GREENVILLE, N.C. – The East Carolina men’s basketball team held its annual local media day on Thursday afternoon in the practice gym of Smith-Williams Center as anticipation continues to build with the 2024-25 season opener just 26 days away.
Third-year head coach Michael Schwartz began the media day festivities with an opening presser talking about the strong culture and chemistry that this year’s group has established in the offseason. Following the presser, players and assistant coaches were made available to the media.
“Really love this team and this coaching staff,” Schwartz said. “This has been a great team to coach. Summer and preseason training camp has been really good and we’re just excited to take the next step.”
East Carolina returns seven players from its 2023-24 roster, headlined by all-conference senior guard RJ Felton, who is the team’s leading returning scorer with 17.3 points per game last year. The team also brings back senior guard Cam Hayes, sophomore bigs Cyr Malonga and Callum Richard, sophomore wing Bencao Vungo, sophomore guard Evan Montanari and junior forward Grant Smith.
The Pirates added most of their new faces via the portal with six of the nine new faces being transfers in Julien Soumaoro, C.J. Walker, Jordan Riley, Yann Farell, Jayshayne Woodard and Trevion LaBeaux. ECU also brings three freshmen in Ladontae Felton, Tybo Bailey and Reid Cason.
East Carolina will tip-off the 2024-25 season on Nov. 4 against N.C. Wesleyan at 7 p.m. inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.