Two NSU newcomers to add bulk on men's basketball team

NORFOLK

Norfolk State has added two small forwards - Reggie Revels from Cincinnati and Jordan Payton from San Diego - to its men's basketball roster in hopes of getting bigger and more physical on the perimeter.

Revels, a 6-foot-4, 210-pounder, and Payton, a 6-5, 180-pounder, should help the Spartans defensively.

"I think they can make us bigger on the perimeter when we need to upgrade there," coach Anthony Evans said. "We went a lot of the time last year with smaller guards. I think both of these guys can step in and play immediately."

Returning starters Michael Deloach and Aleek Pauline are both about 6-foot and played much of last season in tandem in the backcourt. Revels and Payton should also help out at guard.

Revels, a nephew of former NBA standout Allan Houston, averaged 14 points and six rebounds last season for Edison Prep in Trenton, N.J.

Payton averaged 22 points a game two seasons ago at Hebron Academy in Hebron, Maine, then spent last season at the Heat Basketball Academy in Martinsville. There, he averaged 10 points a game for a team that had five other Division I signees.

The two will join four other newcomers for the upcoming season at NSU - guard Isaac Nixon and three transfers: swingman Rob Hampton, forward Marcos Tamares and center Christian Morris.

Rich Radford, (757) 446-2463, rich.radford@pilotonline.com