TIFFIN, Ohio - Head coach Tom Church and Tiffin men's basketball have announced the additions of five transfers to the program for the 2019-20 season.
The Dragons will add four juco transfers in Dalaino Walker (Cleveland State CC), Jamaal Clifton (Allen CC), Brevin Brimble (Lamar CC), and Ian Kelly (Trinidad State JC), as well as one Division II transfer with Peghuentz Pericles from Upper Iowa University.
Walker, a 6'5" forward, will come in as a junior. At Cleveland State, he averaged 16 points per game and seven rebounds per game, and was named First Team All-District and the MVP of the Region VII Tournament. "From the moment I stepped on campus I knew this was the place for me because it felt like home," said Walker. "They offer, both academically and athletically, exactly what I was looking for in a University."
"Dalaino is a player that we targeted very early on in our recruiting efforts and we could not be happier to add him," said Church. "The versatility he will bring offensively in our system is something that will be sorely needed and we see him being a big piece to the puzzle moving forward. We are not only getting a great basketball player but also a great young man."
Clifton is a 6'7" forward and is also transferring in as a junior. He averaged eight points per game and five rebounds per game at Allen. "Everyone at Tiffin made it feel like home from the time I got there on my visit until the time I left," said Clifton. "Coach Church and Coach Hensley are the perfect coaches for my style of play."
"Jamaal is going to be a player that fits extremely well with our style and what we want to accomplish on both ends of the floor," said Church. "Our up-tempo style and defensive full court pressure were tailored made for Jamaal's length and athleticism. Jamaal has the ability to guard every position on the floor and he is going to create a lot of excitement with our crowd the way he plays above the rim."
Brimble will be transferring in as a redshirt sophomore and is a 5'11" guard. While at Lamar, he averaged 16 points per game and four assists per game, while being named Honorable Mention All-Region 9. "I was amazed with Coach Church's energy and the family-like atmosphere with the team and University," said Brimble. "I just felt like I would fit in immediately and went with my gut feeling."
"Brevin is a competitor who has won at every level he has played at and I am anticipating big things from him in our program," said Church. "He will have three years in our program and I am excited to see what he is capable of within our fast-paced style. Brevin is going to create a lot of problems for our opponents with his ability to play off the bounce as well as being able to shoot the ball so well. Brevin comes from a basketball family and has a high IQ for the game and I cannot wait to see him in a Dragon uniform."
Kelly comes in as a 6'5" junior forward. He averaged 11 points per game and five rebounds per game at Trinidad State, and was named to the All-Region IX team. "I love the coaching staff and they really made things feel like a family," said Kelly. "The school felt like home from the minute I stepped on campus."
"Ian is the ultimate team player and I'm excited that he has chosen to be part of our family," said Church. "He is an extremely hard worker and is a player that is always in the gym working on his game. We want young men that value both their academics and the team and we know we are getting both with Ian. We look for Ian to give us added depth at the forward position for the next two years."
Last but not least, Pericles will come in as a 6'1" redshirt junior. A former Florida High School Mr. Basketball finalist, Pericles played for assistant coach Guy Hensley while in high school. "I chose Tiffin because I am excited about the direction the program is headed and I wanted to be part of building a culture of winning and making history," said Pericles.
"Peghuentz gives us a perimeter shooting threat that is sorely needed and I am excited for him to have some freedom in our open style of play," said Church. "He's someone that we will be able to count on pressing in the full court defensively but also be able to stretch the floor in the half-court and knock down shots in transition. Peghuentz played for Coach Hensley in high school so we are very familiar with what he is capable doing for our program."
A total of nine newcomers have been added for next season, as Church also announced two freshman signees today in addition to the pair of recruits that signed back in November.