Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com
Davidson Announces 2014-15 Incoming Class
5/16/2014 11:28:00 AM | Men's Basketball
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Less than two months from officially joining the Atlantic 10 Conference, Davidson head men's basketball coach Bob McKillop recently announced that Peyton Aldridge (Warren, Ohio/Labrae), Nathan Ekwu (Enugu, Nigeria/Cardinal Hayes), Oskar Michelsen (Helsinki, Finland/ HBA-Marsky), Rusty Reigel (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Latin) and Jordan Watkins (Charlotte, N.C./Providence Day) have signed with the Wildcats for the 2014-15 season.
"They add significant versatility to our roster," commented McKillop. "They also come from championship-level teams and have played for terrific coaches. We know that we're adding skilled, smart and highly competitive players to our program. They are very excited to be coming to Davidson and helping our transition to such a nationally outstanding conference as the Atlantic 10. We will be counting upon them to help us immediately."
Aldridge, Reigel and Watkins signed with Davidson in November, while Ekwu and Michelsen were inked during the April period.
Peyton Aldridge
6-7, 205, Forward
Warren, Ohio/Labrae
High School Accomplishments
LaBrae's all-time leading scorer (1,735 points) and rebounder (1,016 rebounds) • Averaged 21.4 points, 14.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.8 steals per game in 2013-14 • Selected the District, County and Hardwood Starting 5 Player of the Year • A McDonald's All-American nominee • Participated in the Ohio North/South All-Star Game • Voted MVP of the Hope Classic Basketball Showcase, Play 4 Cancer and Dunk 4 Diabetes Tournaments • Played for Team Work AAU team, directed by Brian Bishop, who also coached current Wildcat Brian Sullivan • Lettered in football and baseball • Also excels in the classroom carrying a 4.0 GPA the last three years.
Personal
Full name is Peyton James Aldridge • Born November 10, 1995 • Son of Rick and Lisa Aldridge • Has one sibling, Courtney.
Nathan Ekwu
6-7, 235, Forward
Enugu, Nigeria/Cardinal Hayes
High School Accomplishments
Recipient of Cardinal Hayes' Best Student-Athlete Award • Named All-Metro Honorable Mention following his senior campaign • Also selected to the MSG Varsity New York City Second-Team • Averaged 16 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks in his final season • An honors student in the classroom.
Personal
Full name is Chinedu Nathan Ekwu • Born August 31, 1995 • Son of Sunday and Rose Ekwu • Has three siblings, Theophilus, Chigozie and Chidnmma.
Oskar Michelsen
6-9, 210, Small Forward
Helsinki, Finland/ HBA-Marsky
High School Accomplishments
Captain of the U-18 Finnish National Team in 2013 • Named to Finland's National Team 26-player roster in 2014 • Two-time MVP of the Nordic Championships • Scoring champion of Finland's first division averaging 20.6 points during the 2013-14 season.
Personal
Full name is Oskar Alexander Michelsen • Born May 24, 1995 • Son of Kalle Michelsen and Kirsi Hietanen • Has two brothers, Alvar and Otto.
Rusty Reigel
6-2, 190, Guard
Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Latin
High School Accomplishments
Team captain as a senior for Coach Chris Berger • A two-time all-state and three-time all-conference performer • Averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds during the 2013-14 season • Played for ProSkills AAU team coached by former Davidson standout Brendan Winters, '05.
Personal
Full name is Ross Goode Reigel • Born December 19, 1995 • Son of Ernie and Beth Reigel • Has two siblings, Will and Rebecca Jane • Both parents attended Davidson and graduated in 1980 • Father (1976-80) and brother (2008-12) played basketball for the Wildcats and lettered four years.
Jordan Watkins
6-1, 160, Guard
Charlotte, N.C./Providence Day
High School Accomplishments
Four-year letterwinner and three-time captain for Coach Brian Field • Selected to the all-state team following his junior and senior campaigns • Also a three-time all-conference selection • A 1,000-point scorer • Recipient of two tournament MVP awards • Teammate of Rusty Reigel's on ProSkills AAU team coached by former Davidson standout Brendan Winters, '05.
