Philadelphia, Pa. - (11/8/2019) – As the Chestnut Hill College men's basketball program enters its 17^th season, Founder and Head Coach, Jesse Balcer looks to redefine the Griffin culture with as roster that features 15 underclassmen. "Winning games is secondary at this point. We are looking to build a culture. We have a group of young men who are looking to battle. Wins will come with time." Among them are freshmen Jesse Balcer Jr. (Lafayette Hill, Pa.) and Kurt Von Colln (Altoona, Pa.) who make the 2019-2020 roster extra special. The first is a coach's son who has felt at home in Sorgenti Arena since the age of two and the second is the younger brother of Chestnut Hill College Hall of Famer Shawn Bolling '07 (HOF Class of 2014).
 
Limited in experience, senior Billy Miller VI (Pine Hill, N.J.), sophomore Juston Bailey (Riverdale, Md.), and sophomore transfer James Rider IV (Baltimore, Md./Davis & Elkins College) have been identified as the Chestnut Hill College captains for the 2019-2020 season. The group is charged with leading the Griffins following a 3-25 campaign that saw the Scarlet and Gold go winless (0-19) in league play. Miller is a perimeter players who averaged 6.4 points-per-game (PPG) and enjoyed a pair of 19-point performances in his junior campaign. He was a .366 (26-of-71) three-point shooter a year ago and will continue to help the Scarlet and Gold space the floor this year. Bailey made five starts as a freshman, but will be a one of Balcer's regulars in his sophomore season. His hustle and heart shined through last season and produced 4.5 PPG, 1.6 rebounds-per-game (RPG), nine assists, five blocks, and three steals. Rider, who comes to Chestnut Hill College from Davis & Elkins College, is one of 12 newcomers. As a captain, his leadership skills have been evident throughout preseason, while his game kills have earned him starting role at shooting guard.
 
Joining Bailey and Rider on the starting five will be a combination of junior transfer Eli Barrett (Harrisburg, Pa. /Northampton Community College), sophomore forwards Keyon Butler (Chester, Pa.) and Amir Warrick (Washington, DC), freshmen guards Conor Regan (Mullica Hill, N.J.) and Scottie Spann Jr. (Philadelphia, Pa.), and freshman forward Julius Phillips (Philadelphia, Pa.). Last year, Butler (27 games played – 2 games started) offered 9.6 PPG, a team-high 4.7 RPG, eight assists, a block, and 14 steals, while Warrick (27gp-5gs) provided 7.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 48 assists, eight blocks, and 29 steals. Regan is charged with starting point guard duties, contributing to a theme of length, defense, and scoring with his 6-6 frame and a touch from the outside. Other notable members of the 2019-2020 roster include Balcer, Von Colln, fellow freshman guards Aaron Butler Jr. (Baltimore, Md.), Mo Kahney (Lansdale, Pa.), Mark Kalala (Conshohocken, Pa.), Gabe Perez (Philadelphia, Pa.), freshman center Ebone Junior (Burtonsville, Md.), sophomore guard Trevonn Pitts (Wyncote, Pa.), and junior guard Colin Flach (Glenside, Pa.). Flach joins Miller as an experience backcourt player who offers a perimeter option.
 
"I expect us to play with a lot of energy," said a rejuvenated Coach Balcer. "We will make our share of mistakes, but our determination and pride is going to keep us in a lot of games. We will have our chances to win a lot of games."
 
The Griffins will get their first chance on Saturday, November 9, when they travel to Albany, New York, for the College of St. Rose Tipp-off Tournament. Chestnut Hill College begin their tournament play with a 7:00 p.m. contest against the hosting Knights.