Patriot men cagers gain services of Shepherd transfer

Francis Marion University men’s basketball coach Gary Edwards has announced the addition of 6-6 junior forward Liki Turner, who is transferring from Shepherd College to FMU and will play for the Patriots this season.

Turner is a native of Richmond, Va., and was a two-sport (football and basketball) letterman at Benedictine High School. He averaged 10 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game as a senior, while teaming with University of North Carolina signee Ed Davis as Benedictine posted a 29-3 record and won the Virginia Independent Schools Division I championship.

At Shepherd, he earned WVIAC Freshman of the Year honors after averaging 14.6 ppg and 8.9 rpg during the 2007-08 campaign. He recorded 13 doubles-doubles.

This past year, he compiled averages of 14.3 ppg and 8.1 rpg while shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 72.0 percent at the foul line. In his two seasons with the Rams, he tallied 823 points and 486 rebounds.

“Liki is a proven performer on the Division II level,” said Edwards. “He brings experience and an intensity to our front line. I expect him to contend for All-Conference honors in the Peach Belt just as he did in the WVIAC."

At Francis Marion, Turner will join previously announced newcomers 6-2 freshmen guard Evrik Gary of Camden and 5-11 junior guard Bryant Julious of Hemingway.

Francis Marion finished the 2008-09 season with a 16-12 record.