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2024-25 Men's Basketball Signing Class

Men's Basketball Adds Five Signees For 2024-25 Season

June 17, 2024

PEMBROKE - UNC Pembroke men’s basketball head coach Drew Richards announced the addition of five players for the 2024-25 roster on Saturday afternoon. Ant Abraham, Joe'l Pettiford, Demar Anderson, Jonathan Kurtas and Javecckio “JT” Thomas all are transfer student-athletes that will be eligible to play immediately.  The five signees will joining incoming freshman, Quay Watson, who joined the program during the early signing period. 

2024-25 Men's Basketball Signing Class
We are very excited about this recruiting class! I want to give a huge thank you to our coaching staff for working their tails off on getting these quality people and players locked in to be UNCP Braves. We believe this group addresses several of our biggest issues from last season. With the combination of experience in the guards, depth for our forwards, and some great young pieces, I believe we have a chance to be special this coming year!
UNC Pembroke Head Coach Drew Richards
2024-25 Men's Basketball Roster

#4 JT THOMAS
6-5, 210, Junior, Guard
Sandersville, Ga. / Onley Central CC

JT Thomas - Signing

BEFORE UNCP: Played two seasons at Only Central College for coach Jim Glash … Helped his team to a 19-11 record during his sophomore season … Saw action in 29 games (28 starts) during his sophomore campaign … Averaged 14.1 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game. 

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Washington County High School for coach Carlos Hope … Helped his team to a 22-3 record during his senior year … Named all-region during his junior and senior seasons.  

PERSONAL: The son of Seketha Thomas and Jefferey Brookins … Attended Washington County High School … His favorite movie is Above The Rim and his favorite food is chicken … An undecided major at UNCP. 
 

JT is a diamond in the rough! After only playing three years of organized basketball, this season he led his junior college in multiple statistical categories and to one of the best records in Olney Central College history. He is a versatile forward who is just as productive both offensively and defensively in the paint as he is on the perimeter. He has a very high ceiling if he continues to develop his skillset!
- Head Coach Drew Richards

#5 ANT ABRAHAM
6-1, 180, Graduate Student, Guard 
Mount Vernon, N.Y. / Texas A&M Commerce

Ant Abraham - Signing

AS A SENIOR AT TEXAS A&M COMMERCE (2023-24): Played in 19 games during the season and started in two games … Averaged 11.1 minutes, 2.7 points, 1.7 assists and 1.4 rebounds per game. 

AS A JUNIOR AT TEXAS A&M COMMERCE (2022-23): Recorded action in 20 games … Averaged 7.4 minutes, 1.4 points, 1.7 assists and 0.7 rebounds per game. 

AS A SOPHOMORE AT NAVARRO COLLEGE (2021-22): Saw action in 25 games and registered 10 started … Averaged 3.6 minutes, 7.0 points, 3.0 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game. 

AS A FRESHMAN AT NAVARRO COLLEGE (2020-21): Saw action in 19 games and logged a pair of starts … Played a total of 26 minute during the season … Averaged 1.7 points and 1.0 rebounds per game. 

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Yavus Selim for coach Nicola … Ranked the 5th best prospect and helped his team to a state championship. 

PERSONAL: The son of Antoinette and Antonio Abraham … Has an older brother, Anton … Also has four older sisters, Mia, Nikki, Tonj, and Tori … Attended Liberty Heights … Enjoys reading, taking pictures, and boxing … Lists his mom as his idol .. The Los Angeles Lakers are his favorite team and Chris Brown is his favorite artist … A business administration major at UNCP. 

Ant is a true QB1 type point guard that since his days at Liberty Heights has been more worried about the scoreboard than the stat sheet! In both tough junior college and Division 1 leagues, he was able to shoot the ball from the perimeter at a good percentage, maintain a 2/1 assist to turnover ratio, and defend at a high level. He will also be pursuing his MBA while at UNCP so his maturity on and off the court is welcomed!
- Head Coach Drew Richards

#11 DEMAR ANDERSON
6-3, 190, Senior, Guard
Charlotte, N.C. / Coker

Demar Anderson - Signing

AS A JUNIOR AT COKER (2023-24): Saw action in 28 games and registered 20 starts … Averaged 23.4 minutes, 16.7 points, and 4.4 rebounds per game. 

AS A SOPHOMORE AT COKER (2022-23): Started in 10 games for the Cobras … Averaged 29.7 minutes, 16.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 1.7 assists per game. 

