The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Photo by: Sully Ortega
A Look at the 2024-25 Men’s Basketball Roster: Previewing the Guards
8/16/2024 1:42:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM – Andy Kennedy brought back experience and added depth to the UAB men's basketball backcourt heading into the 2024-25 season. Headlined by a pair of double-figure scorers in Efrem "Butta" Johnson and Alejandro Vasquez along with fifth year senior Tony Toney, the Blazer guards will look to make a major impact in the upcoming season.
Despite shooting only .327 from beyond the arc in 2023-24, the Blazers' lowest mark since the 2020-21 season, there is reason to believe that the 2024-25 squad will be much improved in this area. Along with the return of Johnson (56 3FG) and Vasquez (41 3FG), the Blazers brought in Tyren Moore from Georgia Southern. Moore shot .406 from three last season with the Eagles while averaging 17.0 points per game.
UAB has also added plenty of athleticism at the guard position to combat the loss of Eric Gaines with Iona transfer Greg Gordon and JUCO transfer Ja'Borri McGhee. Gordon averaged 16.0 points and 7.3 boards per game over 24 contests at Iona in 2023-24 while McGhee, the No. 3 player in the JUCORecruiting.com rankings, averaged 18.7 points. 3.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game at South Plains College.
"We have a lot of versatility and depth at the guard position this year." Efrem "Butta" Johnson said, "We should be able to throw many different schemes offensively and defensively to keep our opponents on their heels. We also do a good job sharing the ball with one another which makes it even harder on the other team to defend and keep up with our fast-paced style. Our returners know what's at stake and know how we play, it's just about getting the newcomers to get better and understand what we need out of them and to perfect that."
RETURNERS
Efrem "Butta" Johnson – 11.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.7 apg
Johnson was one of the Blazers' top scorers during his sophomore season in 2023-24. He hit a team-high 56 threes while reaching double figures in 20 games. Against San Diego State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, he led the team with 19 points and five threes.
Alejandro Vasquez – 11.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.1 apg
The 6'4 guard from New York put together a productive first season in the green and gold with five games of 20+ points, including a 29-point effort in the AAC championship game. Vasquez shot a team-high .394 from beyond the arc and added 3.4 boards per game.
Tony Toney – 4.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg
The fifth-year senior has been an impact player for the Blazers throughout his tenure at UAB. Toney has been a high-energy player on the defensive end and will bring a veteran level of experience to the 2024-25 roster.
Marquis Hargrove – Redshirted
After transferring in from Arizona Western, Hargrove Redshirted during his first season in Birmingham and will look to get into the rotation in his first year of action. He averaged 14.5 points per game in his last season at AWC.
Ryan Donohoo
Donohoo enters his senior season at UAB and has appeared in six games over the past three years.
NEWCOMERS
Greg Gordon – 16.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.3 apg (at Iona)
The Iona transfer will look to make an impact with his high motor and athleticism. The 6'5 guard is efficient around the rim and displays a keen ability to crash the offensive boards (3.5 orpg). Gordon has the ability to score in bunches with a pair of 30+ point efforts last season.
Ja'Borri McGhee – 18.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.2 apg (at South Plains)
The No. 3 JUCO player in the nation comes to UAB looking to make an early impact. McGhee is a highly athletic point guard whose presence will be felt on both the offensive and defensive end.
Tyren Moore – 17.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3.1 apg (at Georgia Southern)
Moore is a high-level shooter and will look to add another dimension to the UAB offense. At Georgia Southern, he displayed an explosive scoring ability putting up five 30+ point efforts, including a 36-point game against Appalachian State in the Sun Belt Tournament.
Reginald Kennedy Jr. – 23.7 ppg, 4.3 apg and 2.1 spg (at Middle Georgia Prep)
Incoming freshman RJ Kennedy will look to bring his scoring ability from Middle Georgia Prep to UAB. Kennedy finished his career as the all-time leading scorer in program history with 948 points after leading the Lions to 42-6 record.
Joey Kahn – 3.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg (at Coastal Carolina)
Kahn comes to UAB as a walk on after spending the last two seasons at Coastal Carolina.
2024-25 SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2024-25 UAB men's basketball season are now available. Season ticket packages will feature all home games during the 2024-25 basketball season and provide the most cost-effective way to attend games at Bartow Arena. Fans may purchase new season tickets or request more information on season ticket options here. Season ticket renewal applications will be available in the coming month leading into the September 1, 2024 men's basketball priority seat deadline. For more information about season ticket pricing, call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
POWER UP
UAB Athletics is excited to officially compete in the American Athletic Conference and needs Blazer Nation to Power Up by becoming a 2024 Blazer Boosters member. Join Blazer Boosters today as UAB student-athletes compete for championships, graduate with honors, and make a difference in our community.
