Roland Taking Fall Trips; Aiken Tech Update
Calvin Roland, a 6-9, 245 pound center from Aiken Technical College in Aiken, S.C., has enjoyed a busy recruitment this fall.
Aiken Tech Head Coach Charles Welch told JUCO Junction that Roland is about to take back to back official visits this weekend.
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Welch said that Roland will visit Virginia Commonwealth from Oct. 11-13 and then Austin Peay from Oct. 13-15. Last month, Roland took his first official visit to Georgia State (Sept. 26-28).
Georgia, East Tennessee State and Temple have also been in to look at Roland this fall.
A native of Hephzibah, Ga., Roland averaged 10 points and eight rebounds per game last year at Aiken Tech.
"Calvin is a physical specimen," Welch noted. "He's very strong, he runs well and he finishes well."
"He's also an adequate post defender," Welch continued. "He needs to continue developing his game with his back to the basket."
Of the programs involved, Georgia State has put an offer on the table. Welch feels that VCU and Austin Peay could offer Roland on his upcoming official visits.
While he was a non-qualifier out of high school, Roland has progressed well thus far at Aiken Tech. If he stays on course this fall and in the spring, Welch expects his big man to graduate with just one summer class.
While many college coaches have been coming in to take a look at Roland, there's been a bit of a spillover effect for some of Welch's other kids.
One player that Welch is expecting big things from this winter is 6-2, 200 pound shooting/combo guard Mario Williams of Augusta, Ga.
"He's really turning into a good player," Welch said. "He's an unbelievable athlete blessed with a big time body, plus he's quick and is a flashy passer."
The one thing that could hold back Williams a bit is that he didn't play organized ball until he arrived at Aiken Tech. So his feel for the game and decision making are a work in progress.
Georgia, South Carolina State and the College of Charleston have expressed early interest in Williams.
According to Welch, Williams will need two summer courses to graduate.
Another key returnee, 6-6, 210 pound power/combo forward A.J. Gordon, may be a priority for D-II and NAIA programs come the spring.
Welch said that Gordon won't graduate by the spring or summer. Of course, he could return to school next year and utilize a red-shirt year if he so desires.
"A.J. has a knack for scoring and rebounding," Welch explained. "He can finish, he plays hard on both ends, but he needs to work on his perimeter game."
Last winter, Gordon averaged 17 points and nine rebounds per game. He scored 32 points in a district tournament loss to Monroe College of the Bronx, N.Y., last March. Gordon is from Aiken, S.C.
One other player we'll note in this article is 5-9 freshman qualifier Darrin Shine of Augusta, Ga.
Shine spent last year at Bridgton Academy in Maine, where he was able to meet initial NCAA requirements for freshman eligibility. He's hoping to latch on with a Division I program after spending a year at Aiken Tech.
"He can score and run a team," Welch said. "He's a polished point guard."
JUCO Junction hopes to catch Aiken Tech this fall at one of the major JC Jamborees. If we do, we will file a follow up report at that time.