2023–24 East Carolina Pirates men's basketball team

The 2023–24 East Carolina Pirates men's basketball team represented East Carolina University during the 2023–24 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Pirates, led by second year head coach Michael Schwartz, played their home games at Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum as ninth-year members of the American Athletic Conference.

2023–24 East Carolina Pirates men's basketball
ConferenceAmerican Athletic Conference
Record15–18 (7–11 AAC)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Jake Morton
  • Riley Davis
  • Reggie Williams
  • Mark Adams
  • Josh Giardina
Home arenaWilliams Arena
Seasons
2024–25 →
2023–24 American Athletic Conference men's basketball standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
South Florida162 .889258 .758
Florida Atlantic144 .778259 .735
Charlotte135 .7221912 .613
UAB126 .6672312 .657
Memphis117 .6112210 .688
SMU117 .6112013 .606
North Texas108 .5561915 .559
East Carolina711 .3891518 .455
Tulsa711 .3891615 .516
Tulane513 .2781417 .452
Temple513 .2781620 .444
Wichita State513 .2781519 .441
Rice513 .2781121 .344
UTSA513 .2781121 .344
2024 AAC tournament winner

Previous season

The Pirates finished the 2022–23 season 15–16, 6–12 in AAC play to finish in ninth place.[1] They defeated South Florida in the first round of the AAC tournament,[2] before falling to Houston in the quarterfinals.[3]

Offseason

Departures

NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownReason for departure
Saxby Sunderland0G6'3"170FreshmanArlington, VATransferred to Longwood
Wynston Tabbs10G6'2"195RS SeniorSuitland, MDGraduate transferred to Morgan State
Javon Small12G6'2"180SophomoreSouth Bend, INTransferred to Oklahoma State
David Kasanganay15G6'2"180RS SeniorCharlotte, NCWalk-on; graduated
Colin McKeenzie20G6'6"FreshmanCharleston, SCWalk-on; transferred
Jaxon Ellingsworth22F6'9"205FreshmanMorehead City, NCWalk-on; transferred
Ludgy Debaut24C7'0"245RS SeniorLes Abymes, GuadeloupeGraduated
Elijah Jones33F6'8"210FreshmanPleasantville, NJTransferred to UTEP

Incoming transfers

NameNumPos.HeightWeightYearHometownPrevious school
Bobby Pettiford Jr.0G6'1"190JuniorDurham, NCKansas
Cam Hayes13G6'3"180JuniorGreensboro, NCLSU
Grant Smith35SophomoreRichmond, VAWalk-on; Quincy College

2023 recruiting class

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
Cyr Malonga
#65 C
Louisville, KYEvangel Christian School6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)220 lb (100 kg)Sep 12, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 79
Ta'Korrie Faison
SF
Goldsboro, NCGoldsboro High School6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)220 lb (100 kg)Jan 30, 2023 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPNN/A   ESPN grade: 0
Callum Richard
C
Gastonia, NCGaston Day School Inc6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)228 lb (103 kg)Apr 24, 2023 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPNN/A   ESPN grade: 0
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "East Carolina 2023 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  • "2023 East Carolina Pirates Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  • "2023 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  • "2023 East Carolina Pirates Basketball 24/7 Sports Commits". 247sports.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.

2024 recruiting class

US college sports recruiting information for 2024 recruits
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
Jordan Vick
#60 PG
Bailey, NCSouthern Nash High School6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)220 lb (100 kg)Sep 25, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 79
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

