HONOLULU – Chaminade University men's basketball head coach
Eric Bovaird announced Tuesday the first members of the 2021-22 recruiting class.
"We've had some really good recruiting classes here at Chaminade but this one has to rank among the best," Bovaird said. "Only time will tell but we are extremely excited about this year's class. We have guys who are ready to compete for championships."
Michael Cahill is a senior point guard at St. James Academy in Lenexa, Kan., where he posted 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.5 steals this past year, earning Class 5A Kansas Basketball Coaches Association All-State honorable mention and Eastern Kansas League Second Team honors. A four-year starter from Shawnee, Kan., he also excels in the classroom with a 4.3 grade-point average (out of 4.0), was on the National Honor Society and was a High Honor Roll student his first three years. Cahill played his club basketball with Team KC (Black) and Adidas Gauntlet.
Bovaird on Cahill:
"Michael is from a very good basketball league in Kansas. He has played in high level competition throughout his high school career and has proven to be very successful. He is a winner and is highly competitive in everything he does."
Zach McIntire is a 6-foot-5 wing from Delaware, Ohio, and is a graduate transfer from fellow Division II member Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa., where he started all 13 games and finished third in scoring at 9.8 per game clip while shooting nearly 49 percent from the floor as a senior. McIntire helped the Lakers achieve a No. 3 national ranking in the NABC Coaches Poll, the program's highest ever, and a 12-1 mark including an unblemished 11-0 regular season before suffering their only loss of the year to top-seeded Hillsdale College in the NCAA Atlantic Region semifinals. During his junior season, McIntire averaged 10.6 points per game including a career-high 28 against Indiana (Pa.) on Feb. 1, 2019. He will have one season of eligibility remaining.
Bovaird on McIntire:
"Zach comes to us from a really good D-II program where he was an all-conference player. He's very athletic, can shoot the 3 at a high level and attack the rim very quickly. With our pace of play, he could have some highlight reel dunks. He's a very experienced player that will help us in many ways."
Joseph Smoyer is a 6-11 center from Portland, Ore., and attended Division I Columbia University in New York for three years, tallying 65 points, 61 rebounds and 28 blocked shots with the Lions in his only playing season in 2019-20. Columbia – as the entire Ivy League – did not play this past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Smoyer sat out the 2018-19 season due to D-I transfer rules after playing his first two years at the University of Portland, where he compiled 92 points, 69 boards and 23 blocks during his career with the Pilots. Smoyer is a graduate transfer and will have one year of eligibility.
Bovaird on Smoyer:
"We are really looking forward to coaching Joseph. He is a shot-blocker, rim protector and has really good coordination. Offensively, he can score in the post, square up and make good reads. At his height, he can really run the floor too. Getting a really good big guy with his ability should immediately make us better as a team."
Paris Taylor is a 6-6 forward from Division I University of Wisconsin Green Bay where he played his sophomore season. The native of Bolivar, Tenn., started the first seven games for the Phoenix this past season, compiling a season-high 10 points and seven rebounds in their season opener at Minnesota. Taylor began his collegiate playing career at Walters State Community College in Morristown, Tenn., where he spent two years, averaging nearly 12 points and eight rebounds per contest as a sophomore. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Bovaird on Taylor:
"Paris has proven to be an effective player on the D-I level. He is one of the most athletic players we've recruited and should have a huge impact on our success. He has a knack for scoring and has the ability to face up and take guys off the dribble."
