BE THERE
Season tickets for the 2023-24 basketball season are available HERE. The Privateer's home opener is November 6 versus Millsaps at 7 p.m. at the Lakefront Arena.
NEW ORLEANS - As we continue to preview the 2023-24 men's basketball squad, we turn our attention to the Privateers' front court. Under Head Coach Mark Slessinger's leadership, four post players return from last season with the addition of two newcomers to the Lakefront.
Here is a breakdown of New Orleans' post players heading into the Privateers 2023-24 men's basketball campaign:
Senior Tyson Jackson returns to the mix for New Orleans after serving as a big-time playmaker and key piece to the Privateers late season run in 2022-23. The Atlanta, Georgia native started in all 32 games for a consecutive season. He also averaged a solid 11.4 points per game last season, shooting 61.3% from the field, and leading the team in rebounds by snatching 4.8 boards a contest. Jackson reached double-figures in scoring 20 times and four times in rebounding over the 2022-23 campaign. In his final season suiting up at the collegiate level, the 6-foot-9, 230-pounder returns with high aspirations down low for the Privateers.
You can also expect to see sophomore forward Omarion Henry take a major step forward in what will be his second collegiate season. As a true freshman, the St. Louis, Missouri native appeared in all 32 games and started in the last ten games. Viewed as the Privateers' most improved player by Coach Slessinger, Henry has shown versatility and ability to perform nicely against any opponent from downlow to mid-range. The 6-foot-7, 205-pounder put up a season high 20 points versus Lamar and had eight games with double-figure scoring last season. Henry also led the team in blocks with 22 over the 2022-23 season.
Standing at 6-foot-9 and 215 pounds, D'ante Bell returns to the Lakefront with three seasons under his belt as a Privateer. The Shreveport, Louisiana native is a key piece to the depth of Coach Slessinger's squad and will look to make an impact when called upon. Last season Bell averaged four points in 12 minutes per game.
Darrius Washington, a 6-foot-8, 230 pounder, will begin his third season with the Privateers. The Louisville, Kentucky native appeared in 24 games off the bench and averaged 1.7 points per game in 5.8 minutes per game.
Adding to the depth and size of this year's team is a transfer and one true freshman: Graduate transfer forward, James Glisson III. from Mercer and two-time high school state champion Dorian Booker. At 6-foot-7, Glisson averaged 7.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per game for the Bears. The Decatur, Georgia native had a career-high 25 points in an 83-77 win over Georgia State. Booker, a 6-foot-11, 265 pounder averaged double-figures in both his junior and senior year. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana native was named the Outstanding player of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association's (LSWA) Class 5A All-State basketball team in April.
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