FOLLOW THE BLAZERS
For more information on the UAB men's basketball team, follow @UAB_MBB on Twitter and Instagram.
Despite shooting only .327 from beyond the arc in 2023-24, the Blazers' lowest mark since the 2020-21 season, there is reason to believe that the 2024-25 squad will be much improved in this area. Along with the return of Johnson (56 3FG) and Vasquez (41 3FG), the Blazers brought in Tyren Moore from Georgia Southern. Moore shot .406 from three last season with the Eagles while averaging 17.0 points per game.
UAB has also added plenty of athleticism at the guard position to combat the loss of Eric Gaines with Iona transfer Greg Gordon and JUCO transfer Ja'Borri McGhee. Gordon averaged 16.0 points and 7.3 boards per game over 24 contests at Iona in 2023-24 while McGhee, the No. 3 player in the JUCORecruiting.com rankings, averaged 18.7 points. 3.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game at South Plains College.
"We have a lot of versatility and depth at the guard position this year." Efrem "Butta" Johnson said, "We should be able to throw many different schemes offensively and defensively to keep our opponents on their heels. We also do a good job sharing the ball with one another which makes it even harder on the other team to defend and keep up with our fast-paced style. Our returners know what's at stake and know how we play, it's just about getting the newcomers to get better and understand what we need out of them and to perfect that."
RETURNERS
Efrem "Butta" Johnson – 11.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.7 apg
Johnson was one of the Blazers' top scorers during his sophomore season in 2023-24. He hit a team-high 56 threes while reaching double figures in 20 games. Against San Diego State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, he led the team with 19 points and five threes.
Alejandro Vasquez – 11.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.1 apg
The 6'4 guard from New York put together a productive first season in the green and gold with five games of 20+ points, including a 29-point effort in the AAC championship game. Vasquez shot a team-high .394 from beyond the arc and added 3.4 boards per game.
Tony Toney – 4.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg
The fifth-year senior has been an impact player for the Blazers throughout his tenure at UAB. Toney has been a high-energy player on the defensive end and will bring a veteran level of experience to the 2024-25 roster.
Marquis Hargrove – Redshirted
After transferring in from Arizona Western, Hargrove Redshirted during his first season in Birmingham and will look to get into the rotation in his first year of action. He averaged 14.5 points per game in his last season at AWC.
Ryan Donohoo
Donohoo enters his senior season at UAB and has appeared in six games over the past three years.
NEWCOMERS
Greg Gordon – 16.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.3 apg (at Iona)
The Iona transfer will look to make an impact with his high motor and athleticism. The 6'5 guard is efficient around the rim and displays a keen ability to crash the offensive boards (3.5 orpg). Gordon has the ability to score in bunches with a pair of 30+ point efforts last season.
Ja'Borri McGhee – 18.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.2 apg (at South Plains)
The No. 3 JUCO player in the nation comes to UAB looking to make an early impact. McGhee is a highly athletic point guard whose presence will be felt on both the offensive and defensive end.
Tyren Moore – 17.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3.1 apg (at Georgia Southern)
Moore is a high-level shooter and will look to add another dimension to the UAB offense. At Georgia Southern, he displayed an explosive scoring ability putting up five 30+ point efforts, including a 36-point game against Appalachian State in the Sun Belt Tournament.
Reginald Kennedy Jr. – 23.7 ppg, 4.3 apg and 2.1 spg (at Middle Georgia Prep)
Incoming freshman RJ Kennedy will look to bring his scoring ability from Middle Georgia Prep to UAB. Kennedy finished his career as the all-time leading scorer in program history with 948 points after leading the Lions to 42-6 record.
Joey Kahn – 3.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg (at Coastal Carolina)
Kahn comes to UAB as a walk on after spending the last two seasons at Coastal Carolina.
2024-25 SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2024-25 UAB men's basketball season are now available. Season ticket packages will feature all home games during the 2024-25 basketball season and provide the most cost-effective way to attend games at Bartow Arena. Fans may purchase new season tickets or request more information on season ticket options here. Season ticket renewal applications will be available in the coming month leading into the September 1, 2024 men's basketball priority seat deadline. For more information about season ticket pricing, call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
POWER UP
UAB Athletics is excited to officially compete in the American Athletic Conference and needs Blazer Nation to Power Up by becoming a 2024 Blazer Boosters member. Join Blazer Boosters today as UAB student-athletes compete for championships, graduate with honors, and make a difference in our community.
FOLLOW THE BLAZERS
For more information on the UAB men's basketball team, follow @UAB_MBB on Twitter and Instagram.
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