Grasso announces five April signees

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University head men's basketball coach Jared Grasso has announced the addition of five student-athletes that will join the Bulldogs for the 2020-21 campaign – Grasso's third season leading the Black & Gold.

The additions of Erickson Bans (Pawtucket, R.I.), Chris Childs (Bronx, N.Y.), Melo Eggleston (Suitland, Md.), Darius Guinn (Portland, Ore.) and Luke Sutherland (Syracuse, N.Y.) add to Grasso's third signing class, joining November signee Joe Moon IV (Westland, Mich.) in looking to help the Bulldogs to their first NCAA Tournament at the Division I level. The group of newcomers aims to build upon the growth of a program that has enjoyed one of the nation's best win improvements over Grasso's first two seasons in Smithfield.

"We are very excited about this class of young men we have added to our program," said Grasso. "We upgraded our size, athleticism, and our love and passion for the game of basketball. These young men will be great ambassadors for our University."

2 | Erickson Bans | G | 5-11 | 165 | Pawtucket, R.I./Shea

Before Bryant: Played four years at Shea High School in nearby Pawtucket … His 2,605 points are the most in Rhode Island Interscholastic League history … First-team Providence Journal All-State and a candidate for Player of the Year … Woonsocket Call/Pawtucket Times All-Area MVP … Gatorade Rhode Island Player of the Year … Averaged 30.1 points and six assists per game in the 2019-20 regular season and RIIL Division II tournament … Broke the state scoring record in December of his senior season … Advanced to the Division II semifinals in three of four years, winning the D2 title as a freshman.

Coach Grasso: "Erickson Bans is an explosive combo guard is an elite playmaker. Erickson has deep three-point shooting range and can shoot it off dribble and off the catch."

30 | Chris Childs | G | 6-2 | 180 | Bronx, N.Y./Woodstock Academy (Conn.) (Indian Hills CC)

Before Bryant: Second team NJCAA All-America selection and ICACC Player of the Year at Indian Hills CC … Averaged 14.2 points per game, shooting 45% from the field and from three while adding three assists per game … Team went 30-3 and earned the No. 2 seed in the NJCAA Tournament … Played his freshman year at Saint Joseph (Conn.) for Jim Calhoun, averaging 18.7 points per game and knocking down 48.7% of three-pointers and 85.3% of free throws … Ranked fourth in Division III in three-point percentage as a freshman and was three-time GNAC Rookie of the Week.

Coach Grasso: "Chris Childs was one of the top three-point shooters in the nation the past two seasons. His basketball IQ and ability to play both sides of the ball will immediately impact our program. He will add a much-needed scoring punch and a New York City swagger."

11 | Melo Eggleston | G | 6-8 | 200 | Suitland, Md./Notre Dame Prep (Mass.) (Arkansas State)

Before Bryant: Averaged 8.4 points and 5.1 rebounds over 20 games and 10 starts for Sun Belt member Arkansas State … Scored in double figures 10 times in 20 games with a pair of double-doubles … Averaged 11.2 points per game in his first nine Sun Belt contests … Appeared in 21 games at Wake Forest as a freshman … Ranked at No. 19 nationally by position by Rivals with over a dozen offers from high-major programs during his high school career.

Coach Grasso: "Melo Eggleston was a top-100 player coming out of high school and has a huge upside. His length and athleticism will allow him to guard any position on the floor. Offensively Melo is a 6'8" playmaker who has had prior success at the Division I level that we hope will carry over here at Bryant."

0 | Darius Guinn | F | 6-7 | 195 | Beaverton, Ore./Grant (Central Wyoming)

Before Bryant: Averaged 17.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game on 45.5% shooting and 35.7% from three in 31 games as a sophomore at Central Wyoming College … Leading scorer on a Rustler team that went 20-11 in 2019-20 … His 192 made free throws ranked sixth in the NJCAA … Averaged 12.0 points per game as a freshman and holds the school's two-year scoring record … Oregon 6A State Champion at Grant High School … Brother, Jordan Rainey, played at Iowa State and Washington State before a career in the G League and overseas.

Coach Grasso: "Darius Guinn is a skilled wing player who can play inside and out. He is able to stretch the floor with his shooting ability and can make plays off the dribble. He is a guy who can defend multiple positions and led his region in charges taken (five in one game) this season. He will give us a boost of defensive toughness."

35 | Luke Sutherland | F | 6-7 | 203 | Syracuse, N.Y./West Genesee (Siena)

Before Bryant: Joins the Bulldogs after appearing in seven games as a freshman at Siena … Named Mr. Basketball CNY, all-state, all-league and all-CNY as a senior at West Genesee High School … Won a state championship as a senior … all-league and all-CNY as a junior … Father was an All-American wrestler at Buffalo, brother was an All-American soccer player at Oneonta, sister played basketball at Loyola Maryland and mother played soccer at Le Moyne … AAU teammate of the Bulldogs' Charles Pride with the New York Jayhawks.

Coach Grasso: "Luke Sutherland is an athletic frontcourt player who can really stretch the floor with his shooting ability. Luke's athleticism will give him the opportunity to play either of our frontcourt positions and his gym rat work ethic will be a great fit in our culture."

Follow Bryant University men's basketball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get an inside look at the program and for updates on schedule and ticket information for the 2020-21 season.