FHSU Athletics
HAYS, Kan. - Fort Hays State head men's basketball coach Mark Johnson has announced the signing of four student-athletes that will join the Tiger squad in the fall of 2023. Included in this recruiting class is three transfers, one freshman, two guards and two forwards.
"We're excited about the recruiting class we put together for the upcoming season," said Johnson. "The two biggest aspects of the game we looked to address were shooting and athleticism, and we think this group can help us in both those areas right away."
Incoming transfers include R.J. Crawford from Southwest Baptist University and Kobe Greene and Shaun Riley from Northeastern (Colo.) Junior College. All three head Hays with two years of eligibility remaining. Petar Asceric is an incoming freshman originally from Belgrade, Serbia by way of Concord Academy in North Carolina.
R.J. Crawford • Junior • Guard • 6-4 • 220
Houston, Texas • Langham Creek HS • Southwest Baptist University
Crawford spent the last three seasons at Southwest Baptist, appearing in 72 career games with the Bearcats. He ranked second on the team in scoring at 13.7 points per game as a third-year sophomore in 2022-23, while collecting 4.1 rebounds 1.0 assists per game. The Houston, Texas native shot 45.9 percent from the field last season and 38.9 percent from beyond the 3-point arc, while turning in a strong 88.2 percent effort at the free-throw line.
He ranked 17th in the GLVC in scoring, fourth in free-throw percentage and 24th in minutes played in 2022-23. Crawford averaged 12.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game in 2021-22 and put up 11.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 25.9 minutes per game for his career. He recorded a collegiate shooting percentage of 46.4 percent from the floor, 38.3 percent from behind the arc and 79.4 percent from the free-throw line. He scored in double figures 46 times, including four games with 20 or more points, and tallied a career-high of 22 against Illinois-Springfield in the 2023 GLVC Championship (3/2/23). Crawford received the GLVC James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Award in 2021-22.
Kobe Greene • Junior • Guard • 6-2 • 185
Windsor, Colo. • Windsor HS • Northeastern (Colo.) JC
Greene played two seasons for Northeastern JC, appearing in 39 games. He played in all 29 games as a sophomore in 2022-23, leading the team with 71 made 3-point field goals The Windsor, Colo. native shot 44.1 percent from beyond the 3-point arc as a sophomore, averaging 10.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game. The guard erupted for 34 points on nine 3-pointers against Lamar CC (2/18/23), one of 12 double-digit scoring performances for Greene. He was a second team Academic All-American in 2021-22.
Greene was a CHSAA Class 4A honorable mention All-State pick and NCAC all-conference selection as a senior at Windsor HS in 2020-21 after averaging 16.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.9 steals per game. He helped the Wizards to the Class 4A quarterfinals and a 14-2 record during his senior season.
Shaun Riley • Jr. • F • 6-7 • 215
O'Fallon, Ill. • Northeastern (Colo.) JC • Anacoco (La.) HS
Riley spent the 2022-23 season at Northeastern JC after playing at Northwestern State University in Louisiana as a true freshman. He was an All-Region IX pick as a sophomore after leading Plainsmen in scoring and rebounding, averaging 15.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He shot 58.3 percent from the field overall and averaged 1.6 assists per game last season.
A native of O'Fallon, Ill., Riley scored a season-high 32 points on 12-of-19 shooting against Western Wyoming CC (1/13/23). He scored in double figures 22 times, including eight games with 20 or more points, and recorded four double-doubles. The forward grabbed 13 rebounds at North Platte CC (2/28/23).
Riley played in 21 games as a true freshman at Northwestern State, making three starts. He averaged 2.5 points and 2.2 rebounds per game for the Demons, scoring a season-high 10 points at Texas A&M-CC (2/19/22).
He was a first team All-State selection at Anacoco (La.) HS after averaging 17 points per game as a senior. Riley played his first three seasons of high school ball at O'Fallon (Ill.) Township HS, earning two all-conference and all-metro honors.
Petar Asceric • Fr. • F • 6-10 • 195
Belgrade, Serbia • Concord Academy (N.C.)
Asceric played one season at Concord Academy in North Carolina in 2022-23, where he averaged 8.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. He helped the Eagles to the NCISAA Class 3A State title game and a record of 31-7 as a senior. Before heading to the States, the Belgrade, Serbia native spent time with three basketball organizations in Serbia, including KK Mondo Basket, KK Vizur and ultimately KK Dynamic.