A year ago this week, Keon Ellis was putting together the finishing touches on a single game school record 41 point performance as the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers wrapped up another Suncoast Conference win over St. Petersburg.  Tuesday he was helping another team to a big conference win, this time pushing the University of Alabama to a 20 point win in Rupp Arena against Kentucky, the Tide's biggest win over the Wildcats in 47 years.  Ellis' story isn't uncommon for former FSW players as this season, the Bucs have 16 players competing at the NCAA Division I level all around the country from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to the shores of Niagara Falls in Buffalo.   

Keon Ellis (Alabama) | Ellis has been a key player for the Tide this season, playing in 12 games and averaging 14.1 minutes per game for the SEC leaders.  He has averaged 3.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per game, shooting at a clip of 47% from the field and 38% from three. He had the best game of the year earlier this month in his return to the Sunshine State when he needed just six field goal attempts to put up 16 points and 8 rebounds in a 'Bama win over Florida. 

Berrick JeanLouis (Iona) | JeanLouis has been in good favor with Iona Head Coach Rick Pitino, starting all eight games, while logging 30.6 points per game which is second most on the team.  His impact has been seen on both sides of the floor where he is averaging 6.8 points per game while also picking off a team best 2.3 steals per contest. 

Jalen Finch (Jacksonville State) | Finch has been outstanding for Jacksonville State this season, leading the Gamecocks to a 7-4 start to the year while averaging 10.7 points and a team best 4.5 assists per game.  He has scored in double figures in each of JSU's past five contests including a career high 18 against UT Martin to close out 2020. 

Ralph Bissainthe (Central Michigan) | Bissainthe has found himself in the middle of the Central Michigan rotation, playing in all 12 games and seeing action in just under 20 minutes per game on the year. He has chipped in 6.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per night including a 17 point, 11 rebound double-double in December against Olivet. 

Jermaine Marshall (Akron) | The Bucs double-double machine last season, Marshall has seen time in five games for Akron this year.  He is averaging just under 5 points and 5 rebounds per game for the Zips with his best game coming against St. Bonaventure with a 9 point, 9 rebound effort. 

Simeon Kirkland (UAB) | Kirkland and UAB are off to a, pardon the pun, blazing hot start to the year at 9-1 and 2-0 in Conference USA action. Kirkland's opportunities have been limited early on this season, but he gave the Blazers a huge boost off the bench last Saturday against former Buc Tyler Morman and Southern Miss as he scored 6 points and had 6 rebounds in 18 minutes of work in a UAB win. 

De'Lazarus Keys (Texas A&M- Corpus Christi) | Keys has battled some early season injuries to keep him off the floor in all but one game for the Islanders so far.  He returned yesterday to play 20 minutes, putting up 6 points and grabbing 8 rebounds against Southeastern Louisiana.

Sebastian Guitian (South Carolina State) | Guitian has played well for South Carolina State so far this season, seeing action in all 13 games and drawing three starts for the Bulldogs. He is averaging 4.2 points and 2.5 rebounds per game with his best effort coming against North Carolina A&T when he scored 11 points in just 8 minutes of work. 

DeShawn Thomas (Coastal Carolina) | Thomas has found a new home in Myrtle Beach where he has played in nine games for the 9-2 Chanticleers.  He is averaging 4.7 points and 2.0 rebounds per game while blocking nearly 2 shots per game for Coastal. 

Maddox Daniels (Colorado) | Daniels has found his place in Head Coach Tad Boyle's system, playing in all 12 games for the Buffs this season, averaging 20 minutes per contest.  He is averaging 7.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per game while drilling 19 threes which is second best on the team. He has scored in double figures four times on the year including a 12 point effort against UCLA to kick off the new year. 

Destin Barnes (UCSB) | Moving from the East Coast to the West Coast this season, Barnes has played in all 9 games for the Gauchos in 2020-21, averaging 4.1 points per game and shooting 41% from the field in 11.8 minutes per contest. 

Tyler Morman (Southern Miss) | Morman has battled injuries this season, seeing action in just one game thus far for the Golden Eagles. 

Tra'Von Fagan (Buffalo) | Fagan has played in all 8 games for the Bulls this season, drawing 5 starts and averaging 12.9 minutes per night.  He has chipped in 2.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting 62% from the floor.

DJ Wilkins (Drake) | Wilkins is one of three former Bucs that have led Drake to a perfect 13-0 start to the year.  He has started all 13 games for the Bulldogs, putting up 11.3 points and 1.8 assists per game.  He is shooting 51% from the floor and an incredible 53% from downtown which is the best in the country for players with 60 or more attempts. 

ShanQuan Hemphill (Drake) | 'Tank' has been just that since arriving in Des Moines this season. He has started all 13 games alongside former FSW teammates DJ Wilkins and Tremell Murphy while playing a team high 24.8 minutes per game.  He is shooting 59% from the field, averaging 14.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while becoming a regular on ESPN's Sportscenter Top 10 for his high flying antics. 

Tremell Murphy (Drake) | Last but certainly not least is Murphy who with Wilking and Hemphill, have led Drake to become just the 12^th Missouri Valley Conference team to start 13-0 since World War II.  He is averaging 7.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game including four double digit scoring efforts on the year. 

The 2021 version of the Bucs with a roster full of players hoping to add their names to this list, open their season next Wednesday, January 20^th at home against Hillsborough in a 7:30 tip.  Fans will be allowed in Suncoast Credit Union Arena and will be required to wear masks and socially distance throughout the Arena.