BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Head coach Robbie Laing has announced the addition of five more players to the 2008 Campbell University men's basketball recruiting class. Jabril Bailey (New Castle, Del.), Matt Gwynne (Angier, N.C.), William Kossangue (Banqui, Central Africa), Miles Taylor (Pensacola, Fla.) and Chad Thompson (St. Louis, Mo.) will join three early signees in an eight-man class.

Gwynne is 6-foot-10 transfer from Tennessee-Chattanooga, who will have two years of eligibility remaining. Bailey has three years of eligibility after transferring from Cecil (Md.) Community College, which was ranked number-one nationally in the NJCAA Division II ratings. Kossangue joins CU from Tyler (Texas) Junior College. Taylor is a transfer from Pensacola JC, while Thompson comes from Moberly (Mo.) Area Community College.

That quintet of performers will join three high school graduates – two of whom led their teams to state titles – from Campbell's early signee list. Amir Celestin led Miami Norland High School to its second state crown in three years. Chris Reynolds led Augusta Glenn Hills High School to 24-consecutive victories and the Georgia 3-A state championship. P.J. Meyers guided Augusta (Ga.) Josey High School to a Region 2-A runner-up showing and a 26-4 record this winter. Reynolds and Meyers were also teammates on the Augusta Metro AAU club.

"As a group, we've met our needs to return to an up-tempo, high-scoring style of play," said Coach Laing. "We've met these needs with versatile, dribble-pass-shoot guys who can play many different positions. In addition, this will give us the chance to score off defense because of our added size, length and quickness. We feel like we've entirely addressed areas in which we were previously deficient. I'm excited about the caliber of play we can bring to the floor next season."

Jabril Bailey

Bailey earned third-team All-Region 20 honors at Cecil Community College as a red-shirt freshman in 2007-08. He average 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the Seahawks, who went 31-1, captured the Maryland JUCO conference regular season and tournament titles and were ranked number-one in the final regular season NJCAA Division II poll.

A product of New Castle, Del., the 6-foot-4, 190-pound Bailey earned first-team all-state honors at Delcastle Technical High School in 2006. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining.

"Jabril gives us a very long two-guard, a guy that could play either wing position. He has the ability to score inside and out as well as defend on and off the ball. He can close down passing lanes with his length."

Matt Gwynne

Gwynne, who hails from nearby Angier, N.C., joins the Fighting Camels as a transfer from Tennessee-Chattanooga. The 6-foot-10, 230-pound forward played in 58 games over two seasons with the Mocs, averaging 4.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 12.3 minutes per outing. After sitting out the 2008-09 season according to NCAA transfer guidelines, Gwynne will have two years of eligibility remaining.

As a sophomore in 2007-08, Gwynne contributed 5.9 points and 4.3 boards in 15. 4 minutes over 227 outings. He made 14-of-41 three-point field goals (.341) and hit 70.4 percent (38-54) from the line. He scored a career-high 12 points vs. UNC Greensboro and grabbed a career-best 10 rebounds at Furman.

Gwynne played his final year of high school ball at Christ School in Arden, N.C., where he averaged 16 points and nine rebounds and earned all-conference honors in 2006. He was named one of the Top-10 rising seniors in North Carolina by Scout.com prior to the season.

As a junior, Gwynne was named honorable mention all-state after contributing 22.5 points and 14 rebounds for state-runner-up Ravenscroft School of Raleigh. He was an all-conference performer as a sophomore at Gaston Day School, where he averaged 14 points and 12 boards for the state 1-A champion.

"Matt has helped us to address our need for size and strength on the front line," said Laing. "We have filed a residency requirement with the NCAA in hopes that he will be in uniform with us and eligible to play in the 2008-09 season. If he is immediately available, he will give us a true pivot player."

William Kossangue

A 6-foot-6, 210-pound forward from Bangui, Central Africa, Kossangue joins the Camels from highly-regarded Tyler (Texas) Junior College. Kossangue is one of five Apaches to sign Division I scholarships this season from a 25-4 club that was ranked 10th in the final NJCAA Division I regular season poll.

As a sophomore, Kossangue averaged 7.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. He shot 52 percent from the floor and 37 percent from 3-point range. During his first year at Tyler, Kossangue chipped in 6.9 points 1.6 boards and 1.1 assists, while hitting 45 percent from the field and 41 percent from 3-point distance.

"William gives us a boost as a small forward or power forward that can score from beyond the arc," said Laing. "He's a very good rebounder with a very solid body and good foot speed. He has a great first step and is a good passer as well."

Miles Taylor

A 6-foot-4, 198-pound forward, Taylor comes to Campbell from Pensacola Junior College, where he twice earned All-Panhandle Conference recognition in his hometown. As a sophomore in 2008, he averaged 12.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and shot 52 percent from the floor.

