UNCW Men’s Basketball adds Georgia Southern transfer

WILMINGTON, North Carolina (UNCWSports.com) – Versatile forward Shawn O’Connell from Georgia Southern will complete his final year of eligibility at UNCW, Head Coach C.B. McGrath announced on Tuesday.

O’Connell, a 6-8, 185-pounder from Roswell, Ga., played three seasons with the Eagles and former Seahawk standout Mark Byington and will be eligible to play immediately at UNCW per NCAA rules.

“We’re very excited about Shawn joining our program,” said McGrath. “He’s played three years of college basketball, so he has a lot of experience. I was impressed with his athleticism and skill level.

“There’s a need for him here and he’s going to work hard. He adds to our depth in the frontcourt. We’re just excited that he chose to spend his final year of college basketball as a Seahawk.”

The Milton (Ga.) High School graduate played in 32 games this past season as a junior for the Eagles, averaging 3.3 points and 3.0 rebounds. He shot a team-high 71.4 percent from the field and 61.0 percent overall during his three seasons in Statesboro.

O’Connell’s best game for the Eagles last season came on Nov. 16, 2017, when he contributed a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds off the bench in a 120-52 home rout of Bluefield State.

In three years at GSU, O’Connell collected 310 points, 280 rebounds, 41 blocks and 33 steals in 92 appearances, with 14 starts. O’Connell redshirted his freshman year in 2014-15.

In high school, O’Connell was a two-year letterman for Coach Matt Kramer at Milton High School. He earned All-Region honors in 2013 and 2014, averaging 13.0 points and 7.0 rebounds as a senior for the Eagles.

By finishing his career in North Carolina, O’Connell joins his brother, Alex, who plays basketball for Duke. O’Connell comes from a long line of basketball lineage; his uncle, Mike, played at Notre Dame and another uncle, Tim, played at Xavier