PAYTON HENSON, Forward
Head coach John Becker said Henson’s greatest attribute is his ability to stretch the court and get to the basket. “He can score at all three levels,” Becker said. “He’s a really smart player, very dependable, and I think he’s got a chance to be really really good.” Henson was teammates with Hearlihy during his two-year tenure at Tulane University.
The Arkansas native was a key contributor for the Green Wave, averaging 18 minutes per game off the bench as a sophomore and racking up seven double digit scoring efforts over both season, according to UVM athletics. Henson played high school hoops at Siloam Springs in Arkansas and set the school record with 2,239 career points, according to UVM athletics.
JOSH HEARLIHY, Guard/Forward
Coming out of Harvard-Westlake in Los Angeles, California, Hearlihy was a coveted recruit on the West Coast. He attended Northfield Mount Hermon where he averaged 11 points and 6 rebounds per game and helped the Hoggers capture a Prep National Championship, according to UVM athletics.
Hearlihy is one of many NMH products that have joined the Catamounts in recent years. Head Coach John Becker said Hearlihy is able to play almost any position on the floor. “He’s less of a scorer and more of a glue guy and a facilitator so I think [he’ll] be a huge part of our success this year,” Becker said. Hearlihy signed with the University of Utah, however after deciding to attend Prep school, the Utes withdrew their offer.
He took his talents to Tulane University in 2013, where the Los-Angeles native spent two seasons. After sitting out the 2015- 2016 season, Hearlihy will be making his Catamount debut Oct. 29 against the University of Quebec at Montreal.
ANTHONY LAMB, Forward
Despite the usual learning curve that every first-year has the overcome, Coach Becker believes Anthony Lamb has the talent to make an impact on the team immediately.
“Anthony has stood out as the most ready to play first-year. He’s a talented, extremely hard working, intelligent player and [the game] will start to slow down for him,” Becker said. Before UVM, Lamb was a standout at Greece Athena High School in Rochester, New York. The two-time Greater Rochester Player of the Year and New York State Mr. Basketball finalist averaged 30 points and 17 rebounds during his senior season with the Trojans, according to UVM athletics.
KIAN DALYRIMPLE, Guard
Dalyrimple is one of the youngest players in the American East conference at 17-years old. He enters the season with a “chip on his shoulder,” though he said he is trying not to focus on his age, but rather improving his game everyday.
“I want to prove myself,” Dalyrimple said. “I know I can have a great career here and do a lot of big things for the school and Vermont. I have to keep working and keep being patient with myself, but never get complacent.”
The New York native is a talented shooter who can rebound and hit shots from behind the three point line. As a senior at Half Hollow Hills West on Long Island, Dalyrimple sunk 73 triples and averaged over 18 points per game, according to UVM athletics.
BEN SHUNGU, Guard
When discussing recent high school basketball talent in Vermont, Ben Shungu tops the list. The two-time Burlington Free Press Mr. Basketball selection and three-time state champion at Rice Memorial High School has proved he can be a dominating force on the court. But Shungu said he isn’t letting the accolades get to his head.
“Every day there is something to improve, and every day you got to work hard,” he said. “I came to college with the mindset of ‘you’re an underdog again so you have to work your way up to get your respect.” In his senior year at Rice, Shungu averaged 21.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.2 steals per game, according to UVM athletics. At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, Shungu says staying focused and adjusting to the new system will be essential to adjusting to the collegiate level of play. “College is better competition, so I’m just following our veterans and the advice they’re giving us.”
JOSH SPEIDEL, Forward
Sixteen months after suffering a traumatic brain injury from a car crash, Josh Speidel has joined his teammates at UVM. The NCAA granted the 6-foot-7 forward a waiver to participate with the team this season without using a year of eligibility.
The Indiana native was one of the premier high school basketball players in the state, and Head Coach Becker told The Republic that Speidel was “the best player I’ve ever recruited.” Speidel said his biggest goal is to one day step on the court and play for the Catamounts. “Until that time, I’ll support my team in any way I can,” he said.
