Temple University Athletics
MBB Outlook: Aaron McKie Era Begins Tuesday
10.31.19 | Men's Basketball
It has been 46 years since a Temple University alum coached the Owls men's basketball program in a regular-season game, but that will change on Nov. 5 when Aaron McKie takes his 2019-20 squad on the Liacouras Center floor to play Drexel in the season opener.
When Hall of Fame coach Harry Litwack retired following the 1972-73 season, McKie, who grew up in the North Philadelphia neighborhood that Temple calls home, had just turned one. Now, he is the man in charge of the fifth-winningest program at the NCAA Division I level.
"It is truly an honor," said McKie, who has lived, played, and coached basketball almost his entire life in Philadelphia. "As a kid growing up, I never thought I was going to be a coach. I always thought I was going to be a player. If you look at my lifespan and my connection to this program, I went from being a kid watching Big 5 games, watching Temple Basketball, and really enjoying watching Coach (John) Chaney and the local guys he coached. From there I went from watching to playing and having an impact on this program. It was an honor to play for Temple and now I get the honor of being the head coach. It is a lot of responsibility because I am following in the great footsteps of Coach Litwack, Coach Chaney, and Coach (Fran) Dunphy, who I had the pleasure to work with and who gave me my first opportunity to coach in college. I am extremely grateful, and I want to do a great job for those guys."
McKie, who served the last five years on Dunphy's staff, is quite familiar with the program. Arguably one of the best players in Temple history, he had an incredible three-year playing career for the Owls (1991-92 through 1993-94) and is tied for sixth on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,650 points. He was then selected in the first round of the 1994 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers and played 13 seasons, including eight with the Philadelphia 76ers. As a member of the Sixers in 2000-01, McKie enjoyed his best season, taking home Sixth Man of the Year honors while helping his hometown team reach the NBA Finals.
Last year, McKie was elevated to Associate Head Coach of the Owls, smoothing the way for the transition of power from Dunphy, who had announced he was stepping down following the 2018-19 campaign. Working in tandem, the two helped lead the Cherry and White to a 23-10 record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Owls return three starters and seven lettermen from last year's squad, including second-team All-AAC honoree Quinton Rose and the conference's Most Improved Player Nate Pierre-Louis. The two, along with returning starter J.P. Moorman II will serve as the team captains for McKie's first season at the helm.
"We are going to have three captains this year, Quinton Rose, Nate Pierre-Louis, and J.P. Moorman II. The selection process was easy as these guys earned it throughout the summer," said McKie. "They give us three different ways of leadership so collectively they will help me lead this team."
A 6-8 senior guard, Rose, who scored in double figures in 30 games, topping 20 points eight times, has amassed 1,343 points in just three seasons to rank 33rd all-time in program history. He ranked ninth in the AAC with 16.5 points per game and third with 2.2 steals per game. He also became the first Temple player to record 70 or more steals in a season (71) since Mardy Collins (89, 2005-06).
"Quinton Rose is our senior leader," added McKie. "He is mature and has come a long way. I feel like this is the next step in his progression by putting more responsibility in his lap to help me lead the team. I am going to rely on him to not only lead us on the floor, but also in the locker room."
One of only three players to start all 33 games last season, Pierre-Louis ranked fifth in the AAC with 1.6 steals per game, 16th with 13.3 points per game and 19th with 5.7 rebounds per game.
"Nate's work rate is incredible," elaborated McKie on his 6-4 junior guard. "I have been around sports all my life and I have not really seen many guys work as hard as him. He is the hardest working guy on our team and he leads by example. He is also a great young man and very coachable."
A 6-7 forward, Moorman started the last nine games for Temple, recording two of his five double-figure scoring games in the stretch. He posted a season-high 20 points against Cincinnati while his 41 percent shooting from three-point range (34-83) led the team.
"J.P. is wonderful. He did a really good job in representing us off the floor throughout the summer," said McKie on his final captain. "He is a glue guy, just bringing the guys together. He represents us well on and off the court."
