Cameron Copeland looks to pass the ball during Austin Peay's first practice of the season Monday.
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Monday marked the first official day of practice for Austin Peay State University and head coach Nate James. It also tipped off the second season for the three-time national champion as he manages his strongest and deepest roster yet.
The Governors worked out for two hours inside Winfield Dunn Center as they began preparations for the season opener Nov. 7 at North Carolina State. The team returns a mix of veteran leadership and highly-touted newcomers.
James has a squad he believes has the depth to make noise in their first season in the ASUN Conference.Â
Austin Peay returns its top two scorers - sophomore Elijah Hutchins-Everett (12.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and redshirt sophomore Caleb Stone-Carrawell (11.4 ppg) - from a season ago. Hutchins-Everett, the only Governor to start all 29 games, was also voted OVC Freshman of the Year last year.
Seniors Carlos Paez and Cameron Copeland and sophomore Drew Calderon will be counted on as a trio of leaders who have been embedded with James from the outset. Returning senior Codey Bates, redshirt sophomore Jalen Ware and sophomore Jacob Roberts will also have a hand in setting the standard for seven newcomers in the locker room.
Elijah Perkins, Guy Fauntleroy, and Kelechi Okworogwo are true freshmen. They are joined by Missouri transfer Sean Durugordon, San Jose State transfer Shon Robinson, Wallace State Community College transfer Nathan Moore, and Columbia State Community College transfer and Clarksville native Kamarie Coffey.
