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2024-25 MBB Signees Trio - FRONT

Men's Basketball Greg Hartlage, Director of Media Relations

Craft Adds Trio to 2024-25 Roster

CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Western Carolina first-year head men's basketball coach Tim Craft this week announced the addition of three student-athletes to the Catamount roster for the 2024-25 season including a pair of transfers and one incoming freshman. Redshirt sophomore guard Cord Stansberry (Pepperdine) and 6-10 classmate forward Chase McKey (Marshall) are joined by incoming freshman Fischer Brown (Wasatch Academy) in signing with Craft at WCU.

These three newcomers join incoming freshman CJ Hyland (Loganville, Ga.) who signed with WCU back in November's early period and recommitted to Craft's staff. The foursome adds to the Catamount roster join the four players who have stated that they plan to return for the 2024-25 season – redshirt senior forward Bernard Pelote, redshirt sophomore forward Marcus Kell, redshirt sophomore wing Cinque Lemon and redshirt freshman guard Kamari Jones.

Stansberry comes to Cullowhee after spending the past two seasons at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., where he saw action in 32 games, all coming in the 2023-24 season. The Bermuda Dunes, Calif., native posted four double-figure scoring outputs including a season-high 12 points in 23 minutes last November against UC Irvine. Stansberry also closed the year red-hot with three double figure scoring outputs down the stretch with 11 points against Loyola Marymount and 10 points against both St. Mary's and Pacific.

Before his time at Pepperdine, Stansberry was a four-year standout at Shadow Hills High in Indio, Calif., where he earned 2022 Desert Sun Player of the Year honors. He was named the co-MVP of the Desert Empire League as he averaged 20 points, eight rebounds, and four assists during his senior season.

McKey joins the Catamounts after spending the past three seasons at Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va. He saw action in 23 games over his time with the Thundering Herd including 18 games in his freshman season. McKey's best offensive showing was a nine-point performance during his debut season with Marshall and he also had a pair of five-rebound efforts coming against Milligan and FIU.

Ahead of his time at Marshall, McKey prepped at John's Creek High and The Skill Factory (TSF) in central Georgia, winning a prep national championship at TSF. He was a first-team all-region selection for the program averaging 13 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in high school. He went on to average a double-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists during his prep season. McKey's father, Derrick, spent 15 years in the NBA spending time with the Indiana Pacers, Seattle SuperSonics, and the Philadelphia 76ers as an all-rookie selection and a two-time all-defensive team honoree.

Brown comes to Cullowhee with a reputation as one of the best shooters in high school basketball. Originally from Lewistown, Montana, he earned the MVP of the Larry Hughes Elite Camp. Brown averaged 12 points per game while shooting 46% from the floor, 43% from beyond the 3-point arc, and connecting on over 93% of his free throws attempts at the Wasatch Academy in Utah, a member of the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference (NIBC), a conference including the likes of IMG Academy and Oak Hill Academy.

As a junior, Brown led Lewistown High to a state championship with an average of 23 points, seven rebounds, and three steals per game while posting a 43% 3-point percentage. Brown totaled a career-high 54 points against Hardin while winning the Montana Basketball Player of the Year honors.

Keep track of everything related to Catamount men's basketball and WCU Athletics through our social media outlets on Facebook (fb.com/catamountsports), Instagram (@catamountmbb @wcu_catamounts), and Twitter (@CatamountMBB @catamounts).
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Players Mentioned

Marcus Kell

#23 Marcus Kell

F
6' 8"
Sophomore
Cinque Lemon

#12 Cinque Lemon

W
6' 7"
Redshirt Freshman
Bernard Pelote

#4 Bernard Pelote

F
6' 8"
Redshirt Junior
Kamari Jones

#24 Kamari Jones

G
6' 4"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Marcus Kell

#23 Marcus Kell

6' 8"
Sophomore
F
Cinque Lemon

#12 Cinque Lemon

6' 7"
Redshirt Freshman
W
Bernard Pelote

#4 Bernard Pelote

6' 8"
Redshirt Junior
F
Kamari Jones

#24 Kamari Jones

6' 4"
Freshman
G