VIDEO: Chuck Benson Interview
JEFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman head men's basketball coach Chuck Benson has announced the commitments of five student-athletes for the 2020-21 season.
The Eagles add four high school players and one transfer with two years of eligibility remaining to the team next year.
The lone transfer is Ivan Hadžić (Šabac, Serbia – Canisius). The Eagles signed two high school players from South Carolina, one from Georgia and one from Tennessee. Camden McElhaney represents the lone Volunteer State commit (Sevierville, Tenn. – Sevier County). Joshuwa Butts comes to Mossy Creek from the Peach State (Fairburn, Ga. – Langston Hughes), while high school teammates Tyler Bowens and Nick Brenegan come to Tennessee from the Palmetto State (Greenville, Tenn. – Wade Hampton).
Ivan Hadžić – 6-9 – 230 - F – Šabac, Serbia – Canisius - Southwest Christian Academy - @hadzini
PRIOR TO CARSON-NEWMAN: As a sophomore, Hadžić appeared in 14 games, averaging 0.6 points and 0.8 rebounds on 4-of-10 shooting. His career high came against Bucknell when he scored five points. He played in one game as a freshman.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played the 2017-18 season at Southwest Christian in Little Rock, Ark., where he helped the Lions to a 31-4 overall record and an appearance in the 2018 NACA National Championship game.
PERSONAL: The son of Milos and Dragana Hadžić, he plans to study exercise science at Carson-Newman. He was a member of the U-18 Serbian National team that earned a third-place finish at the 2016 3x3 European Championship. He also has extensive international basketball experience on his resume, including an invitation to the Serbian National U-18 Team Camp in 2016.
Camden McElhaney – 6-4 – 200 – G/F – Sevierville, Tenn. – Sevier County - @CamdenMcElhaney
HIGH SCHOOL: McElhaney averaged 10.5 points and eight boards per game to go along with 4.0 assists in his senior season at Sevier County High School. He was a 1,000-point career scorer for the Smoky Bears. He helped SCHS to back-to-back district titles, a region title in 2018-19 and an Elite Eight appearance at the state tournament the same year. He earned all-region and all-conference honors on two occasions.
PERSONAL: The son of Michael McElhaney, he plans to study business at Carson-Newman. He finished his high school career with a 4.0 and was a member of the National Honors Society and Beta Club. He also ran cross country as well as track and field.
Joshuwa Butts – 6-7 – 195 – F – Fairburn, Ga. – Langston Hughes - @trillyjoshy
HIGH SCHOOL: Butts averaged nine points and seven rebounds a game while helping Langston Hughes to back-to-back state titles as a freshman and sophomore. He earned all-region honors as both a junior and a senior. In addition to basketball, Butts also competed for Langston Hughes track and field program.
PERSONAL: The son of Priscilla and Eric Butts. He plans to study business administration at Carson-Newman. In high school he was a member of both the A/B and Super Honor Roll.
Nick Brenegan – 6-3 – 195 – G – Greenville, S.C. – Wade Hampton
HIGH SCHOOL: A high school teammate of fellow commit Tyler Bowens at Wade Hampton, the duo helped the generals to a region title in 2020. They also appeared in the state title game that year. Brenegan was a two-time all-conference player and two-time all-county player. He earned all-state honors as a junior and senior. He scored more than 1,000 points in his high school career.
PERSONAL: The son of Amy and John Brenegan, he plans to study biology at Carson-Newman. Younger brother of Carson-Newman guard Luke Brenegan. His father played basketball at the University of South Dakota. Brenegan finished his high school career at Wade Hampton with a 4.818 GPA.
Tyler Bowens – 6-4 – 190 – F – Greenville, S.C. – Wade Hampton - @Tyler_Bowens1
HIGH SCHOOL: A high school teammate of fellow commit Nick Brenegan at Wade Hampton, the duo helped the generals to a region title in 2020. They also appeared in the state title game that year. Bowens also won a pair of region titles at Greenville Tech Charter as a freshman and sophomore. Bowens was named the region's player of the year on his way to earning 5A all-state honors as a senior. He was a North/South All-Star game selection, Hart County All-Tournament Team member and the winner of the county's dunk contest at the PAA showcase. Bowens averaged 17 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists on 57 percent shooting as a senior. He scored 1,000 points in his high school career.
PERSONAL: The son of Ross and Becky Bowens, Tyler plans to study education at Carson-Newman. His father played basketball collegiately at Voorhees College.
