Citadel's 1st-year coach Driesell adds transfers

Chuck Driesell's first Citadel basketball team will have a markedly different roster than Ed Conroy's final Bulldogs squad.

Driesell announced Wednesday the transfer of a second post player for the Bulldogs, 7-footer Morakinyo Williams of Duquesne University.

Williams, who started his college career at Kentucky, comes in as a graduate student with two years of eligibility, joining 6-11 center Mike Dejworek from Belmont University. Dejworek, also a grad student, will have one season to play at The Citadel.

Also Wednesday, former Pinewood Prep star Kenny Manigault confirmed to The Post and Courier that he will transfer to The Citadel from Wichita State. Manigault, a 6-4 guard, must sit out the 2010-2011 season and will have three years to play for the Bulldogs.

Williams, a native of Solihull, England, played at Bishop Ireton High

School in Alexandria, Va., where Driesell coached from 2004-2006.

"Having known Morakinyo since his sophomore year in high school, I know we are getting a young man with a great work ethic and strong desire to be successful both on and off the court," Driesell said.

Last year at Duquesne, Williams played in 22 games and averaged 2.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. Recruited to Kentucky by Tubby Smith out of high school, Williams appeared in just five games as a Wildcats freshman in 2007-08.

Williams also played for the Great Britain U-20 team in the summer of 2008, averaging 6 points and 4.8 rebounds, including 14 points in a win over Finland.

Williams and Dejworek will add much-needed height to the roster Driesell inherited from Conroy, who was hired by Tulane last April.

That Bulldogs roster features senior guards Cameron Wells, Zach Urbanus and Austin Dahn and 6-6 forward Bryan Streeter.

The Bulldogs also will welcome at least two freshmen -- 6-6 forward Barry Smith, recruited by Driesell, and 5-11 point guard Devontae Wright of Goose Creek, who was signed by Conroy.

Manigault, who was recruited out of Pinewood Prep to Wichita State by former Winthrop coach Gregg Marshall, will have to sit out one season before becoming eligible for the 2011-2012 season.

"I just like the brotherhood of The Citadel, and I like the new coaching staff," said Manigault, who averaged 1.6 points and played in 16 games for the 25-10 Shockers last season. "They seem pretty cool, and I will be right here at home, where my family can come to all the games."

There also are some Bulldogs leaving the program. Forward Harrison DuPont already has transferred to UC Davis, and forwards Tom Fitzpatrick and Tristan Tremblay apparently are also leaving.

NEW BULLDOGS

Name Ht. Pos. Comment

Morakinyo Williams 7-0 C Transfer from Duquesne

Mike Dejworek 6-11 C Transfer from Belmont

Barry Smith 6-6 F Freshman signee

Devontae Wright 5-11 G Freshman from Goose Creek

Kenny Manigault 6-4 G Transfer from Wichita State*

*Eligible in 2011-2012