Alexander Announces Addition of Two More to Pacer Men’s Basketball Program

AIKEN, S.C. – USC Aiken head men’s basketball coach Vince Alexander announced on Tuesday the addition of Kyle Cannon and Re’mon Nelson.

Cannon is transferring to USC Aiken from Oklahoma, while Nelson joins the Pacer men’s basketball program out of Canal Winchester High School in Canal Winchester, Ohio. Cannon has two years of eligibility left.

The duo is part of three to sign with the Pacers thus far with Byron Faison joining the men’s basketball program at USC Aiken after playing at Winthrop for his first two seasons. Faison also has two years of eligibility remaining.

“Both of these players in addition to Byron Faison will help our program to stay at the level that we have played at over the last two seasons,” remarked Alexander.

Cannon played in just nine games last year for the Sooners, averaging 1.9 points per game and 6.8 minutes per game in the nine outings.

Prior to Oklahoma, Cannon was at San Jacinto Junior College for two seasons. During his freshman season the Texas Junior College, Cannon averaged 16.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game en route to all-region honors. His stellar play helped the Ravens to a 23-8 record.

His efforts during his freshman campaign allowed him to enter his sophomore season at San Jacinto as a member of the 2007 National Junior College Athletic Association Preseason All-America first team.

Cannon was injured just four games into his sophomore year. The injury ended his season.

A top 10 Junior College recruit according to Mike Mitchell of Midwest Scouting Service, Cannon chose Oklahoma over Arizona State, Nebraska and South Florida.

The 6-foot-8 forward was described by Mitchell prior to signing with the Sooners as a “very versatile and skilled offensive player … he can score inside and out and a he’s a threat beyond the three-point line.”

Junior College recruiting analyst Jerry Mullen echoed Mitchell’s statements, noting “Kyle’s a very crafty player who can score inside and out. He has a knack for scoring over bigger people and is just a really smart player.”

Prior to his time at San Jacinto and Oklahoma, Cannon attended prep school Worcester (Mass.) Academy for the 2005-06 school year. On a team with five NCAA Division I basketball players, Cannon averaged 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.0 steals per game.

Cannon averaged 17.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game as a senior in high school at Towson Catholic High School in Baltimore, Md.

“Kyle is the type of player that will make an immediate impact not only with our program but in the Peach Belt Conference,” said Alexander. “He is an extremely talented individual who despite his size has the skills of a guard. He is unique in that he can beat you off the dribble or on the block. He is very difficult to defend. He is one of the most talented individuals to enter our program.”

A four-year varsity starter, Nelson scored over 1,000 points in high school. Last year as a senior at Canal Winchester High School, Nelson averaged 16.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. His efforts led to him being named All-Midstate league and All-Central district.

Nelson spent his first three seasons of high school at Harvest Prep. During his junior year in 2006-07, the 5-foot-10 Nelson was tabbed the MSL Player of the Year and to the All-League first team. He was also chosen to the All-Ohio second team after helping his team to a perfect 19-0 regular season record.

“Re’mon is a strong, athletic point who can shoot and take you off of the dribble,” noted Alexander. “He also has a uncanny ability to create shots for his teammates. He is not just an offensive player though as he is also a great defender.”

Cannon and Faison join a USC Aiken men’s basketball program that under the guidance of Alexander have become a national force in NCAA Division II over the past couple of seasons.

The Pacers have won a school record 52 games over the last two years with the 2007-08 USC Aiken men’s basketball team winning the Peach Belt Conference Regular Season Championship and the 2008-09 Pacer men’s basketball team advancing farther than any other squad in program history to the NCAA Division II “Sweet Sixteen.”

The Pacers have been especially strong in the friendly confines of the Convocation Center where they are currently 27-1 during the regular season over the past two seasons.

USC Aiken is 19-1 against PBC opposition during the regular season inside the Convocation Center since it opened its doors prior to the start of the 2007-08 season.