During his freshman year, Taylor contributed 10.8 points, 4.6 boards and shot 47 percent from the field. He graduated from PJC last December with honors and was a finalist for the Hal Chasey Award, which is presented annually to the top junior college basketball scholar athlete in the state of Florida. He was one of six sophomores from the 2008 PJC squad to sign scholarships with Division I schools this year.

"Miles is very mature wing player," said Laing. "He could play the two, three or four positions. He's a great defender, plays with high energy, makes people around him better players and is a quality person with a great work ethic."

ChadThompson

A 6-foot-3, 220-point guard, Thompson averaged 18.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists as a sophomore at Moberly Area (Mo.) Community College. He shot 48 percent from the floor, 40 percent from 3-point distance and 80 percent from the line, while earning all-region honors.

During his freshman year, Thompson chipped in 8.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.2 assist per outing. The St. Louis, Mo., resident connected on 39 percent of his shots, 39 percent from 3-point range and 74 percent from the stripe.

"Chad has the ability to score from really deep. He has a good mid-range game, and has a scorer's mentality. He has a great body and handles the ball well."

Overview

The eight newcomers join a returning group that includes five of CU's top seven scorers from the 2007-08 squad. Heading the list of returnees is forward Jonathan Rodriguez, who earned first-team Atlantic Sun all-conference honors in each of his first two collegiate seasons.

"These eight new kids all address specific needs to our up-tempo style," said Coach Laing. "We're looking forward to playing a full court game offensively and defensively all season long. This is the most-thorough, deepest recruiting class we've had since I've been here."

Campbell (10-20 overall in 2007-08) has won double figure games in each of the last three years, the first time the program has accomplished that feat since 1996-98.

Early Signees

Amir Celestin

A 6-foot-2, 170-pound guard, Celestin helped his team compile a 77-17 won-lost record over his three-year varsity career that included state titles in 2006 and 2008. He scored 18 points – including 13-straight in a decisive 22-7 third quarter run – to lead Norland to a 59-54 victory over Boyd Anderson, which was ranked 20th nationally by the National Prep Basketball Poll, in the Florida 6-A finals. He was named first-team all-state and MVP of the Florida 6-A state championship game.

Celestin finished his senior year with averages of 10.6 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, while connecting on 47 percent of his 3-point field goal attempts for Coach Lawton Williams' Vikings, who finished the year with a 27-6 record. He was named to the All-Dade County team and selected to participate in the Miami-Dade All-Star games against the Broward County and Palm Beach County all-stars.

Chris Reynolds

A 6-foot-5, 190-pound wing forward, Reynolds was a all-state selection as a senior when he contributed 15.8 points and 8.5 rebounds to Glenn Hills High School's 29-2 state title squad. He shared team MVP honors in each of his final three prep campaigns, and won all-region and all-area recognition three times. His career-high high school scoring effort was a school-record 39 points.

Over his final two prep seasons, Reynolds helped guide Coach Richard Wallace's Spartans to a combined 54-6 won-lost record and two regional crowns. Glenn Hills defeated Carver-Columbus 64-57 in the Georgia 6-A final.

P.J. Meyers

A three-sport standout who earned nine prep letters in basketball, football and baseball, Meyers was a two-time all-region performer on the hardwood for Coach Shawn Parks' Eagles. During the 2008 season, the 5-foot-7, 148-pound point guard contributed 12 points and 10 assists to Josey High School's regional runner-up squad.

As a junior, Meyers chipped in 14 points and seven assists for a regional championship club, which also advanced to the second round of the state tournament. In addition to his basketball accomplishments, Meyers has earned all-area and all-region honors in baseball and all-area recognition on the football team. He has also captained both the baseball and football squads. He led Josey in tackles with 67 as a senior.

2008 Campbell University Men's Basketball Recruits

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl.* Hometown/Previous School 2007-08 Stats

Jabril Bailey G 6-4 190 So. New Castle, Del. / Cecil (Md.) CC 15.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.5 apg

Amir Celestin # G 6-2 170 Fr. Miami, Fla. / Norland HS 10.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 3.2 apg, .470 3FG%

Matt Gwynne F 6-10 250 Jr. Angier, N.C. / UT-Chattanooga 5.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, .704 FT%

William Kossangue F 6-6 210 Jr. Bangui, Central Africa / Tyler (Texas) JC 6.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.1apg

P.J. Meyers # G 5-7 148 Fr. Augusta, Ga. / Josey HS 12.0 ppg, 10.0 apg

Chris Reynolds # F 6-5 190 Fr. Augusta, Ga. / Glenn Hills HS 15.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.0 bpg

Miles Taylor G 6-4 198 Jr. Pensacola, Fla. / Pensacola JC 12.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.4 apg

Chad Thompson G 6-3 220 Jr. St. Louis, Mo. / Moberly Area CC 18.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.6 apg

# early signee

* classification in '08-09