Personal
Full name is Jordan JaVaughnte Watkins • Born December 23, 1994 • Son of Shealton and Kirisa Watkins.
"They add significant versatility to our roster," commented McKillop. "They also come from championship-level teams and have played for terrific coaches. We know that we're adding skilled, smart and highly competitive players to our program. They are very excited to be coming to Davidson and helping our transition to such a nationally outstanding conference as the Atlantic 10. We will be counting upon them to help us immediately."
Aldridge, Reigel and Watkins signed with Davidson in November, while Ekwu and Michelsen were inked during the April period.
Peyton Aldridge
6-7, 205, Forward
Warren, Ohio/Labrae
High School Accomplishments
LaBrae's all-time leading scorer (1,735 points) and rebounder (1,016 rebounds) • Averaged 21.4 points, 14.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.8 steals per game in 2013-14 • Selected the District, County and Hardwood Starting 5 Player of the Year • A McDonald's All-American nominee • Participated in the Ohio North/South All-Star Game • Voted MVP of the Hope Classic Basketball Showcase, Play 4 Cancer and Dunk 4 Diabetes Tournaments • Played for Team Work AAU team, directed by Brian Bishop, who also coached current Wildcat Brian Sullivan • Lettered in football and baseball • Also excels in the classroom carrying a 4.0 GPA the last three years.
Personal
Full name is Peyton James Aldridge • Born November 10, 1995 • Son of Rick and Lisa Aldridge • Has one sibling, Courtney.
Nathan Ekwu
6-7, 235, Forward
Enugu, Nigeria/Cardinal Hayes
High School Accomplishments
Recipient of Cardinal Hayes' Best Student-Athlete Award • Named All-Metro Honorable Mention following his senior campaign • Also selected to the MSG Varsity New York City Second-Team • Averaged 16 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks in his final season • An honors student in the classroom.
Personal
Full name is Chinedu Nathan Ekwu • Born August 31, 1995 • Son of Sunday and Rose Ekwu • Has three siblings, Theophilus, Chigozie and Chidnmma.
Oskar Michelsen
6-9, 210, Small Forward
Helsinki, Finland/ HBA-Marsky
High School Accomplishments
Captain of the U-18 Finnish National Team in 2013 • Named to Finland's National Team 26-player roster in 2014 • Two-time MVP of the Nordic Championships • Scoring champion of Finland's first division averaging 20.6 points during the 2013-14 season.
Personal
Full name is Oskar Alexander Michelsen • Born May 24, 1995 • Son of Kalle Michelsen and Kirsi Hietanen • Has two brothers, Alvar and Otto.
Rusty Reigel
6-2, 190, Guard
Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Latin
High School Accomplishments
Team captain as a senior for Coach Chris Berger • A two-time all-state and three-time all-conference performer • Averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds during the 2013-14 season • Played for ProSkills AAU team coached by former Davidson standout Brendan Winters, '05.
Personal
Full name is Ross Goode Reigel • Born December 19, 1995 • Son of Ernie and Beth Reigel • Has two siblings, Will and Rebecca Jane • Both parents attended Davidson and graduated in 1980 • Father (1976-80) and brother (2008-12) played basketball for the Wildcats and lettered four years.
Jordan Watkins
6-1, 160, Guard
Charlotte, N.C./Providence Day
High School Accomplishments
Four-year letterwinner and three-time captain for Coach Brian Field • Selected to the all-state team following his junior and senior campaigns • Also a three-time all-conference selection • A 1,000-point scorer • Recipient of two tournament MVP awards • Teammate of Rusty Reigel's on ProSkills AAU team coached by former Davidson standout Brendan Winters, '05.
Personal
Full name is Jordan JaVaughnte Watkins • Born December 23, 1994 • Son of Shealton and Kirisa Watkins.
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