When Alvin Brooks took over the Lamar University men’s basketball team last month, there were some glaring roster holes to fill.
The Cardinals lacked a true top scoring option, so Brooks signed former Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year and Silsbee graduate Jordyn Adams away from Austin Peay.
Lamar’s starting point guard, Kasen Harrison, was thought to be transferring to Louisiana Tech. Brooks soon got him back to Beaumont.
Now, Brooks has addressed Lamar’s last position hole with another local player. Valentin Catt, a 6-foot-10 center who played for Orangefield High School in 2019, has signed to join the Cardinals next season.
Catt will provide some much-needed rim protection for Lamar after the departure of former center David Muoka, who was the Southland Defensive Player of the Year and transferred to UNLV this offseason. Catt is well aware of his new role and he’s ready to embrace it.
“I know the role I will have and how I can help the team,” Catt said of joining Lamar. “Block shots, rebound and protect the paint. They have a new coach and I think it will be a good fit.”
Brooks said players like Catt are crucial for winning teams.
“Every championship team that I’ve ever been a part of has had great role players,” Brooks said. “In the post, you have to have a guy at the rim who can defend, block shots, rebound and play with some athleticism and energy. At 6-10, 230, that is what Valentin brings us.”
Catt comes to Lamar after playing last season at South Plains Junior College. He’ll have four years of eligibility remaining because of the NCAA’s new coronavirus transfer rules.
At Orangefield in 2019, Catt led the Bobcats on a rare postseason run into the Class 4A regional round. During those three playoff contests, he averaged 15 points, 13.3 rebounds and 14 blocks per game.
Born in Yaounde, Cameroon, Catt did not play his senior year at Orangefield because of the UIL’s age restrictions. Instead, he transferred to Potter’s House Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Florida, to finish out his high school career.
Catt caught Brooks’ attention soon after accepting the Lamar job. Although the Cardinals’ new coach loves Catt’s ability in the paint, he’s also intrigued by Catt’s athleticism and ability to run the floor.
“In this day and age offensively, folks like to run a lot of pick-and-roll, and Valentin can defend that, defend the post and play fast the way we want to,” Brooks said. “Valentin is a tremendous athlete and brings great energy to court.”
Last week, Lamar also signed Xavier Ball, a 6-foot-7 transfer forward from John A. Logan College.
Catt said he spoke to Harrison about coming to Lamar, and thinks the two will play well together. He plans to arrive in Beaumont early next week.
“I’ve learned a lot in the last year and I’m just really excited to get started at Lamar,” he said.
mfaye@beaumontenterprise.com
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