Three T-Birds Invited to NJCAA Rising Stars Tournament

The NJCAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association released the Rising All-Star Class of 2024 invitees on Wednesday, June 14. 

The New Mexico Junior College Thunderbirds have three participants in the three-day event. WJCAC Freshman of the Year Jeremiah Cherry, sophomore forward Antwaun Massey, and sophomore-newcomer Chaydon Stone all will make their way to Council Bluffs, Iowa July 13-15.

According to the JCBCA, this year's class includes 60 athletes from 43 different colleges with 33 players from NJCAA DI schools, 25 from DII, and two from Division III.

The Rising Stars event is in its second year of existence. Players will be grouped into six teams and play three games between July 14-15.

Jeremiah Bear Cherry is the reigning WJCAC Freshman of the Year and WJCAC All-Conference. The rising sophomore center averaged 11 points, 6.9 rebounds, and shot 48.5% from the field in his first season in a Thunderbird uniform. 

Cherry also was selected to the JA48 event in Houston, TX (July 6-7). The event in Houston features the top 48 rising sophomores in the NJCAA. 

"Bear will be looking to build upon a breakout freshman season at NMJC," head coach Luke Mackay said. "Along with his JA48 invitation Bear has been invited to the All-American Juco Showcase in Atlanta (July 8-9) as well as the Rising Stars event presented by the NABC in Iowa (July 13-15). He is a vital piece that returns to NMJC in the fall." 

The second invitee is sophomore forward Antwaun Massey. The 6'8" forward battled through injuries in the first half of the 2022-23 season. Massey returned to action in time for conference play where he participated in 18 games with 16 starts. The Olathe, Kan. native averaged 7.3 points per game and shot 40.8% from the field.  

Massey returns to NMJC with a high ceiling as he enters his sophomore season in Hobbs. He has also been invited to the JA48 event in Houston (July 6-7).

"Antwaun is an athletic forward that is one of the top rising sophomores in America," Mackay said. "The summer invitations to the All-American Showcase event in Atlanta and the Rising Stars event in Iowa are proof that he is due for a big sophomore campaign."

The third T-Bird to participate in the Rising All-Star Class of 2024 event is Gordon State transfer guard Chaydon Stone. The Georgia native averaged 15.9 points per game while shooting 49.8% from the field and 44.8% from beyond the arc. 

Chaydon will also participate in the All-American JUCO Showcase in Atlanta (July 8-9).

"Chaydon is an explosive 6'4" guard who is transferring to NMJC after spending his freshman year at Gordon State," Mackay said. "Chaydon adds a big scoring punch and leadership ability to the T-Birds 2023-24 roster."