Roster

2023–24 East Carolina Pirates men's basketball team
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
G0Bobby Pettiford Jr.6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)196 lb (89 kg)JrKansasDurham, NC
G1Kalib LaCount5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)148 lb (67 kg)SoKing/Drew High SchoolLos Angeles, CA
F2Ezra Ausar6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)247 lb (112 kg)SoLiberty Heights Athletic InstituteAtlanta, GA
G3RJ Felton6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)209 lb (95 kg)JrAiken High SchoolAiken, SC
G5Logan Bourgeois6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)154 lb (70 kg)FrCJF Fleury-Les-AubraisFleury-les-Aubrais, France
F6Brandon Johnson6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)222 lb (101 kg)RS JrBrunswick Community CollegeRaleigh, NC
G7Quentin Diboundje6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)221 lb (100 kg)JrTennesseeMontpellier, France
G8Cam Hayes6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)192 lb (87 kg)JrLSUGreensboro, NC
G10Evan Montanari (W)6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)173 lb (78 kg)FrGaston Day SchoolDenver, NC
F11Valentino Pinedo6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)228 lb (103 kg)SoSunrise Christian AcademyMadrid, Spain
G21Jaden Walker6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)200 lb (91 kg)JrIowa StateLawrenceville, GA
G/F23Ta'Korrie Faison6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)224 lb (102 kg)FrGoldsboro High SchoolGoldsboro, NC
G25Benjamin Bayela6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)200 lb (91 kg)SrSouth Plains CollegeLe Chesnay-Rocquencourt, France
C32Cyr Malonga6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)235 lb (107 kg)FrEvangel Christian SchoolPointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo
F35Grant Smith (W)6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)200 lb (91 kg)SoQuincy CollegeRichmond, VA
C50Callum Richard6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)237 lb (108 kg)FrGaston Day SchoolStanley, NC
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster
Last update: December 10, 2023

