right away as one of the biggest players on the Fighting Knights' roster.
 
"These guys played a good bit of minutes last year," said Coach Price. "They're competitive kids, have great talent levels and show up to practice every day and work hard."
 
With a new season on the horizon, things are looking bright for Lynn. The rebuilding team has added some veteran leadership that could help the team take a leap to the next level. With that being said, Coach Price is looking for one thing: constant improvement as the season progresses.
 
"I think the key with our team is to just watch the team get better as the season goes on," said Coach Price. "I think if you see that trend, you're going to see a team with our experience that has a chance to be very good later in the season."
 
Lynn opens its season against Johnson University (FL) on Saturday, Nov. 11 in Boca Raton, Fla. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m.