ASHLAND, Ore. --- The SOU Men's Basketball squad added three more players to the 2020-21 class on Wednesday.
The Raiders bolstering their size by adding 6'8 forward Joe Juhala. Juhala comes from West Linn where he averaged 8.7 points and 6.2 rebounds in his senior season.
"We continue to get a bit more athletic each year and Joe will help with that a lot," said SOU head coach Brian McDermott. "He can get out and run the floor and is a bouncy big man that can get to the rim. He has a body that is college ready and we expect him to become a very solid rebounder at the college level and also give us the spacing that we have enjoyed for a number of years with big guys who can step behind the line."
The Raiders also added Northern Nevada Player of the Year Mason Whitaker. Whitaker is a 6'5 guard from Sparks, Nevada. Whitaker is a sharp-shooter who shot 40-percent from the 3-point line during his player of the year season.
"Mason will continue our tradition of having tall point guards with the ability to pass or score out of the post. He's one of the best passers we have seen in quite a while and will also help us replace some of the 3-point shooting we graduated. Defensively, he gives us the size at the perimeter positions that will allow us to switch more screens and guard pick and roll more effectively," said McDermott.
Finally, the Raiders signing Elijah Jackon, a 6'0 guard from Fallon, Nevada. Jackson avered 20 points, four assists, four rebounds, and three steals per game during his final season. Jackson is a clutch shooter. He nailed buzzer-beating 3-pointers to win the state title in two consecutive seasons.
"I'm very excited about coaching Elijah. He has many ways that he can be effective on the offensive end of the floor. For starters, his ability to get to the rim in the open floor in transition will be exciting and will create for others. While he can shoot the 3, his mid-range game is also very well developed. Elijah will also have the ability to play on or off the ball, allowing us great flexibility. Defensively, he adds to our athletic ability and will help us extend our defense up the floor more," said McDermott.
