NASHVILLE --- Brian "Penny" Collins and the men's basketball program welcomes the 2021-22 signing class as NLI open signing period begins, Wednesday, April 14. On day one, Collins' welcomed three. 


Kenny Cooper | 6-1 | Guard | Graduate Transfer 
Nashville, Tenn. | WKU/Lipscomb

• Averaged 9.8 points, 4.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and two steals as a junior at Lipscomb while shooting 36 percent from three-point distance
• Led the Bisons to a 2019 Atlantic Sun regular season championship and advanced to the NIT championship game
• Notched a triple-double against Kennesaw State in the ASUN Tournament
• Averaged 17.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game at Franklin Road Academy
• Was a Mr. Basketball finalist and a two-time TSWA All-State selection
• Helped FRA to a pair of appearances in the state championship game
• Earned a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary students and is now working on his master's in HPSS

COLLINS' TAKE
The signing of Kenny Cooper brings instant credibility to our program. He's a winner and we're looking for Cooper to bring that winning mentality to Tennessee State. He took Lipscomb to its first NCAA Tournament and led them to the NIT Championship game and most recently was a member of WKU's regular season conference championship team. He's Nashville born-and-raised, so we expect the community to get behind Cooper coming back home to lead our program to a place he's already been. His leadership skills and his ability to lead a team will make his voice strong in the locker room. I'm excited to coach him.  


Drew Williams | 6-7 | Small Forward | Freshman
Chattanooga, Tenn. | Scotland Campus

• Ranked No. 55 small forward in the nation and a three-star athlete by 247 sports
• Spent his postgrad year at Scotland Prep
• Played at Hamilton Heights under Zach Ferrell in high school
• Averaged 11.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists in 31 games 

COLLINS' TAKE
Drew Williams could be one of the biggest steals of this recruiting class. Coming from Hamilton Heights and playing his post-grad year at Scotland has really prepared Drew to be able to come in and be ready to play as a freshman. He was highly recruited coming out of high school and played on one of the best teams in the country under Zach Ferrell. His ability to shoot the ball, read defenses and his leadership skills are something I'm really looking forward to coaching.


Hercy Miller | 6-3 | Guard | Freshman
Los Angeles, Calif. | Minnehaha Academy

• Ranked a three-star recruit by ESPN
• Ranked 51^st shooting guard in the nation, first in Minnesota
• Helped Minnehaha, a No. 8 nationally ranked team, to a 20-1 record as a senior
• Averaged 10.6 points per game while playing with Chet Holmgren, Minnesota's Mr. Basketball

COLLINS' TAKE
Hercy Miller is one of the most dynamic high school guards in the country, playing for one of the top high school teams at Minnehaha in Minneapolis. His defensive prowess will show when he steps foot on that Gentry Center floor. His leadership skills, toughness and infectious personality are a few of his traits that I'm really looking forward to coaching. Hercy will make TSU fans proud.



Kassim Nicholson | 6-7 | Forward | Graduate
Jackson, Miss. | UAB

• Started 24 of 29 games in his final season with the Blazers averaging 6.7 points, 6.7 rebounds in 26.4 minutes per game
• Contributed 42 steals and 25 blocks and shot 44.3 percent from the field over his two seasons
• Named MACJC First Team All-State after leading Holmes CC to the NJCAA Regionals
• Averaged 15 points, 2.2 assists and 9.6 rebounds in his final year at Holmes CC, notching 13 double doubles

COLLINS' TAKE
Kassim Nicholson is someone we recruited aggressively when he left Holmes CC. His decision to attend UAB was a great one and he has done nothing but win ever since he's graduated high school. His ability to guard multiple positions and score will help TSU's basketball team become one of the top programs in the OVC. Defensively, Kassim was ranked one of the top power forwards in the country last year. His energy, athleticism and high-level game experience will be counted on right away in our front court. Look forward to seeing him suit up in blue and white.


David Acosta | 6-11 | Forward | Junior
Santiago, Dominican Republic | Cloud County CC

• Named KJCCC Defensive Player of the Year
• Appeared in 43 games averaging 8.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.6 blocks in 18.8 minutes per game in year two for the T-Birds, notching three double-doubles
• Scored a career-high 25 points against Cowley County
• A two-sport athlete for Cloud County, starting for both the basketball and baseball teams
• Played summer baseball for the Capital City Reds

COLLINS' TAKE
David Acosta could be one of the biggest surprises coming out of junior-college basketball. The young man has only played basketball for a few years and has already turned the heads of every junior college program and has garnered him the title of Defensive Player of the Year. At 6-11, 245 pounds he can run, is explosive and will be able to defend and score against OVC-level competition. David will be a fan favorite for a long time.



Jalen Dupree | 6-8 | Graduate Transfer
Cordova, Tenn. | Samford/Murray State

• At Samford, the forward was the sole player to start all 33 games as a junior, led the team in rebounds (243) and averaged 11.1 points per game while shooting 51 percent from the floor and 82.2 percent from the charity stripe
• In his final season for the Bulldogs, saw action in just 12 games due to injury… averaged 8.1 points, 5.7 rebounds per contest
• Played two seasons at Murray State with current NBA Rookie of the Year Ja Morant
• Averaged 4.0 points and 2.9 rebounds per game as a freshman and 6.6 points, 4.7 rebounds as a sophomore
• Played at Cordova averaging 10 points, eight rebounds and 3.5 blocks and was named All-District 

COLLINS' TAKE
Jalen Dupree will come in as one of the most established bigs on our roster next year. He's played at Murray State and Samford. He's a proven double-digit scorer and relentless rebounder on the glass. Jalen will be counted on on day one to provide leadership, experience and the ability to score from the front court on all three levels. I'm excited to add another west Tennessee baller on the roster. Memphis has been good to us.


Christian Brown | 6-6 | Small Forward | Junior
Hopkins, S.C. | Georgia

• Played in 48 games for the Bulldogs, averaging 3.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 46.5 percent from the field in 10.2 minutes per game over two seasons
• Had a career game against Jacksonville registering 14 points, four rebounds a block and a steal in just 15 minutes of action
• Recorded a team-best shooting percentage in both seasons in red and black of .389 and .353, respectively
• Ranked a four-star recruit and ranked No. 64 in the nation by ESPN out of Oak Hill where he was coached by Steve Smith
• Intends to major in business

 
COLLINS' TAKE
Christian Brown will bring energy and electricity to the Gentry Center. He's coming in as one of the most decorated players we've recruited and the goal is for him to leave as one of the most decorated players we've ever recruited. The impact he will have on the team will be immediately felt through his high-level play in the SEC. We're expecting him to not only be able to score but to defend. Christian will have Tiger fans on their feet all season long."