Eastern Michigan Athletics
Men's Basketball Adds McGriff, Serven to 2023-24 Roster
5/23/2023 4:19:00 PM | Men's Basketball
McGriff (Binghamton) and Serven (Illinois) both transferring in to the Eastern program
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team has added John McGriff (Glenn Dale, Md.-Bishop McNamara-St. John's-Binghamton) and Connor Serven (Prairie City, Ill.-St. Rita-Illinois) to the program as both have transferred ahead of the 2023-24 season, Head Coach Stan Heath announced today, May 23. The duo will each have two years of eligibility heading into the season.
"I am excited to have both John and Connor join our program," Heath said of the newest Eagles. "I feel they both will fit in very nicely here. They are both strong character guys with great work ethics and all the things that build a better culture for a program."
McGriff, who hails from Glenn Dale, Md., comes to Ypsilanti with a wealth of collegiate experience as the 6-foot guard recently played two years at Binghamton University after spending two seasons at St. John's University.
"John brings experience that we need, especially from the point guard position," Heath stated. "Starting off at St. John's and then going to Binghamton, he still has two years to play. He is a left-handed guard that really can pass the ball and handles it extremely well. He has a lot of traits that will be very beneficial for our basketball team, including a high IQ on the court and good toughness. After having a bigger role two years ago when he was averaging about 11 points per game, before last year, he had some injuries last year, some of the numbers didn't line up to his abilities. Regardless, I really expect him to be a strong contributor to our team and help us in a lot of ways that can translate to winning."
In his two seasons with the Bearcats, McGriff started in 31 of the 48 games he played and finished with averages of 8.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 0.6 steals per contest. In his first year, he averaged 11.0 points and 2.6 assists, both of which ranked second on the team, while scoring in double figures 16 times, including the final six of the campaign. Last season, an injury limited his time as he averaged 6.2 points and 1.7 assists per game. Prior to his time with BU, he appeared in 18 games off the bench for the Red Storm during the 2020-21 season.
Serven, a 6-foot-9 forward, joins the Green and White after spending the previous three seasons with the University of Illinois program.
"Connor is unique in that he was a recruited Division I athlete out of high school, but chose to attend Illinois for academic reasons," Heath said. "As he has been a part of the Illinois team and in talking to their coaches, we are bringing in a guy that would see minutes on a Big Ten team. He is very versatile and can play both forward positions, shoots the ball well, is a very good defender, has a good feel for playing and passing, and doing fundamental things well. He is one of those 'glue guys' that every team needs to help you win and we are happy to have him here."
A native of Prairie City, Ill., Serven saw action in 18 games during his time with the Illini and was a member of three teams that earned berths into the NCAA Tournament. In limited action, Serven scored three points and collected seven rebounds for an Illinois team that captured the 2021 Big Ten Tournament title before sharing the 2021-22 Big Ten Conference regular season title. Additionally, he earned academic honors, including being named to the 2021-22 Academic All-Big Ten team.
McGriff and Serven are the third and fourth additions to the Eastern roster this summer as the duo join Arne Osojnik (Ljubljana, Slovenia-Dream City Christian (Ariz.)), a 6-foot-6 freshman guard, and Cyril Martynov (Barrie, Ontario-Lawrenceville (N.J.)-Georgia Tech), a 7-foot sophomore center who played the 2022-23 season with Georgia Tech.
Season Tickets Are On Sale
Season tickets for the upcoming 2023-24 Eastern Michigan University basketball campaign are now on sale! With prices starting at less than $10 per game, the Eagles are ready to take flight inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. Thanks to your support, average attendance more than doubled from the previous year and we want to see all of you back when we tip-off again in November!
When you return to the GameAbove Center, you will see and feel noticeable improvements to the gameday experience beginning with installation of Wi-Fi and upgraded 5G service throughout the arena. In addition, the video board upgrades will be completed to make the in-game atmosphere even better for fans in attendance. And this year, come to games showing your Eastern pride as all fans will receive a free clear tote bag with their purchase of season tickets.
To purchase yours now, visit EMUEagles.com/Tickets or contact the EMU Ticket Office at 734.487.3669.
Follow Us
For the most up-to-date information on the Eagles, visit EMUEagles.com. Fans can also follow the team on social media, including Twitter (@EMU_MBB) and Instagram (@EMUMBB).
