Jerome Tang’s Kansas State basketball program continues adding crucial players to next season’s roster. On Monday top junior college (JUCO) transfer Nae’qwan Tomlin, and three-star high school recruit Dorian Finister announced their commitment.
The signees tick K-State’s roster up to seven scholarship players for the 2022-23 campaign, and the Wildcats could land another big one soon.
Nae’qwan Tomlin:
Nae’qwan Tomlin arrives at K-State averaging 11 points per game on a 54.1 percent field goal success rate at Chipola College. The sophomore from New York, New York, stands at 6 foot 8 inches, 195 pounds, and is expected to make an impact right away.
Tomlin emerged as one of the best forwards in JUCO basketball using his height and athleticism and could potentially contribute as a small forward for the Wildcats early on.
His high shooting percentage mostly came towards the rim but can also expand to a mid-range jump shot. However, three-point shooting stands as a challenge for Tomlin, as he shoots below 30 percent from behind the arc.
Still, the defensive slashing-forward serves valuable, while his offensive style of play creates a multitude of opportunities for the Wildcat offense. The unique ability screams similar to former player Mark Smith.
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Dorian Finister:
Coming out of Carver Collegiate Academy in New Orleans, Louisiana, Dorian Finister is expected to provide a valuable supporting role next season. Averaging 12.7 points per game on a 63.4 percent field goal rate and 43.8 percent from the three-point line, the sharpshooter adds depth to the Wildcat backcourt.
The efficient scorer also averaged 7.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists over one block and one steal per game for the Academy. The versatility could strengthen K-State’s overall success on the offensive and defensive ends.
With the new roster aiding toward athleticism and aggressiveness, Finister’s chance to shine is likely through his shooting. The Wildcats lost shooting guard Nijel Pack from this past season’s team, and Jerome Tang needs someone to pick up the slack from behind the arc.
Hopeful Recruit: Antoine Davis
As one of the greatest scorers in college basketball history, Detroit Mercy senior Antoine Davis would be a huge lift for K-State if he chooses Manhattan, Kansas, as his home.
Following his visit to K-State’s campus in April, Davis narrowed his choices down to five teams: Detroit Mercy (current team), K-State, BYU, Georgetown and Maryland. The Birmingham, Alabama-native received a warm welcome from Wildcat fans during his visit, while other fans flooded his Twitter comment section in support and persuasion.
Averaging 23.9 points per game on a 40.6 field goal percentage and 36.4 percent from the 3-point line, Davis achieved the status of 22nd highest scorer in men’s college basketball history with 2,734 all-time points. A commitment would bring a whole new level to the Wildcats.
Looking Ahead:
Each commit highlights unique talents to the team and allows Tang’s squad to jell for success. Whether it’s Tomlin’s athleticism or Finister’s shooting, each signing acts as a discovery of a missing puzzle piece.
While Davis hasn’t committed anywhere yet, K-State faithful are hopeful he’ll announce his decision in the coming weeks. The announcement could open a whole new portal for the Wildcats, as great players love playing with other successful athletes.
