Yvens Paul, a 6-foot-7 forward from Florida Southwestern State College, will join the Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team for the 2024-25 season, head coach A.W. Hamilton announced today.
In the past season, Paul averaged 8.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game. The redshirt freshman played in all 31 games, starting 19 times, and shot 70 percent from the field (110-for-158), contributing to the Bucs’ 22-9 record.
“Yvens brings more length and athleticism to our program,” Hamilton said. “I love his motor and ability to guard all five positions.”
Paul scored a season-high 17 points twice – against IMG Academy and No. 1 ranked Northwest Florida State. He also grabbed 11 rebounds against IMG and had 10 or more rebounds in six games, including a season-best 14 against Palm Beach State College. Additionally, Paul recorded 12 points and 13 rebounds at Miami Dade College and blocked six shots in two games – against Northwest Florida and at Indian River State College.
Originally from Naples, Florida, Paul redshirted in 2022-23 at Florida Southwestern. He prepped at Barron Collier High School, where he averaged a double-double as a senior with 10.4 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 5.7 blocks per game, helping his team to a district championship and a 20-10 record.
EKU recently won the 2023-24 Atlantic Sun Conference Regular Season Championship, the program’s first regular season conference title in 45 years. Coach Hamilton was named ASUN Coach of the Year and NABC District III Coach of the Year, making him the first coach in program history to earn conference coach of the year honors twice.
