Lindenwood Belongs

One on One with Kyle Gerdeman

(St. Louis, MO) – Last season’s ten conference wins and sixteen victories overall sends the loud message that Lindenwood belongs. Now entering its fourth season as a member of Division 1 basketball and the Ohio Valley Conference, the Lions have roster and coaching staff stability and a growing buzz around the St. Charles, Missouri campus.

Head coach Kyle Gerdeman is proud of the three year trajectory of his Lions’ program. In an era when numerous college teams lose most of their players and rebuild every season, Gerdeman boasts of six, significant returners.

OVC ‘Freshman of the Year’ and all-OVC performer Jadis Jones and team leading scorer Anias Futrell lead a group that set program D1 records for wins (16), home victories (11) and earned its first-ever victory in the conference tournament.

Lindenwood belongs and is now an established destination for good players. With the NCAA’s change that allows the Lions to compete in NCAA tournaments, the program has a wider reach.

That reach however, does have a local feel. Five current Lions have strong ties to the region. Futrell, sophomore Clayton Jackson and newcomer Robert Lewis played their high school basketball in St. Louis. Jones and Abilene Christian transfer Dontrez Williams are from southeast Missouri.

Gerdeman says the NCAA change makes a difference for recruits who want to play in ‘the Big Dance’.

Roster Retention

Gerdeman’s ability to retain so many valuable players is the exception compared to the college basketball norm. He says the Lions have proven Lindenwood belongs.

“We do feel more established,” said Gerdeman. “We have proven we can compete and win at this level. Our coaching staff continuity has been a big part of that success.”

Futrell and Jones had plenty ‘portal season’ of suitors. Gerdeman and his coaching staff helped their players weigh their options. The fourth year D1 coach desires his players’ best interests.

“We helped them think through all the possibilities,” said Gerdeman. “Our conversations with Anias and Jadis were very candid. We want what is best for them and wanted to be a part of the process of them staying or leaving.”

Futrell reached double-figures 19 times and scored at least 20 on five occasions. He rebounds in traffic and at 6’5 is an outstanding shot blocker. Jones’ athleticism is elite. He scored at least ten points 24 times. Finishing third in the OVC in offensive rebounds helped him finish eighth in field goal percentage.

Gerdeman says his returning double-digit scorers feel at home at Lindenwood and they know what to expect and how their talents will be utilized.

Two-time OVC ‘Freshman of the Week’ Jackson returns along with valued players that saw their seasons end with injury. Jeremiah Talton missed all of last season and Jaylon McDaniel missed the team’s final fifteen games. They are important ingredients to this year’s hoped for success.

Talton started 25 games two seasons ago and proved to be a scoring, rebounding and three-point threat. McDaniel has started 40 Lindenwood contests over the past two seasons and can be a physical inside force.

Jalen Bouknight appeared in sixteen games.

Lindenwood Belongs – High Level Newcomers

Miami of Ohio transfer Mekhi Cooper is considered by most experts as Lindenwood’s top incoming transfer. He started 63 games over the past two MAC seasons and is a proven distributor. Gerdeman says he can step right in and play. While not the scorer that now, professional Markeith Browning III is, he compares Cooper to his former point guard.

“He can step right in to Markeith Browning’s role, with no problem,” said Gerdeman. “His assist to turnover rate is outstanding he has played in some high-level games and atmospheres.”

Cooper can shoot the three (39%) and defends his position (42 steals).

Dontrez Williams is a member of last year’s Western Athletic Conference all-freshman team. Coming out of high school, the Sikeston, Missouri native was ranked as the state’s best player (2024). Jadis Jones was ranked second and Jackson tenth. He is a defensive menace collecting 39 steals during 32 Wildcat games.

Robert Lewis ‘comes home’ to play with fellow Cardinal Ritter standout Jackson. The 6’9 junior appeared in 59 games, making 27 starts for Arkansas Pine-Bluff. He played just six games (injuries) last season but increased his scoring total each of his three seasons.

While Lindenwood isn’t loaded with size at the center position, Gerdeman says this year’s Lions’ team will be bigger and more athletic.

“We have more size, speed and athleticism,” says Gerdeman. “I think we have more bounce and more side-to-side quickness.”

Growing the Program

Gerdeman says the stability of his staff of Associate Head Coach Kyle Campbell, Anthony Beane, Justin Walker and Jestin Anderson is huge. Lindenwood has been transitioning into more of a ‘football model’ coaching staff, with Beane handling most of the defensive strategies.

Gerdeman says all the coaches are involved in each scouting report.

“I think it keeps everyone involved,” he admitted. “When I was an assistant I was worn out by doing the entire ‘scout’ for one game and almost not engaged for the game I didn’t have the scout. This way, we’re all involved in our areas and with our player groupings for every game.”

Gerdeman says Beane’s enthusiasm for defense is contagious amongst the Lions.

“His energy is amazing,” gushed the head coach. “He has great energy and passion during every drill during summer work outs all the way til the end of the season. Our players pick up on that and are motivated to defend.”

During this ‘portal pandemic’ era of college basketball, Gerdeman is glad he’s at Lindenwood. He sings the praises of the LU administration and Director of Athletics, Jason Coomer.

“He gets it and is super supportive,” said Gerdeman. “Jason supports all the Lindenwood programs with the same passion and energy. He wants to know how we are doing and how he can help us succeed.”

LU has been aggressively working the revenue-sharing, NIL world. One D1 coach told me Cooper had plenty of other offers. Regionally related teams Missouri State, SIUE and Eastern Illinois were rumored to be in on the Illinois native.

Lindenwood’s home game attendance grew all season averaging almost 1,500 fans per game during the season’s final month.

Lindenwood belongs and the OVC is improving. This could be the league’s finest season since the Belmont/Murray State exodus.

Do Good