Bryant Men’s Hoops Picked To Finish Third, Timberlake Named To Preseason All-America East Team

Bryant University Press Release

BOSTON – Bryant men’s basketball fifth year Earl Timberlake was named to the America East Preseason All-Conference Team, the league announced Monday morning during its annual media day.

In addition, the Black and Gold were picked to finish third in the coaches preseason poll. Defending champion Vermont was the unanimous favorite, while UMass Lowell was picked second.

Timberlake enters his third season in Smithfield and his fifth and final season of collegiate basketball this winter. The Washington, D.C., native lands on the preseason all-league team for the third time in his career and is a two-time all-conference player. Timberlake is coming off a dominant performance in 2023-24 that saw him rank in the 10^th in scoring (14.6), 3^rd in rebounding (9.0), 2^nd in FG% (.620), 6^th in assists (3.9), 8^th in blocks (1.3) and 14^th in steals (1.3).

Timberlake is averaging 14.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg and 3.3 apg in 58 career games with the Bulldogs. He finished second in the league with 11 double-doubles a season ago and has recorded 20 in his Bryant career.

Bryant is coming off its second 20-win season in three years and a trip to the America East Semifinals. The Bulldogs have now appeared in the conference semifinals in three of the last four postseasons. In addition to Timberlake, Bryant also returns Rafael Pinzon (13.0 ppg), Connor Withers (6.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.5 bpg, 1.5 spg), Keyshawn Mitchell, Aaron Davis and Josh Ozabor.

The Black and Gold also added transfers Devean Williams (Canisius), Barry Evans (St. Bonaventure), Kam Farris (Marist), Favour Aire (Penn State) and Jakai Robinson (Miami).
Bryant opens the 2024-25 season on Monday, November 4 when it hosts Dean at the Chace Athletic Center. Season tickets and single-game tickets are available at BryantBulldogs.com/tickets.

2024 Men’s #AEHoops Preseason Poll
No.    School            Points (1st Place Votes)
1.       Vermont          64 (8)
2.       UMass Lowell 55 (1)
3.       Bryant             52
4.       Maine             39
5.       UMBC            31
6.       Binghamton   30
7.       UAlbany         26
8.       NJIT               15
9.       UNH               12

Men’s #AEHoops Preseason All-Conference Team

Earl Timberlake, Bryant – Sr., Guard

• Averaged 14.6 points, 9.0 rpg, 3.9 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.3 steals per game while shooting .620 from the field.
• 2023-24 First-Team All-Conference.
• 2022-23 Second-Team All-Conference.
• Career averages of 14.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 3.3 apg and 1.1 spg in 58 contests at Bryant.

Marcus Banks Jr, UMBC – Sr., Guard

• Averaged 15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game with 85 three-point field goals.
• 2023-24 Third-Team All-Conference.
• Averaged 18.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in conference play.
• Played previously at Odessa College and Western Carolina.

Shamir Bogues, Vermont – Sr., Guard

• Averaged 11.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game while shooting .513 from the field.
• 2023-24 First-Team All-Conference & Newcomer of the Year
• Named Most Outstanding Player of #AEPlayoffs
• Member of 2023-24 All-Defensive Team

Max Brooks UMass Lowell – Gr., Forward

• Averaged 12.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.6 assists per game while shooting a league-best .621 from the floor
• 2023-24 First-Team All-Conference
• Three-time #AEHoops All-Defensive Team honoree
• Career averages of 9.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.9 bpg while shooting .623 in 118 career games.

TJ Long, Vermont – Sr. Guard

• Averaged 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.4 assist per game with 77 threes while shooting .363 from beyond the arc.
• 2023-24 Third-Team All-Conference.
• Named to 2023-24 #AEPlayoffs All-Championship Team.
• Played previously at Fairfield, earning MAAC Sixth Man of the Year honors in 2022-23.