Schedule and results

Date
time, TV
Rank#Opponent#ResultRecordHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsSite (attendance)
city, state
Non-conference regular season
November 6, 2023*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+
FerrumW 91–61 1–0
 29  Johnson  9  Johnson  6  LaCount Williams Arena (4,529)
Greenville, NC
November 11, 2023*
4:00 p.m., ESPN+
CampbellW 77–63 2–0
 30  Felton  11  Felton  7  Pettiford Jr. Williams Arena (4,621)
Greenville, NC
November 15, 2023*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+
USC UpstateL 81–83 2–1
 33  Felton  9  Felton  4  Pettiford Jr. Williams Arena (4,585)
Greenville, NC
November 19, 2023*
2:00 p.m., ESPN+
Northeastern
TowneBank Holiday Classic
L 76–82 2–2
 18  Ausar  6  Felton  6  Pettiford Jr. Williams Arena (3,673)
Greenville, NC
November 20, 2023*
6:00 p.m., ESPN+
Georgia Southern
TowneBank Holiday Classic
W 82–64 3–2
 27  Diboundje  10  Johnson  7  LaCount Williams Arena (3,536)
Greenville, NC
November 21, 2023*
6:00 p.m., ESPN+
Kennesaw State
TowneBank Holiday Classic
W 85–84 4–2
 19  Felton  11  Walker  3  Tied Williams Arena (3,311)
Greenville, NC
November 25, 2023*
2:00 p.m., ESPN+
at George MasonL 59–81 4–3
 13  Tied  7  Johnson  3  Pettiford Jr. EagleBank Arena (3,268)
Fairfax, VA
November 30, 2023*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+
UNC WilmingtonW 74–66 5–3
 24  Pettiford Jr.  11  Johnson  2  Tied Williams Arena (5,182)
Greenville, NC
December 4, 2023*
4:00 p.m., ESPN+
Maryland Eastern ShoreW 63–52 6–3
 18  Ausar  10  Tied  4  Pettiford Jr. Williams Arena (3,625)
Greenville, NC
December 9, 2023*
12:00 p.m., ESPNU
South CarolinaL 62–68 6–4
 15  Felton  8  Johnson  3  Walker Williams Arena (5,568)
Greenville, NC
December 14, 2023*
7:00 p.m., SECN
vs. Florida
Florida Tipoff
L 65–70 6–5
 14  Tied  10  Johnson  4  Pettiford Jr. RP Funding Center 
Lakeland, FL
December 20, 2023*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+
Delaware StateW 79–50 7–5
 26  Felton  15  Johnson  4  Tied Williams Arena (3,878)
Greenville, NC
December 29, 2023*
7:00 p.m., ESPN+
East Tennessee StateL 70–86 7–6
 19  Johnson  9  Johnson  2  Tied Williams Arena (4,259)
Greenville, NC
AAC regular season
January 2, 2024
7:00 p.m., ESPN2
at No. 17 Florida AtlanticL 64–79 7–7
(0–1)
 15  Johnson  10  Johnson  2  Tied Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena (3,161)
Boca Raton, FL
January 7, 2024
3:00 p.m., ESPNU
TulsaW 62–57 8–7
(1–1)
 17  Johnson  9  Johnson  6  Pettiford Jr. Williams Arena (4,454)
Greenville, NC
January 10, 2024
7:00 p.m., ESPN+
at TempleW 73–62 9–7
(2–1)
 20  Felton  9  Johnson  6  Pettiford Jr. Liacouras Center (2,003)
Philadelphia, PA
January 13, 2024
4:00 p.m., ESPN+
SMUL 64–75 9–8
(2–2)
 25  Ausar  8  Ausar  1  Tied Williams Arena (5,213)
Greenville, NC
January 17, 2024
7:00 p.m., ESPN+
North TexasL 59–60 9–9
(2–3)
 16  Felton  8  Johnson  6  Pettiford Jr. Williams Arena (4,287)
Greenville, NC
January 20, 2024
3:00 p.m., ESPN+
at UABL 61–69 9–10
(2–4)
 16  Ausar  10  Tied  4  Pettiford Jr. Bartow Arena (3,872)
Birmingham, AL
January 24, 2024
7:30 p.m., ESPN+
at Wichita StateW 54–52 10–10
(3–4)
 12  Johnson  7  Johnson  2  Hayes Charles Koch Arena (5,252)
Wichita, KS
January 28, 2024
5:00 p.m., ESPN2
TempleW 70–64 OT11–10
(4–4)
 24  Felton  11  Felton  2  Tied Williams Arena (4,132)
Greenville, NC
January 31, 2024
7:00 p.m., ESPN+
South FloridaL 60–71 11–11
(4–5)
 14  Hayes  6  Johnson  4  Pettiford Jr. Williams Arena (4,053)
Greenville, NC
February 3, 2024
2:00 p.m., ESPNU
at CharlotteL 52–67 11–12
(4–6)
 20  Felton  5  Tied  3  Hayes Dale F. Halton Arena (8,201)
Charlotte, NC
February 10, 2024
4:00 p.m., ESPNU
at UTSAW 84–73 12–12
(5–6)
 30  Johnson  9  Johnson  13  Walker Convocation Center (1,535)
San Antonio, TX
February 15, 2024
7:00 p.m., ESPN+
Wichita StateW 68–55 13–12
(6–6)
 21  Tied  10  Johnson  5  Hayes Williams Arena (3,940)
Greenville, NC
February 18, 2024
2:00 p.m., ESPN+
TulaneW 81–67 14–12
(7–6)
 21  Felton  9  Johnson  8  Walker Williams Arena (4,725)
Greenville, NC
February 24, 2024
2:00 p.m., ESPNU
at RiceL 52–70 14–13
(7–7)
 15  Felton  7  Johnson  2  Tied Tudor Fieldhouse (3,808)
Houston, TX
February 29, 2024
7:00 p.m., ESPN2
MemphisL 58–82 14–14
(7–8)
 19  Felton  9  Felton  4  Hayes Williams Arena (4,934)
Greenville, NC
March 3, 2024
3:00 p.m., ESPN+
at North TexasL 69–84 14–15
(7–9)
 14  Tied  8  Johnson  2  Tied The Super Pit (4,241)
Denton, TX
March 6, 2024
8:00 p.m., ESPN+
at SMUL 77–80 OT14–16
(7–10)
 28  Felton  11  Johnson  6  Pettiford Jr. Moody Coliseum (5,471)
Dallas, TX
March 9, 2024
4:00 p.m., ESPN+
CharlotteL 72–82 14–17
(7–11)
 28  Felton  7  Walker  7  Walker Williams Arena (4,548)
Greenville, NC
AAC tournament
March 14, 2024
12:30 p.m., ESPNU
(8) vs. (9) Tulsa
Second Round
W 84–79 15–17
 28  Ausar  13  Johnson  8  Hayes Dickies Arena 
Fort Worth, TX
March 15, 2024
1:00 p.m., ESPN2
(8) vs. (1) South Florida
Quarterfinals
L 59–81 15–18
 16  Felton  10  Johnson  3  Ausar Dickies Arena 
Fort Worth, TX
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Eastern Time.

Source[4]

References