ELON, N.C. – Elon head men’s basketball coach Matt Matheny recently announced the addition of three newcomers to the Phoenix program in 2011-12. Kevin Blake (Toronto, Canada/Oakwood Collegiate Institute), Austin Hamilton (Herndon, Va./Herndon) and Ryan Winters (Denver, Colo./Regis Jesuit) all will don the maroon and gold next season.

“We are excited about our three newcomers and the characteristics of work ethic, toughness and coachability that they all have as they join our basketball family,” noted Matheny.

Blake, a 6-3, 180-pound guard from Toronto, Canada, played for Oakwood Collegiate Institute under Anthony Miller, leading the squad to the Toronto South Region Title and the 4A Toronto City Championship in 2010-11. As a junior, Blake also helped the team to the Provincial Championship and a number two ranking in the nation after producing a 44-4 record. He was also the leading scorer (15.4 ppg) on the Ontario U17 team, earning first-team All-Star recognition at the 2010 National Championships. Kevin is the son of Kevin Blake and Daliah Ince.

“Kevin embodies many qualities that we look for in an Elon man,” Matheny stated. “He is tough, coachable, has great character and is a worker. He played a large role in the success of his high school program.”

Hamilton, a point guard out of Herndon, Va., played for Chris Whelan at Herndon High School. The 5-10, 175-pound guard was the Concorde District Player of the Year as a junior before being honored as the Concorde District and Northern Region Player of the Year in his final season. Hamilton was a first-team all-region selection as a junior and senior and earned first-team all-metro and all-state accolades in 2010-11. Averaging 23.7 ppg, Hamilton scored his 1,000th career point during his senior season. He led Herndon to the district title with a 23-3 record as a senior, rallying his squad from a 12-point deficit in the championship game to claim the crown. Hamilton was also selected to play for the
D.C. All-Stars against the U.S. All-Stars at the 38th annual Capital Classic, a prestigious basketball all-star game in Upper Marlboro, Md. Austin is the son of Walter and Marva Hamilton.

“Austin comes from a high school program in northern Virginia with a lot of tradition,” commented Matheny. “We found out about Austin from his high school coach and are confident that Coach Whelan has prepared him very well.”

A 6-7, 195-pound wingman out of Denver, Colo., Winters is certainly no stranger to the game of basketball or to the Southern Conference. Son of Brian Winters, a nine-year NBA veteran and standout at the University of South Carolina, Winters’ brother Brendan starred under Matheny at Davidson from 2002-06. Winters led Regis Jesuit to three consecutive 5A state championships, capping off his senior year by sinking two late-game free throws to clinch the three-peat over Boulder High by a score of 63-59 in front of 11,000 fans. Regis Jesuit boasted a record of 75-6 over those three years and Winters was named to the 2011 all-tournament team and earned honorable mention all-state honors for two consecutive seasons. Winters also helped the Raiders and coach Ken Shaw to back-to-back Continental League crowns. Two of Winters’ sisters have also played collegiate athletics — Meghan, who is a junior on the basketball team at Gonzaga, and Keelin who played soccer at Portland University and is a member of the USA U-23 National Team. One of six children, Ryan is the son of Brian and Julie Winters. 

“Ryan comes from a basketball family and is a three-time state champion,” said Matheny. “He has an incredible work ethic and his potential is limitless.

“All of our newcomers are winners and have enjoyed much success at their respective high schools,” Matheny continued. “We expect them to bring their successful experiences to our Elon family and to play a role in helping us elevate our program.”