Seniors Damion Moore and Alani Moore II are back for one final season and both should vie for starting roles in '19-20. A reserve forward his previous three years, the 6-11, 225-pound Damion Moore has compiled 3.3 scoring and 2.4 rebounding averages for his career. His numbers this year should increase well above his 10.2 minute average with additional playing time.
A starter his freshman season, Alani Moore has been a key reserve for the Owls the past two seasons. The 5-10 guard is more than capable of taking over as the team's lead guard as he sports a career 1.73 assist-to-turnover ratio. He is also one of the team's top three-point shooters with a 35.4 shooting percentage from behind the arc.
Two junior forwards, 6-11 Justyn Hamilton and 6-7 De'Vondre Perry, will also compete for starting roles as both have been among the team's first five last season. Hamilton, who played sparingly his freshman year, saw his playing time increase five times in '18-19, averaging 12.7 minutes per game while starting five times. Perry, who saw his minutes nearly double from his rookie campaign, made 20 starts as a sophomore and led the team in blocked shots (12). Both averaged 4.1 points per outing.
The Owls also return two redshirts, freshman Arashma Parks and junior Monty Scott. Parks, a 6-9, 235-pound power forward, sat out last year due to shoulder surgery but is fully healed and expected to vie for playing time. Scott, a 6-5 combo guard, missed last season due to NCAA transfer rules. In 2017-18, he led Kennesaw State and ranked third in the ASUN with a 17.3 scoring average.
Two talented freshmen, 6-3 guard Josh Pierre-Louis and 6-4 guard Damian Dunn, are expected to see quality time this season. Pierre-Louis will join his brother Nate as the only set of siblings to play together in Temple men's basketball history.
As a senior at Roselle Catholic (N.J), the second team all-State selection averaged 14.2 points and 3.4 assists per game in leading his team to a #17 national ranking. An honorable mention all-State selection last year,
Dunn averaged 12.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game in leading Meadowcreek (Ga.) High to the state title game.
Three second-year walk-ons, seniors Anto Keshgegian and Tim Waddington and sophomore Jasen West, round out the 2019-20 roster. Two transfers, sophomores Jake Forrester (Indiana) and Tai Strickland (Wisconsin), are waiting in the wings while sitting out the season.
Temple opens its season on Tuesday, Nov. 5 vs. Drexel (8 pm/ESPN3/1210 AM WPHT).
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When Hall of Fame coach Harry Litwack retired following the 1972-73 season, McKie, who grew up in the North Philadelphia neighborhood that Temple calls home, had just turned one. Now, he is the man in charge of the fifth-winningest program at the NCAA Division I level.
"It is truly an honor," said McKie, who has lived, played, and coached basketball almost his entire life in Philadelphia. "As a kid growing up, I never thought I was going to be a coach. I always thought I was going to be a player. If you look at my lifespan and my connection to this program, I went from being a kid watching Big 5 games, watching Temple Basketball, and really enjoying watching Coach (John) Chaney and the local guys he coached. From there I went from watching to playing and having an impact on this program. It was an honor to play for Temple and now I get the honor of being the head coach. It is a lot of responsibility because I am following in the great footsteps of Coach Litwack, Coach Chaney, and Coach (Fran) Dunphy, who I had the pleasure to work with and who gave me my first opportunity to coach in college. I am extremely grateful, and I want to do a great job for those guys."
McKie, who served the last five years on Dunphy's staff, is quite familiar with the program. Arguably one of the best players in Temple history, he had an incredible three-year playing career for the Owls (1991-92 through 1993-94) and is tied for sixth on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,650 points. He was then selected in the first round of the 1994 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers and played 13 seasons, including eight with the Philadelphia 76ers. As a member of the Sixers in 2000-01, McKie enjoyed his best season, taking home Sixth Man of the Year honors while helping his hometown team reach the NBA Finals.
Last year, McKie was elevated to Associate Head Coach of the Owls, smoothing the way for the transition of power from Dunphy, who had announced he was stepping down following the 2018-19 campaign. Working in tandem, the two helped lead the Cherry and White to a 23-10 record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Owls return three starters and seven lettermen from last year's squad, including second-team All-AAC honoree Quinton Rose and the conference's Most Improved Player Nate Pierre-Louis. The two, along with returning starter J.P. Moorman II will serve as the team captains for McKie's first season at the helm.
