Marshall University’s men’s basketball forward James Kelly, a transfer player, has spent a year waiting for an opportunity to suit up for the Herd.

A native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Kelly spent a year at the University of Miami in the ACC, where he averaged nearly 10 points a game.

When he transferred to Marshall, NCAA transfer rules required him to sit out a year. Now, as a senior, he is one of several new faces trying to blend in with the team.

“I’m trying to get the ball rolling early,” Kelly said. “Since we have so many new people, I’m just trying to be on the same page.”

Kelly is also saying the right things and showing the right attitude, such as his praise for head coach Dan D’Antoni and acceptance of his coaching style.

“The stuff D’Antoni’s teaching us is to get us to the next level and to win games,” Kelly said.

However, Kelly is not the only newcomer for the Herd.

D’Antoni said Huntington-native Jacob Kilgore is another player who can help bring success to the team.

During media day in October, D’Antoni said Kilgore has emerged as one of the best shooters on the team.

Kilgore was the West Virginia Player of the Year in his senior season at Spring Valley High School. He averaged 23.5 points and 10 rebounds per game, while shooting 58 percent from the floor and 41 percent from 3-point range.

Kilgore said his shooting will fit in well with D’Antoni’s offensive scheme as he takes on a position change from his high school days.

“I love how I fit in D’Antoni’s system,” Kilgore said. “I am a guard now and not a center, so I can spread the floor and shoot the ball as well.”

Stevie Browning, another West Virginia-native, will make his debut season for the Herd after transferring from Fairmont State University, a Division-II school.

The Herd has three returning starters this year and nine newcomers, and D’Antoni said the group is ready for some outside competition.

“These young men have adapted quickly and are ready to play against someone other than themselves,” D’Antoni said.

The Herd will get that first action with outside competition Thursday when it travels to Knoxville, Tennessee to take on the University of Tennessee in its regular season opener.

Marquez Davila can be contacted at [email protected].