ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The 2022-23 recruiting class for Missouri Western Men's Basketball is set, with four future Griffons signing on to play for Head Coach
Will Martin and embrace the flow.
Matching last's year total of
four MWSU newcomers, this year's class includes one state champion, a St. Joseph player of the year with Griffon roots, a New Zealand national champion and an all-time blocked shots leader. Overall, the class consists of three incoming freshmen and one junior college transfer.
ASHTON SMITH
Guard
6-1, 170 lbs
Sagemont Preparatory School
Weston, Fla.
A second team all-state player who led his team to the Class 2A state championship and a 54-10 record over the last two seasons,
Ashton Smith comes to MWSU as a proven winner. Scoring 12.2 points per game, he finished third in all of Florida with 7.3 assists per contest, helping him earn first all-county honors. This eventually earned him a spot in
King of the Bluegrass Holiday Classic, where he made the all-tournament team.
"Ashton is the ultimate winner! He is an extremely skilled guard who can score on all three levels," Martin said. "Most impressive about Ashton's game is his willingness and ability to create advantages and assist the basketball. He has a passion and love for the game that will be contagious on day one in our program!"
CAMDEN BENNETT
Guard
6-3, 200 lbs
Lafayette HS
St. Joseph, Mo.
The younger brother of
Caleb Bennett, Camden arrives at MWSU after wrapping up a legendary career at Lafayette High School. In the last four years, he became a
two-time St. Joseph News-Press NOW Boys Basketball Player of the Year, earning three All-MEC selections and two all-state nods so far in his prolific career. After averaging 20 PPG and six rebounds per game in 2022-23, Bennett has a chance to boost his St. Joseph basketball legacy as a Griffon.
"It is always special when we can keep backyard talent in St Joe! This is especially true with
Camden Bennett," Martin said. "Camden is a unique talent with all the tools to have success both on and off the court at Missouri Western. He possesses an immense amount of toughness and leadership qualities that will make immediate impacts on the fabric of our team."
KIANI SAXON
Forward
6-8, 205 lbs
Louisiana State University of Eunice
Liston College HS
Auckland, New Zealand
A junior college transfer and All-LCCAC Honorable Mention at LSUE in 2022-23,
Kiani Saxon stomped the opposition when it came to collecting boards in his sophomore campaign. Saxon led his team with 5.3 RPG, highlighted by an 18-rebound performance vs. Southern University Shreveport Louisiana, the second most in program history. Before he tallied 7.9 PPG and shot 55.2% from the field and 38.9% from downtown last season, Saxon also once helped North Harbour win a New Zealand U19 national championship in 2019.
"Kiani is tough, physical and constantly finds ways to impact winning on the basketball court," Martin said. "He has the opportunity to help our team immediately on the court with his ability to score and defend at a high level. Kiani is a team first player who has an innate skillset of making everyone around him better."
KY GREEN
Forward
6-6, 185 lbs
Liberty HS
Peoria, Ariz.
A burden for opposing would-be scorers and a nuisance on defense in general,
Ky Green is now a Griff after a record-breaking career at Liberty High School. He holds the team's all-time blocks mark with 91, a feat he accomplished in just two years. Green comes to St. Joe as a two-time all-region first team player, picking up an all-state second team achievement in 2022-23 thanks to a slash line of 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks per game.
"We are so excited to announce Ky as the final piece of our 2023 recruiting class!" Martin exclaimed. "Ky is an extremely talented athlete with no limits to what he can accomplish with his game. His game continues to evolve and reach new levels. Most impressive, Ky has a true passion to defend and sacrifice for his teammates on both ends of the floor."