"We are going to have three captains this year, Quinton Rose, Nate Pierre-Louis, and J.P. Moorman II. The selection process was easy as these guys earned it throughout the summer," said McKie. "They give us three different ways of leadership so collectively they will help me lead this team."
A 6-8 senior guard, Rose, who scored in double figures in 30 games, topping 20 points eight times, has amassed 1,343 points in just three seasons to rank 33rd all-time in program history. He ranked ninth in the AAC with 16.5 points per game and third with 2.2 steals per game. He also became the first Temple player to record 70 or more steals in a season (71) since Mardy Collins (89, 2005-06).
"Quinton Rose is our senior leader," added McKie. "He is mature and has come a long way. I feel like this is the next step in his progression by putting more responsibility in his lap to help me lead the team. I am going to rely on him to not only lead us on the floor, but also in the locker room."
One of only three players to start all 33 games last season, Pierre-Louis ranked fifth in the AAC with 1.6 steals per game, 16th with 13.3 points per game and 19th with 5.7 rebounds per game.
"Nate's work rate is incredible," elaborated McKie on his 6-4 junior guard. "I have been around sports all my life and I have not really seen many guys work as hard as him. He is the hardest working guy on our team and he leads by example. He is also a great young man and very coachable."
A 6-7 forward, Moorman started the last nine games for Temple, recording two of his five double-figure scoring games in the stretch. He posted a season-high 20 points against Cincinnati while his 41 percent shooting from three-point range (34-83) led the team.
"J.P. is wonderful. He did a really good job in representing us off the floor throughout the summer," said McKie on his final captain. "He is a glue guy, just bringing the guys together. He represents us well on and off the court."
Seniors Damion Moore and Alani Moore II are back for one final season and both should vie for starting roles in '19-20. A reserve forward his previous three years, the 6-11, 225-pound Damion Moore has compiled 3.3 scoring and 2.4 rebounding averages for his career. His numbers this year should increase well above his 10.2 minute average with additional playing time.
A starter his freshman season, Alani Moore has been a key reserve for the Owls the past two seasons. The 5-10 guard is more than capable of taking over as the team's lead guard as he sports a career 1.73 assist-to-turnover ratio. He is also one of the team's top three-point shooters with a 35.4 shooting percentage from behind the arc.
Two junior forwards, 6-11 Justyn Hamilton and 6-7 De'Vondre Perry, will also compete for starting roles as both have been among the team's first five last season. Hamilton, who played sparingly his freshman year, saw his playing time increase five times in '18-19, averaging 12.7 minutes per game while starting five times. Perry, who saw his minutes nearly double from his rookie campaign, made 20 starts as a sophomore and led the team in blocked shots (12). Both averaged 4.1 points per outing.
The Owls also return two redshirts, freshman Arashma Parks and junior Monty Scott. Parks, a 6-9, 235-pound power forward, sat out last year due to shoulder surgery but is fully healed and expected to vie for playing time. Scott, a 6-5 combo guard, missed last season due to NCAA transfer rules. In 2017-18, he led Kennesaw State and ranked third in the ASUN with a 17.3 scoring average.
Two talented freshmen, 6-3 guard Josh Pierre-Louis and 6-4 guard Damian Dunn, are expected to see quality time this season. Pierre-Louis will join his brother Nate as the only set of siblings to play together in Temple men's basketball history.
As a senior at Roselle Catholic (N.J), the second team all-State selection averaged 14.2 points and 3.4 assists per game in leading his team to a #17 national ranking. An honorable mention all-State selection last year,
Dunn averaged 12.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game in leading Meadowcreek (Ga.) High to the state title game.
Three second-year walk-ons, seniors Anto Keshgegian and Tim Waddington and sophomore Jasen West, round out the 2019-20 roster. Two transfers, sophomores Jake Forrester (Indiana) and Tai Strickland (Wisconsin), are waiting in the wings while sitting out the season.
Temple opens its season on Tuesday, Nov. 5 vs. Drexel (8 pm/ESPN3/1210 AM WPHT).
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