EMU Basketball Signee Biographies
John McGriff
G • 6-0 • RS-Jr.
Glenn Dale, Md. • Bishop McNamara • Binghamton
EMU: 2023-22: Incoming transfer with two years of eligibility.
BINGHAMTON: Member of the Bearcats program for two seasons (2021-22 & 2022-23) where he played for Head Coach Levell Sanders… Appeared in 48 games for the Bearcats and earned a starting position in 31 of the contests… Averaged 8.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 0.6 steals per contest for BU… In his first season, averaged 11.0 points and 2.6 assists (second-best on the team in both categories) while hitting double-digit point totals 16 times, including the final six games of the season… Tallied 110 total assists during his time with the Bearcats, dishing 66 and 44, respectively, in those seasons.
ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY: Member of the Red Storm program for two seasons (2019-20 & 2020-21) under Head Coach Mike Anderson… Redshirted in the 2019-20 season before making 18 appearances off the bench in 2020-21… Made his collegiate debut at home against La Salle, draining one three-point basket in nine minutes… Recorded 12 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and three steals for SJU.
HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Bishop McNamara High School after playing his junior season at national powerhouse Huntington Prep in West Virginia… A three-star recruit according to both ESPN and 247Sports… The No. 33 point guard recruit in the nation and No. 2 recruit in the state of Maryland for the class of 2019 according to 247Sports... Played his senior year at Bishop McNamara High School, where he owns the school's career assists record… Led the Mustangs to a 21-11 record and a spot in the quarterfinals of the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championships… Named All-WCAC Honorable Mention… Averaged 12 points and five assists per contest… Averaged 7.0 points, 5.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game... A four-year varsity starter in high school... Played for Team Thrill on the AAU circuit and also spent time with Team Melo.
PERSONAL: Full Name: Johnathon McGriff… Son of Lloyd and Monica McGriff… Major: Human Development.
Connor Serven
F • 6-8 • RS-Jr.
Prairie City, Ill. • St. Rita • Illinois
EMU: 2023-22: Incoming transfer with two years of eligibility.
ILLINOIS: Played three seasons for the Fighting Illini under Head Coach Brad Underwood… Appeared in 18 games during his time in Champaign, scoring three points and collecting seven rebounds… Member of three NCAA Tournament teams, including two squads that advanced to the NCAA Second Round in both 2022 and 2023… Illinois won the 2021-22 Big Ten Conference Regular Season Championship (tied) and also won the 2021 Big Ten Tournament title as the No. 3 seed… Honored by the conference as an Academic All-Big Ten selection following the 2021-22 campaign.
HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from St. Rita High School and played under Head Coach Roshawn Russel… Captained the team twice… Averaged 8.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists his senior season to help his squad to a 21-8 record… Earned Chicago Catholic League honorable mention all-conference accolades… Helped his teams to four titles, including a pair of Chicago Catholic League titles (junior and senior years) and two Prairie Land Conference crowns with Bushnell-Prairie HS (freshman and sophomore)… Also played five years for the AAU team Illinois Irish under Head Coach Gavin Sullivan.
PERSONAL: Full Name: Connor Vincent Serven… Son of Larry and Kelly Serven… Has two siblings, including brother Nate and sister Savannah… Cousin Justin Strnad is a linebacker with the Denver Broncos (NFL)… His father and brother both played collegiate basketball at the University of St. Francis (Ill.) with his father coaching basketball at Bushnell-Prairie City High School… Major: Business.
"I am excited to have both John and Connor join our program," Heath said of the newest Eagles. "I feel they both will fit in very nicely here. They are both strong character guys with great work ethics and all the things that build a better culture for a program."
McGriff, who hails from Glenn Dale, Md., comes to Ypsilanti with a wealth of collegiate experience as the 6-foot guard recently played two years at Binghamton University after spending two seasons at St. John's University.
"John brings experience that we need, especially from the point guard position," Heath stated. "Starting off at St. John's and then going to Binghamton, he still has two years to play. He is a left-handed guard that really can pass the ball and handles it extremely well. He has a lot of traits that will be very beneficial for our basketball team, including a high IQ on the court and good toughness. After having a bigger role two years ago when he was averaging about 11 points per game, before last year, he had some injuries last year, some of the numbers didn't line up to his abilities. Regardless, I really expect him to be a strong contributor to our team and help us in a lot of ways that can translate to winning."
