By Sayo Jolayemi | Staff Writer
A lot of buzz has been centered around Xavier’s five-man freshman class, which has fed the program with serious talent. Let’s dive into what each of the players can offer.
KyKy Tandy stands at 6-foot-2 and has the make-up of a dominant point guard. As a four-star prospect from Hopkinsville, Ky., Tandy notched 3,363 points throughout his time at University Heights Academy, the eighth most in Kentucky high school basketball history. He averaged nearly 27 points per game and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Tandy’s vertical is exceptional, and it allows him to get shots up while rising over defenders. He can also cut through the lane to finish with an emphatic dunk, as he put on display on his high school highlight tape.
Dahmir Bishop joins the Musketeers from Philadelphia, Pa. His 6-foot-5 frame and impressive hustle will make an impact on the court. Bishop blossomed in his last two years of high school, receiving First Team All-State honors in both his junior and senior years. During his senior season, he averaged 12 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game on an Imhotep Institute squad that won the PIAA Class AAAA State Championship.
Zach Freemantle, from Teaneck, N.J., stands at 6-foot-9 with an athletic frame. He spent all four of his high school years at Bergen Catholic High School. Throughout the course of his high school career, he evolved into a four-star recruit and a top-100 player. His high school resume was capped by senior year lines of 17 points per game, 10.5 rebounds per game and 2 blocks per game.
Dieonte Miles hails from nearby Walton, Ky., just a short 35-minute drive from Xavier’s campus. At 6-foot-11, he is the tallest member of the Xavier freshman class. Miles averaged 14.7 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game and 4 blocks per game as a senior at Walton-Verona High School.
Known for his shot blocking ability, Miles batted away 350 shots throughout the course of his high school career, the most in program history. As a senior, he notched numerous accolades, including First Team All-State, and was a candidate for Kentucky’s “Mr. Basketball” award.
Daniel Ramsey is a four-star recruit from Cordele, Ga. At 6-foot-9, Ramsey is a versatile forward who can accomplish a lot offensively. As a senior at Norcross High School, he posted 9.5 points per game and 5 rebounds per game.
Xavier has an intriguing crop of freshmen, and fans should be eager to watch them perform at Cintas Center.