The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

THE Battle 4 Atlantis traditionally gives Bahamians an early look at some of the top incoming freshman classes in all of NCAA Division I basketball and the 2015 tournament later this month looks to continue that trend.

Another strong field for the tournament, which continues to grow in prestige each year, will include the Syracuse University Orangemen, the Michigan Wolverines, The University of Texas Longhorns, The Gonzaga University Bulldogs, The University of Washington Huskies, The Texas A&M Aggies, University of Charlotte 49ers and the University of Connecticut Huskies, who are making their second appearance at the tournament.

Along with Bahamian Tavario Miller, the Aggies will also field the No.6 recruiting class in the nation, giving local and visiting college basketball enthusiasts a look at a lineup that features three of the top 35 players in the nation, according to ESPN.com.

Just days ago, four-star guard Kobie Eubanks announced he would be joining the Aggies as part of the 2015 class and pending qualifying test scores, will be eligible to participate on December 19 against Baylor.

The Aggies will also welcome a trio of front court players from Texas products, including high school teammates Tyler Davis (No.27) and DJ Hogg (No.35), along with post player Elijah Thomas (No.31).

Miller is a 6ft 7in junior forward, who averaged 2.7 points and three rebounds per game last season. In his freshman year he averaged 1.8 points and 2.4 rebounds in just under 10 minutes per game.

Originally from North Long Island, Miller is the son of Patricia Bain and Gregory Miller and grandson of Rossie Knowles.

Despite their recent controversies, Syracuse has still managed to sign the No.8 recruiting class in the nation for the upcoming season which includes four players in ESPN.com’s top 100.

Dynamic wing (No.23) Malachi Richardson will lead the class which also includes No.56 Moustapha Diagne, No.74 Tyler London and No.92 Franklin Howard.

Washington boasts the No.12 incoming freshman class with No.49 Dejounte Murray and No.60 Marquese Chriss.

The Longhorns will feature the Bahamian Shaquille Cleare and the No.15 recruiting class for 2015. The Texas newcomers will be led by No.45 ranked Ed Davis a shooting guard, No.47 point guard Kerwin Roach and No.48, small forward Tevin Mack.

The 6ft 9in 270lb Cleare transferred from the Maryland Terrapins in the Atlantic Coast Conference to join the Longhorns in the Big 12. The Androsian native is the son of Brian and and Agatha Cleare.

The Bahamian public will have an opportunity to watch local players in action at the Battle 4 Atlantis for the second consecutive year when the 2015 edition of the tournament tips off on November 25 at the resort on Paradise Island.

The field will offer an opportunity to renew some of the most notable conference rivalries that have been sidetracked by conference realignment.

Syracuse and UConn had one of the most heated rivalries in the Big East before the Huskies moved to the American Athletic Conference.

Texas and Texas A & M are another pair of former rivals (Big 12) that have not met on the hardwood since the Aggies left the Big 12 for the SEC.

Gonzaga and Washington had a popular rivalry in the 1980s and 1990s but recently, have not played since 2006. They planned to renew the rivalry with a home-and-away series in 2016, but the Battle 4 Atlantis will provide an early preview.

Michigan could possibly play Syracuse for the second straight season if the two were to meet at the B4A after they face each other last season in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

Charlotte has had recent success in non-conference tournaments, winning the Puerto Rico Tip-Off in 2013 and reaching the Charleston Classic final last season.

Conference USA is the host league of the event and must have a representative in the field each year.