Gardner-Webb Lands Naji Hibbert
The Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs may have been hit harder than any other team this offseason by transfers. Starters Jason Dawson and Stefon Johnson decided to leave, as well as reserves Santoine Butler and Kyle Dennis. Chris Holtmann has supplemented the losses with the signing of four recruits, including two-star guard Isiah Ivey. Holtmann than lander a even bigger fish in Texas A&M transfer Naji Hibbert. Hibbert is from Baltimore where he played for the legendary DC high school powerhouse DeMatha. Coming out of DeMatha he was a Top 100 recruit and chose Texas A&M over Miami, Clemson, and Florida State.
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Hibbert has struggled at Texas A&M and almost left when Mark Turgeon bolted for Maryland. He stuck it out under new coach Billy Kennedy, but has now decided to play his freshman year elsewhere. Hibbert will have to sit out a year and due to only the one year of eligibility left his only two major choices were Gardner-Webb and Boston University. Most interestingly Hibbert had never been to Gardner-Webb prior to signing. Hibbert recently commented on taking a year off:
“I have a lot of things I’m looking forward to [studying]. … [By] sitting out, I’ll work [more] in the classroom, and get stronger and work on my game. The year off will be real helpful because I didn’t get a chance to play as much last year. God did give me a blessing to sit out and work hard, no stress.” via Baltimore Sun
