Men’s Basketball Finishes with Winning Record
(April 9, 2024) -- The Men’s Varsity Basketball Team finished the season with a winning record of 25–5, dominating on home court with a record of 14–1. The Bears excelled in rebounding throughout the season, finishing third nationally with an average of 46.7 rebounds per game. On the defensive glass, they ranked fourth with 31.6 defensive rebounds per game. Nick Jones led the team in scoring and steals, averaging 16.0 points per game and 1.8 steals per game. Ebe Ogoh led the team in rebounding and blocks with an average of 6.8 rebounds per game and 2.1 blocks per game. Kendall Allen led the team in assists, averaging 4.4 per game. Despite winning the top seed in the NJCAA D1 East District Tournament, they fell to Harford Community College 75–67 to conclude their season.
Program History Despite its relatively short history, the Men's Basketball program has a strong tradition of success in both victories on the court and placement of its student-athletes to NCAA programs. Harcum is the only NJCAA Division I men's basketball program in Pennsylvania and NJCAA Region XIX. Under the leadership of Head Coach Drew Kelly, the program began in 2005. In the 17 seasons since, the Bears have compiled a remarkable 429 wins against just 102 defeats, giving the program an all time winning percentage of .808. Harcum has finished in the top ten nationally five times (twice in the top five). Harcum has won at least 20 games in every season since the program started in 2005. The 2021-22 team tied the school record for wins a season, finishing 32-3 and advancing the NJCAA Division I Elite 8 in Hutchinson, Kansas. Six players fromthe 2021-22 team signed with NCAA Division I programs. The 2013-14 Harcum Bears won a school record 32 games and advanced to the NJCAA Division I final four in Hutchinson, Kansas. Five players from the 2013-14 squad signed with NCAA Division I programs. The 2009-2010 season was another record setting season, as the Bears won 25 consecutive games and captured the nation's #1 ranking in the NJCAA Division I poll for the first time in school history, in the process becoming the first Region XIX team to be ranked #1 since 1974. Six players from the class of 2010 signed with NCAA Division I programs. Harcum basketball alumni have transferred to some of the top NCAA Division I programs in the nation. Harcum graduates can be found on rosters in the Big 12, Atlantic 10, Mid-American Conference, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, Western Athletic Conference, and the Mid-Eastern Athletic conference. Recent transfers currently on NCAA rosters include Nick Brennen (Manhattan College), Abdou Tsimbala (Fordham University), Oluwasegun Durosinmi (Northern Illinois University), Louis Bleechmore (St. Joe’s University), Mohamed Wague (West Virginia University), Yazid Powell (University of Buffalo), Tre Dinkins (Canisius College), Derrius Ward (University of Texas Rio Grande Valley), and Abdul Shanunu (Delaware State University).
Link to Harcum's NJCAA Homepage
Link to NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball Poll