Kimble, Clover give local flavor to SJU’s 2015 class

It’s been a big week for the future of Saint Joseph’s basketball, first receiving a verbal from 6′ point guard, LaMarr Kimble, then landing one from future backcourt mate, 6’4 guard/forward, Chris Clover, just two days later.

The Hawks of course finished this past season as Atlantic 10 Tournament Champions before coming up just short in the NCAA tournament to eventual National Champ, UConn. But shortly after that game ended came the sobering fact that the three-headed monster of Roberts Jr, Galloway and Kanacevic were soon to graduate, ushering in a new era of Hawks hoops.

DeAndre Bembry will no doubt headline that era but will need some help in getting back to another A-10 title game.

The Hawks will add four freshmen this upcoming season as well as redshirt frosh, Jai Williams. Williams came to town with Bembry in 2013 but will see his first action this November.

Phil Martelli has one scholarship left to fill with his 2015 class but is off to a strong start with the duo of Kimble and Clover.

Kimble opted for Saint Joseph’s over A-10 foes LaSalle and UMass and had an offer from Creighton on the table as well.

The Philly native went to Twitter to express how important staying home was in his decision.

“One of my things for staying local was that I just wanted to do something different and try to do something great for my city. I feel by my staying local, it shows other guys it’s not a bad thing. Other guys want to get out of the city, but staying in your city and doing something great for it I feel is a major accomplishment.”

The Hawks continued that local flavor by securing a verbal from Clover. Like Kimble, Clover spurned La Salle as well as fellow Big 5 member, Temple, in opting for Saint Joseph’s.

The rising junior will go from Saint Joseph’s Prep to Saint Joseph’s U after what he hopes will be another All-City performance after averaging 22 points per contest as a junior.