Men's Basketball | August 14, 2024

AIKEN, S.C. – USCA, in conjunction with head men's basketball coach Mark Vanderslice, is excited to announce the addition of nine student-athletes for the upcoming 2024-25 campaign.

Brandon Beidleman, Caleb Byrd, Davion Cunningham, Mason Grant, Tyler Husband, Xavier Johnson, Cam Perkins, Rafael Rubel and Kaleb Siler will all continue their academic and athletic careers with the Pacers beginning this fall.

Beidleman is a graduate student from Charlotte, N.C. The 5-10 guard attended Benedict College. There, he averaged 9.2 points, 3.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. During his time there, Beidleman helped his team reach the NCAA Tournament. 

"We're thrilled about the addition of Brandon to our program," Vanderslice said. "He comes to us by way of Benedict College. Brandon is a proven leader that has shown to put winning first. As someone that prides himself in defense, his 'defense first' mindset embodies the very essence of what our program preaches. Aside from his defensive prowess, he's an incredible passer and a 3-level scorer that creates for others. As a versatile guard, his energy and zeal for making others around him better is one of the major qualities that drew me to him."

Byrd is a junior from Mauldin, S.C. The 6-2 guard attended Newberry. There, he accounted for 10.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists a game as a sophomore. After posting 7.2 points, 2.2 assists and 2.1 rebounds, he garnered All-Freshman Team accolades. 

"We couldn't be more excited to welcome Caleb to our Aiken family," Vanderslice stated. "He comes to us as a battle-tested guard from Newberry College. There isn't much that Caleb can't do on the basketball floor. Along with being a phenomenal scorer and passer he takes pride in being someone that dominates on the defensive side as well. His size and strength at his position provide versatility and toughness on both ends of the floor for us. He checks all the boxes as a leader, and we will be looking for him to bring that skill set with him to Aiken."

Cunningham is a junior from Charlotte, N.C. The 6-3 guard attended UNC Asheville. As a sophomore, he played in 19 games, draining 50 percent of his shots from the floor. He posted a career-high 15 points on six field goals against Carolina University and snagged a career-best seven boards against South Carolina State. 

"We are ecstatic to welcome Davion to the Pacer community," Vanderslice said. "He is the consummate competitor that's fearless on both ends of the floor. He has won championships at every level and understands what it takes to win. As a high motor athletic guard, his size and strength on the defensive end will create havoc for the opposition. Offensively, he has an elite level first step that can create for others off the bounce or score in a multitude of different ways. His downhill driving capability will be very difficult to defend in the Peach Belt. He has the ability to take over the game in more ways than one and we are excited to have him join our family."

Grant is a redshirt junior from North Charleston, S.C. The 6-5 guard/forward attended Campbell University. As a redshirt sophomore, he appeared in 24 games, earning five starts. Grant averaged 3.3 points and 1.8 boards a night. In the season opener, he tallied 11 points and five boards against Navy. He also finished third on the team in blocked shots. 

"Mason is as tough as they come," Vanderslice stated. "His approach to the game as a serious competitor is one of the many attributes that attracted me to him. As an athletic big guard from Campbell University, he is equipped to thrive on both ends of the floor. His footwork and use of angles on the defensive end is incredible. He can guard any position, and this versatility is hard to find. Conversely, he will be an immediate threat on the offensive end. His ability to shoot, drive, and score at the rim will extend defenses and consequently create mismatches for opponents. I am thrilled to be able to coach Mason and can't wait for him to get started."

Husband is a freshman from Atlanta, Ga. The 6-0 guard attended Westlake H.S. A two-time first-team honoree, Husband poured in over 1,000 points in his career. 

"Tyler is a proven winner that comes to us from Middle GA Prep," Vanderslice said. "He was one of our first recruits from the freshman class and we are elated to have him a part of the program. He is a combo guard that can score at all three levels. Tyler is extremely cerebral and understands how the game should be played at multiple positions. His ability to 'wiggle' off the bounce allows him to create a first step advantage against his defenders. Above all, he fits our team identity of defense and rebounding. His high IQ will allow him to pick up on defensive schemes and rotations early in his tenure." 

Johnson is a freshman from Eastover, N.C. The 6-4 guard was a two-time all-district selection at Fayetteville Academy. An all-state honoree as a junior, he was a two-time team MVP and two-time all-tournament team selection. Johnson accounted for 18.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists as a junior. He chipped in 12.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.0 steals a game his senior campaign. 

"Xavier joins our freshman class out of Fayetteville N.C." Vanderslice stated. "As an athletic guard there isn't much he can't do. I was immediately impressed with his toughness and fearless mindset on both ends of the court. His skill and athleticism will be a perfect fit for our style of play. Xavier loves to play in the open court and he has the skills to finish above the rim out of transition.  Along with his open court savvy, he has proven to be a defender that creates disruption with his length for opponents. I can't wait for him to get started and welcome him to our Pacer family." 

Perkins is a freshman from Warner Robins, Ga. The 5-11 guard attended Warner Robins H.S. A first-team all-state selection as a senior, he was a three-time all-region honoree. Perkins is the school's all-time leading scorer and assist leader. A three-time all-Middle Georgia honoree, he garnered honorable mention all-state accolades his junior campaign. Perkins is also a member of the National Honor Society. 

"I fell in love with his game the first time I saw him play," Vanderslice said. "His tenacity and toughness can't be taught. He has a combination of composure and energy that is heavily revered. Cam prides himself on being a defensive stopper and his on-ball defense give opponents fits. He is extremely quick and understands how to use his body when defending.  Along with being a terrific ballhandler, he can score at all three levels. His pass-first mentality and leadership traits are qualities I am looking to embrace from day one. His work ethic is second to none and is the definition of a gym rat. I am more than excited to have him join our freshman class on this year's team."

Rubel is a junior from La Romana, D.R. The 6-0 guard attended Central Georgia Technical College. There, he averaged 10 points, 4.7 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 steals a game. He finished second nationally in steals per contest. In high school, he guided his team to a spot in the state championship as a junior after averaging 19 points, six rebounds, 5.2 assists and 4.2 steals per game. He erupted for 32.3 points, seven rebounds and 5.3 steals per game at Saint John School as a senior. 

"We are thrilled to have Rafael a part of our Pacer family," Vanderslice stated. "He is an extremely cerebral player that understands how the game is played. As a versatile guard that has terrific eyes, he can read and react to defenses with the best of them. He possesses a combination of grit, toughness, and intensity that we look for in our guys. He has an uncanny will to win and is willing to compete at the highest level. As a three-level scorer he will force defenses to pick their poison on how to guard him. His style of play translates perfectly on how we play here at Aiken."

Siler is a redshirt freshman from Fayetteville, N.C. The 6-10 center attended Western Carolina and redshirted during the 2023-24 campaign. At Carmel Christian School, he played in 61 games. Siler posted a career-high 20 points against Dudley H.S. Throughout his career, he averaged 5.6 points and 3.1 rebounds a game. 

"Kaleb joins our Pacer family as a redshirt freshman from Western Carolina," Vanderslice said. "We have followed him since high school where he won a state championship at Carmel Christian. Along with being a true winner, he is a dominant forward that has an extremely high skill set. He has incredible hands, tremendous footwork, and can attack opponents from a variety of spaces. His size, strength, skill and toughness will inevitably be hard to stop. I was impressed with his basketball acumen and great feel for the game. His coachability, character, and work ethic fit Aiken basketball like a glove. We are elated to have him apart of the program and can't wait to see a Pacer uniform on him in the fall."