AS A FRESHMAN AT COKER (2021-22): Saw action in 25 games and logged 16 starts … Averaged 24.8 minutes, 8.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals per game.

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Victory Christian for coach Marcus Dilligard … Helped his team to a 23-7 record during his senior year … Named first-team all-conference. 

PERSONAL: The son of Stephanie and Terry Anderson … Has three sisters, Deja, Christian, and Shirice … Enjoys playing video games … His favorite food is chicken alfredo and his favorite movie is Planet of the Apes … An interdisciplinary studies major at UNCP. 

Demar is a seasoned veteran guard who has always been a high-level scorer, but this past season showcased his ability to make plays for his teammates. When he steps on the court he plays with a chip on his shoulder and has a competitive streak that fits in very well in our program. We look forward to him continuing to refine his guard skills as he brings a level of toughness to practice and games.
- Head Coach Drew Richards

#14 JOE'L PETTIFORD
6-7, 220, Redshirt Junior, Forward
Greensboro, N.C. / UVA Wise

Joe'l Pettiford - Signing

AS A SOPHOMORE AT UVA WISE (2023-24): Saw action in 28 games (27 starts) … Averaged 27.0 minutes, 10.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game … Scored a season-high 32 points against Carson-Newman on Feb. 21. 

AS A FRESHMAN AT UVA WISE (2022-23): Started in four games before suffering a season-ending injury … Averaged 18.3 minutes, 9.5 points, and 4.5 rebounds per game … Named to the All-SAC Freshman Team. 

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Southwest Guilford High School for coach Guy Shavers … Helped his team to a perfect 32-0 record … Named to the all-conference and all-district team … Played a key role in guiding the team to a pair of state championship titles … Earned Most Outstanding Player award. 

PERSONAL: The son of Nicole and Anthony Pettiford … Has one brother, Seth … Enjoys video games … Lists Kobe Bryant as his idol … Chicken Alfredo is his favorite food and Friday The 13th is his favorite movie … A sports management major at UNCP. 

Joe’l is a high motor and athletic forward whose offensive skill has developed immensely since he has been in college. He is versatile on both ends of the floor, being able to efficiently score both inside and outside the paint and defend bigger and quicker players. He is also an effective shot blocker that does a good job cleaning up messes and he rebounds at a high level by pursuing boards outside of his area.
- Head Coach Drew Richards

#21 JONATHAN KURTAS
6-11, 250, Redshirt Junior, Forward
Mooresville, N.C. / Jacksonville University

Jonathan Kurtas Signing

AS A JUNIOR AT JACKSONVILLE (2023-24): Redshirted … Did not see action. 

AS A SOPHOMORE AT SUIE (2022-23): Averaged 3.9 points per game …Turned in three double-digit scoring performances, including a career-high 13 points against Fairleigh Dickinson on Nov. 18,  where he added a career-best 10 rebounds for his first career double-double … Averaged 3.1 rebounds per game … Led SIUE with 36 total block … Finished third in the Ohio Valley Conference at 1.1 blocks per game … Appeared in 32 games, making 26 starts.

AS A FRESHMAN AT SUIE (2021-22): Averaged 2.1 points and 2.3 rebounds per game…Appeared in all 32 games during the season…Scored a career-high eight points at Murray State on Feb. 5…Grabbed a career-high seven rebounds against Eastern Illinois on Feb. 21.

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Lake Norman Christian for coach Patrick McCarthy … Helped his team to a 27-8 record as a senior where he averaged 16.0 points and 10.0  rebounds per game … Shot 53 percent from the field … Named MVP of the Phenom All-American Camp for the Top-80 players in North Carolina … Also took part in the Phenom Invite Only Showcase … Named to the All-Tournament Team at the Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament … Most Outstanding Player at the US Prep Athletes Showcase in 2019

PERSONAL: The son of Jennifer and Andrew Kurtas … Has a younger sister, Olivia … Attended Lake Norman Christian … Enjoys working on cars … Lists his father, Andrew, as his idol … His favorite movie is Goodfellas and his favorite food is sushi … A sociology major at UNCP. 

We are thrilled about finally getting Big Jon in a Braves jersey! We recruited him heavy out of high school and thought his blend of size, mobility, and skill would translate very well to our system. He has shown flashes of being an anchor in the paint offensively that still has the ability to step out and knock down shots. Defensively he has a presence about him that will make it difficult for opponents to score in the paint and he is a physical rebounder.
- Head Coach Drew Richards