Basketball

UMaine men’s basketball continues to add to frontcourt depth

Published

6 months ago

June 22, 2024

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UMaine men’s basketball continues to add to frontcourt depth

With the start of unofficial practices coming up this July, head coach Chris Markwood is busy adding the finishing touches to the University of Maine men’s basketball team’s roster.

In May, UMaine signed forwards from Appalachian State and the University of New Hampshire via the transfer portal, and have recently added 6-foot-7 true freshman Amare Allen of CODE Sports Academy in Toronto and 6-foot-10 junior Killian Gribben of Siena University.

Markwood is excited about the defensive versatility and scoring potential that Allen and Gribben can add to UMaine’s frontcourt, which was heavily depleted by the departures of senior starters Peter Filipovity and Ja’Shonte Wright-McLeish among three other forwards this offseason.

“We’d been following [Allen] all year. We really like his knack for scoring, and ability to guard quicker guys,” Markwood said. “He’s a wing that can make shots from all three levels, can rebound and could be a really good player down the road.”

Due to his relative inexperience, Allen will likely be slotted behind senior wings Chris Mantis, AJ Lopez and Quion Burns in UMaine’s depth chart. Mantis averaged 5.3 points and 16.2 minutes per game for Appalachian State last season; Lopez (8.6 points, 20.9 minutes) and Burns (6.4 points, 16.8 minutes) were key bench players for the Black Bears last year.

Gribben, meanwhile, will contend with 6-10 sophomores Ridvan Tutic and Keelan Steele for playing time. Both Tutic (transfer from UNH) and Steele were sidelined by injuries last year, so Gribben could be UMaine’s go-to starting center to begin the 2024-25 season.

The Irishman averaged 4.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 32 games (18 starts; 22.0 minutes per game) for the Saints last year. He’ll be able to replicate the defensive physicality and experience that fifth-year Adam Cisse brought to the table last season, after transferring from Manhattan College.

UMaine men’s basketball’s 2023-24 starting five from left to right: Ja’Shonte Wright McLeish, Jaden Clayton, Kellen Tynes, Peter Filipovity and Adam Cisse. Pictured during a timeout versus Brown University at The Pit on Dec. 3, 2023. Guards Clayton and Tynes are UMaine’s only returning starters at the moment, pending Cisse’s application for a sixth year of eligibility. (Courtesy of Seth Poplaski)

Cisse (21 starts, 16.8 mpg, 3.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.4 blocks) has spent the last two months appealing to the NCAA for another year of eligibility due to past injury and pandemic-related restrictions, but will likely have his application denied.

“Adam’s done unless something drastic changes. He’s looking at playing professionally in China,” Markwood said. “[Gribben] has the length, scoring ability and experience to help [us] right away.”

With these moves for Allen and Gribben processed, UMaine has one scholarship left to offer, which is in the process of being filled by a true freshman yet to be named.

“I feel really good about our frontcourt,” Markwood said.