PEMBROKE – UNC Pembroke men's basketball head coach Drew Richards announced a pair of additions to his 2021-22 roster on Monday afternoon with the signing of Missouri-Kansas City transfer Tyre Boykin and local prep standout Brandis Kelly.
 
Boykin, a 6-1 guard and a former standout at West Bladen High School, has already enrolled in classes at UNCP but will sit out the 2020-21 season due to NCAA transfer rules. Kelly, a 6-7 forward, is currently a senior at West Columbus High School.
 
A native of White Oak, Boykin earned conference player of the year and team most valuable player laurels for West Bladen following each of his last two prep seasons, including a senior campaign that watched him average more than 20 points per game. He tallied 22.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game as a junior, including a 23-game run that watched him register 10 or more points.
 
He played in two games for UMKC this season, including an 8-point, 2-assist outing in the Kangaroos' 105-35 season-opening victory over Culver-Stockton. He also contributed one block, one rebound and a steal in the win over Greenville two days later.
 
"Tyre is an explosive athlete who impacts the game with his multi-level scoring, but he is also tough enough to battle on the boards and make plays for his teammates," Richards said. "He has the ability to be a lockdown on the ball defender, and is an extremely high-character person. We are very thankful that he decided to come back home!"
 
Kelly averaged 12.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.4 blocks, 2.6 assists and 2.0 steals an outing for West Columbus last season and helped pace the Vikings to a 22-5 clip and a deep run in the state tournament. He shot better than 52 percent from the field over the course of the 27-game season, and turned in 10 or more points in 18 outings. His junior campaign was also highlighted by eight double-double performances, including a 20-point, 14-rebound showing in a 48-44 win over Fairmont High School.
 
"Brandis is a very skilled forward with a great combination of size and versatility," Richards said. "He has a knack for rebounding and is just scratching the surface of how good he can be. Coach Edwards has done a fantastic job in his development and we look forward to seeing a big senior year."