Coastal Carolina men’s basketball signs two recruits for 2016 class

The Coastal Carolina men’s basketball program officially announced two additions to its incoming recruiting class, picking up a junior college transfer who could help fill a key void in the front court and an athletic guard with tantalizing upside.

Coach Cliff Ellis announced on Thursday that 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward Demario Beck, from South Georgia Technical College, has signed and will join the Chants for his final two years of eligibility, while 6-foot-4 guard/small forward Artur Labinowicz, out of Charlotte, will join the team as a true freshman.

The Chants had previously added forwards Amidou Bamba and Joseph Williams-Powell during the fall signing period and have potentially one or two more scholarships to give out still as part of this incoming class.

“I would say in about two weeks we ought to pretty much have a cap on it,” Ellis said.

As for the newest additions, Beck has a chance to earn a key role immediately next season with the team losing three senior forwards.

He averaged 11.2 points and 9.7 rebounds for South Georgia Technical College last season while earning first-team all-conference honors. He was named the Georgia Class AA Player of the Year as a senior at Bleckley County High School in Georgia.

“He’s an experienced low post player,” Ellis said. “He’s got that strength and agility and he’s probably stronger than anybody we currently have. He can get up and down the floor [and] for a big guy he’s got good touch to 15 feet. We want to use him around the basket, and if he gets fouled he puts it in. And he plays hard.

“Anytime you bring junior college guys in you expect them to contribute immediately. We don’t give out positions at all, but you hope they’ll bring experience and be ready to go off the bat.”

Labinowicz, meanwhile, played at David W. Butler High School in Matthews, N.C., before attending prep school at Combine Academy in Charlotte. Last season he averaged 24 points, six rebounds, two blocks and two assists per game while shooting 44 percent from 3-point range.

“I really like his game,” Ellis said. “His vertical is unbelievable. He’s a small forward, he’ll come in with Colton [Ray-St Cyr]. He’s got great range with his shot, but an unbelievable vertical. I think this guy has really got a lot of upside. He’s going to be interesting to watch grow because he's got so many intangibles.

“There’s not a perimeter guy we have that has the vertical this guy has. He’s going to be young, but he’s a guy that I think is going to be a true small forward. He’s got the size, he’s got length, he’s got athleticism, he’s got touch. He’s got the package."

This story was originally published April 14, 2016 at 8:08 PM with the headline "Coastal Carolina men’s basketball signs two recruits for 2016 class."