LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Bellarmine University men's basketball coach Scott Davenport has announced four more players who will be joining the Knights for the 2010-11 season. 

Julian Wilkison a 6-1 guard from Rollins College has enrolled at Bellarmine, where he will be a junior, and the remaining three players are incoming freshmen: Hayden Simon, a 6-6 center/forward from Daviess County (Ky.) High School; Garrett Ross a 6-3 guard from Corydon Central High School; and Tony Hamann (pronounced HAHM-in), a 6-6 forward from Loveland (Ohio) High School.

“We are thrilled with the four newest members of our basketball program,” said Coach Davenport. “They bring tremendous experience in Julian Wilkinson and quality depth in Hayden, Tony and Garrett. Anytime you bring in prospects who come out of quality programs you have really helped your program. They all come very well prepared academically and athletically.”

Davenport added, “Our practices will be the most competitive day in day out since I came to Bellarmine. This is a real key to becoming a championship caliber team.”

Wilkison, started at point guard in 31 of Rollins's 33 games last year on an NCAA Division II team that was ranked in the national top 20 most of the year and advanced to the NCAA regionals. Wilkison is a native of Cincinnati and starred at Anderson High School, where he earned conference player of the year honors his senior season when he averaged 20.2 points and four assists a game. Frank Brandy, Wilkison's high school coach, said, “Julian will be a really good player (for Bellarmine). He's a team guy and will do whatever he needs to do to make the team better.” 

Simon averaged 15.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocked shots a game as a senior at Daviess County. “He was our go-to guy,” said Coach Caleb Smith.  “He developed into one of the best post players in our area. He was solid on the block but had a good 15-foot jump shot as well,” Smith added. “I don't think players realize what a high level the Great Lakes Valley Conference basketball is, but I have no doubt (Simon) can be successful at that level.”

Ross helped lead Corydon Central to a sectional championship in 2009-10, averaging 15 points, six rebounds and five assists a game.  “He was a crucial member of our team's success,” said Jamie Kolkmeier, Corydon Central head boys basketball coach. “He has all the physical tools to have some success,” he added. “He has good quickness and length, and he's quick with the basketball. At the high school level, they (opponents) knew he was going to drive by them, but there was nothing they could do about it.”

Hamann hails from the same high school athletic conference as Wilkison, where he earned 1st team All-Fort Ancient Valley Conference honors last year as a senior for Loveland High School. He also earned team most valuable player honors by leading the team in points (15.8 ppg), field goal percentage (59.8 %), and rebounding (6.3 rpg). 

These four players bring the total newcomers to the Bellarmine program to seven for 2010-11.  The Knights earlier got commitments from incoming freshmen Keisten Jones of Louisville's Ballard High School and Jacob Jenkins of Louisville's Manual High School (St. Thomas More Prep) as well as Purdue transfer Stevie Loveless, who will be a sophomore.