Loch Sheldrake - Although the 2010-2011 college basketball season tip-off is a couple of months away, the basketball buzz begins months earlier once the eligible basketball crop of new players comes to harvest. Well, the buzz at SUNY Sullivan was loud and crystal clear when it became official Monday (Aug. 23) that local basketball star Cleanthony Early (Pine Bush, NY) was going to join friend and fellow-teammate and roommate Marvin Jean (Monroe, NY) as the newest members of the SUNY Sullivan Generals.
Chris DePew, SUNY Sullivan’s Director of Athletics, had learned only a few days ago that Early had intentions of enrolling at the college. With his official acceptance, DePew could only begin to imagine what it will mean to have Early play with the Generals.
"It’s vitally important for us here at SUNY Sullivan," DePew said, " to attract and keep the top local talent home. With Cleanthony and Marvin joining our program, we accomplish that goal, as well as our goal to once again compete… and win… a national championship right on our home court."
Former Pine Bush star Early, a 6-8 small forward, averaged 20 points and 10.8 rebounds for the Bushmen as a senior. He attracted much attention from Div. I schools but opted to enroll at Mt. Zion Christian Academy, a nationally known prep school in North Carolina, to improve his GPA and test scores. Early lit up the boards at Mt. Zion, with 24 points and 11 rebounds a game.
Despite the continued interest of some east coast Division I colleges, Early thought it best to enroll at SUNY Sullivan where he will continue to work on his academic performance as well as hone his basketball skills for a team with a solid history of bringing players up to their next level of play.
Early might have been rivals with the Monroe Crusader’s Marvin Jean, but that was then. After playing together AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) for Orange County’s BC Eagles, Jean and Early made basketball history together at Mt. Zion. Jean, a 6-4 shooting guard, was the prep school’s second-leading scorer, averaging 20 points per game.
Both Early and Jean were named Varsity845 boys’ basketball second-team all-stars when they were high school seniors. They will be playing for SUNY Sullivan’s head coach Kevin DeVantier.
If DePew is excited about the prospects for the 2010-2011 season, DeVantier is ecstatic. "I am more than just excited to have Cleanthony and Marvin play for us. By having them pick us over other colleges speaks volumes about our program. It goes without saying that Cleanthony and Marvin will have a major impact on the team. They will be the spark that inspires the other players on the team."
The SUNY Generals have developed a winning program (four national titles in 10 tourney trips) that’s attracted local, state and national attention.
Looking ahead, SUNY Sullivan scored another coup. The college will host the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) Division III Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament in March. Eight teams will play over three-days to determine the National Champion.
