The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Run It Back: Jemison, Lovan and Buffen Return for the 2022-23 Season
4/27/2022 1:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM – Time to run it back.
On Tuesday, Trey Jemison, Tavin Lovan and KJ Buffen, all key contributors to UAB's Conference USA Tournament Championship run this past season, announced that they will be returning to UAB for the 2022-23 season. The trio combined to appear in 102 games with 87 starts this past season, helping lead the Blazers to their 16th NCAA Tournament appearance.
Jemison, UAB's leader in total rebounds (252), rebounds per game (7.4), total blocks (52) and blocks per game (1.5), ranked fourth in Conference USA in offensive rebounds per game (2.74) this past season. The Birmingham native was one of only six players in Conference USA in 2021-22 with 10 or more games with 10+ rebounds.
"Birmingham has always been home for me," Jemison said. "After a great championship run and NCAA Tournament appearance, I know with the team we have coming back we can do it again.
"205, I'm back."
Lovan, a Preseason All-Conference USA selection in 2021-22, played in 33 games and made 20 starts this past season. He reached doubles figures in scoring 13 times, tying a season-high with 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting in UAB's NCAA Tournament matchup against Houston.
"Coming to Birmingham five years ago was one of the best decisions I ever made," Lovan said. "The memories that I have created are ones I will remember for the rest of my life.
"Cutting down the nets after winning the C-USA Tourney is one [moment] I won't forget, and I plan on using my extra year of eligibility to do it again!"
Buffen, an All-Conference USA Honorable Mention selection, ranked second on UAB's roster with 238 total rebounds, 6.8 rebounds per game and 24 total blocks. The Gainesville, Georgia native led the Blazers with eight double-doubles, recording nine double-digit rebounding efforts and 19 double-digit scoring efforts.
"When I decided to come to UAB, coach Kennedy talked about the Bartow Standard and winning championships," Buffen said. "While we have accomplished so much, I know there is so much more to be done."
Jemison, Lovan and Buffen will return to UAB next season alongside the addition six new Blazers, five of which are from the transfer portal. Eric Gaines (LSU), Javian Davis (Mississippi State), Ledarrius and Ty Brewer (ETSU), and Tyler Bertram (Binghamton) comprise the five student-athletes UAB and head coach Andy Kennedy have added through the transfer portal since March 30. The Blazers will also add in-state high school standout Efrem "Butta" Johnson to the 2022-23 roster.
MEN'S BASKETBALL TICKET INFORMATION
As the UAB men's basketball program celebrates a historic 2021-22 season, the UAB Department of Athletics has announced an early purchase incentive for Blazer fans and the Birmingham community to lock in their season tickets for the 2022-23 men's basketball season.
Fans who commit to their season tickets by April 30 will receive a commemorative Conference USA Champions banner as a token of appreciation for their support. The commemorative banner features a customized Conference USA Championship logo, and each season-ticket account that purchases by the end of April will receive this exclusive gift leading into the upcoming men's basketball season.
UAB men's basketball season-ticket packages for the 2022-23 season are on sale now and start for as low as $110 in Blaze's Corner. The public season-ticket price is set at $275, while season tickets for UAB employees and alumni are available for $245 per seat. Scholarship seating is also available, and fans can also request more information by clicking here.
On Tuesday, Trey Jemison, Tavin Lovan and KJ Buffen, all key contributors to UAB's Conference USA Tournament Championship run this past season, announced that they will be returning to UAB for the 2022-23 season. The trio combined to appear in 102 games with 87 starts this past season, helping lead the Blazers to their 16th NCAA Tournament appearance.
Jemison, UAB's leader in total rebounds (252), rebounds per game (7.4), total blocks (52) and blocks per game (1.5), ranked fourth in Conference USA in offensive rebounds per game (2.74) this past season. The Birmingham native was one of only six players in Conference USA in 2021-22 with 10 or more games with 10+ rebounds.
"Birmingham has always been home for me," Jemison said. "After a great championship run and NCAA Tournament appearance, I know with the team we have coming back we can do it again.
"205, I'm back."
Lovan, a Preseason All-Conference USA selection in 2021-22, played in 33 games and made 20 starts this past season. He reached doubles figures in scoring 13 times, tying a season-high with 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting in UAB's NCAA Tournament matchup against Houston.
"Coming to Birmingham five years ago was one of the best decisions I ever made," Lovan said. "The memories that I have created are ones I will remember for the rest of my life.
"Cutting down the nets after winning the C-USA Tourney is one [moment] I won't forget, and I plan on using my extra year of eligibility to do it again!"
Buffen, an All-Conference USA Honorable Mention selection, ranked second on UAB's roster with 238 total rebounds, 6.8 rebounds per game and 24 total blocks. The Gainesville, Georgia native led the Blazers with eight double-doubles, recording nine double-digit rebounding efforts and 19 double-digit scoring efforts.
"When I decided to come to UAB, coach Kennedy talked about the Bartow Standard and winning championships," Buffen said. "While we have accomplished so much, I know there is so much more to be done."
Jemison, Lovan and Buffen will return to UAB next season alongside the addition six new Blazers, five of which are from the transfer portal. Eric Gaines (LSU), Javian Davis (Mississippi State), Ledarrius and Ty Brewer (ETSU), and Tyler Bertram (Binghamton) comprise the five student-athletes UAB and head coach Andy Kennedy have added through the transfer portal since March 30. The Blazers will also add in-state high school standout Efrem "Butta" Johnson to the 2022-23 roster.
MEN'S BASKETBALL TICKET INFORMATION
As the UAB men's basketball program celebrates a historic 2021-22 season, the UAB Department of Athletics has announced an early purchase incentive for Blazer fans and the Birmingham community to lock in their season tickets for the 2022-23 men's basketball season.
Fans who commit to their season tickets by April 30 will receive a commemorative Conference USA Champions banner as a token of appreciation for their support. The commemorative banner features a customized Conference USA Championship logo, and each season-ticket account that purchases by the end of April will receive this exclusive gift leading into the upcoming men's basketball season.
UAB men's basketball season-ticket packages for the 2022-23 season are on sale now and start for as low as $110 in Blaze's Corner. The public season-ticket price is set at $275, while season tickets for UAB employees and alumni are available for $245 per seat. Scholarship seating is also available, and fans can also request more information by clicking here.
Players Mentioned
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