After a historic season, High Point basketball looks to finish the job in 2024-25.
The tradition continues! CBB Review is again ranking the top 100 teams heading into the new college basketball season. Each day, we will reveal the next team until we reach the team slotted at number one. Up next: High Point basketball.
What a season 2023-24 was in High Point, NC. The Panthers posted their best Division I season ever, finishing at 27-9 and capturing an outright Big South regular-season title. Unfortunately, heartbreak ensued in the conference tournament semifinals, denying High Point a chance to play in basketball’s best tournament. However, the Panthers were invited to the College Basketball Invitational and finished as the runners-up.
High Point basketball raked in the accolades for all their accomplishments. The Panthers placed Duke Miles, Kezza Giffa, and Kimani Hamilton on the Big South First Team. Miles also earned Newcomer of the Year. Coach Alan Huss, in his first season, earned Coach of the Year honors after winning the most games of any Big South coach ever in their first season. Finally, big man Juslin Bodo Bodo earned both Freshman and Defensive Player of the Year honors.
With only Miles gone from last year’s team, the question now is can High Point repeat all of that success in 2024-25? The Panthers certainly make a strong case, but they will have the target on their back. How they handle that pressure will determine if they can not only repeat, but finish the job this year.
Head coach: Alan Huss (2nd season at High Point and overall)
2023-24 record: 27-9 (13-3)
2024 postseason finish: Lost to Seattle (77-67) in the CBI Championship
Notable departure:
- Duke Miles (17.5 PPG, 3.6 APG, 1.3 SPG)
Notable non-conference games:
- N/A
Projected Rotation
PG: Kezza Giffa (6-2, 165, Jr.)
2023-2024 stats: 16.2 PPG, 2.9 APG, 2.9 RPG, 0.6 SPG
SG: Abdoulaye Thiam (6-4, 185, Jr.)
2023-2024 stats: 12.7 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 0.9 APG, 36.1% 3P%
SF: Trae Benham (6-4, 205, Jr.)
2023-2024 stats: 8.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 0.9 APG, 37.0% 3P%
PF: Kimani Hamilton (6-7, 220, So.)
2023-2024 stats: 14.9 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.2 SPG
C: Juslin Bodo Bodo (7-0, 240, So.)
2023-2024 stats: 7.1 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 0.2 APG, 1.9 BPG
6: Dee Barnes (6-4, 193, Gr.)
2023-2024 stats: 6.1 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 0.6 APG, 43.8% 3P% (Southern Utah)
7: Bobby Pettiford Jr. (6-0, 196, Jr.)
2023-2024 stats: 7.8 PPG, 3.4 APG, 2.3 RPG (East Carolina)
8: Chase Johnston (6-2, 185, Jr.)
2023-2024 stats: 9.7 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.0 APG (Florida Gulf Coast)
9: Titas Sargiunas (6-4, 180, So.)
2023-24 stats: 3.2 PPG, 1.1 RPG, 0.7 APG, 11.6 MPG
High Point Basketball Team MVP: Kezza Giffa
One of the most impressive things about the season Kezza Giffa had last season for High Point basketball is that he made the conference’s first team primarily coming off the bench to do his damage. Giffa started in just nine of the 36 games the Panthers played, but was the team’s second-leading scorer and assist man. With Miles gone, Giffa will be expected to step into that starting role while maintaining his production. He should have no problem filling that role.
High Point Basketball make-or-break player: Juslin Bodo Bodo
Juslin Bodo Bodo accomplished just about everything you can as a freshman last season for the Panthers. He led the Big South in rebounds and blocks per game, which helped him capture the aforementioned accolades above.
The reason he is the team’s make-or-break player this season is due to the question of whether he can repeat that success and avoid a sophomore slump. The Big South has some very underrated coaches who will look to figure out ways to slow Bodo Bodo down this season. His ability to maintain or improve his numbers and give High Point an inside threat will be huge in helping the team balance their production.
Key analytic: Offensive Rebound Percentage
High Point was tenth in the nation last year in offensive rebounding percentage. That number was certainly bolstered by Bodo Bodo, who had 151 offensive rebounds on his own, 47 more than the next player on the list in the league. The ability to get two or more looks on the offensive end cannot be understated, especially when those opportunities can usually leave defenses vulnerable as they crash the glass themselves. If High Point basketball can repeat this success, they’ll be hard to beat in the Big South and could give a high-major team trouble in the Big Dance.
High Point Basketball 2024-25 projections
Projected conference finish: 1st in Big South
Projected postseason ceiling: NCAA Tournament Round of 64