In his two seasons with the Bearcats, McGriff started in 31 of the 48 games he played and finished with averages of 8.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 0.6 steals per contest. In his first year, he averaged 11.0 points and 2.6 assists, both of which ranked second on the team, while scoring in double figures 16 times, including the final six of the campaign. Last season, an injury limited his time as he averaged 6.2 points and 1.7 assists per game. Prior to his time with BU, he appeared in 18 games off the bench for the Red Storm during the 2020-21 season.
Serven, a 6-foot-9 forward, joins the Green and White after spending the previous three seasons with the University of Illinois program.
"Connor is unique in that he was a recruited Division I athlete out of high school, but chose to attend Illinois for academic reasons," Heath said. "As he has been a part of the Illinois team and in talking to their coaches, we are bringing in a guy that would see minutes on a Big Ten team. He is very versatile and can play both forward positions, shoots the ball well, is a very good defender, has a good feel for playing and passing, and doing fundamental things well. He is one of those 'glue guys' that every team needs to help you win and we are happy to have him here."
A native of Prairie City, Ill., Serven saw action in 18 games during his time with the Illini and was a member of three teams that earned berths into the NCAA Tournament. In limited action, Serven scored three points and collected seven rebounds for an Illinois team that captured the 2021 Big Ten Tournament title before sharing the 2021-22 Big Ten Conference regular season title. Additionally, he earned academic honors, including being named to the 2021-22 Academic All-Big Ten team.
McGriff and Serven are the third and fourth additions to the Eastern roster this summer as the duo join Arne Osojnik (Ljubljana, Slovenia-Dream City Christian (Ariz.)), a 6-foot-6 freshman guard, and Cyril Martynov (Barrie, Ontario-Lawrenceville (N.J.)-Georgia Tech), a 7-foot sophomore center who played the 2022-23 season with Georgia Tech.
Season Tickets Are On Sale
Season tickets for the upcoming 2023-24 Eastern Michigan University basketball campaign are now on sale! With prices starting at less than $10 per game, the Eagles are ready to take flight inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. Thanks to your support, average attendance more than doubled from the previous year and we want to see all of you back when we tip-off again in November!
When you return to the GameAbove Center, you will see and feel noticeable improvements to the gameday experience beginning with installation of Wi-Fi and upgraded 5G service throughout the arena. In addition, the video board upgrades will be completed to make the in-game atmosphere even better for fans in attendance. And this year, come to games showing your Eastern pride as all fans will receive a free clear tote bag with their purchase of season tickets.
To purchase yours now, visit EMUEagles.com/Tickets or contact the EMU Ticket Office at 734.487.3669.
Follow Us
For the most up-to-date information on the Eagles, visit EMUEagles.com. Fans can also follow the team on social media, including Twitter (@EMU_MBB) and Instagram (@EMUMBB).
EMU Basketball Signee Biographies
John McGriff
G • 6-0 • RS-Jr.
Glenn Dale, Md. • Bishop McNamara • Binghamton
EMU: 2023-22: Incoming transfer with two years of eligibility.
BINGHAMTON: Member of the Bearcats program for two seasons (2021-22 & 2022-23) where he played for Head Coach Levell Sanders… Appeared in 48 games for the Bearcats and earned a starting position in 31 of the contests… Averaged 8.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 0.6 steals per contest for BU… In his first season, averaged 11.0 points and 2.6 assists (second-best on the team in both categories) while hitting double-digit point totals 16 times, including the final six games of the season… Tallied 110 total assists during his time with the Bearcats, dishing 66 and 44, respectively, in those seasons.
ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY: Member of the Red Storm program for two seasons (2019-20 & 2020-21) under Head Coach Mike Anderson… Redshirted in the 2019-20 season before making 18 appearances off the bench in 2020-21… Made his collegiate debut at home against La Salle, draining one three-point basket in nine minutes… Recorded 12 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and three steals for SJU.
HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Bishop McNamara High School after playing his junior season at national powerhouse Huntington Prep in West Virginia… A three-star recruit according to both ESPN and 247Sports… The No. 33 point guard recruit in the nation and No. 2 recruit in the state of Maryland for the class of 2019 according to 247Sports... Played his senior year at Bishop McNamara High School, where he owns the school's career assists record… Led the Mustangs to a 21-11 record and a spot in the quarterfinals of the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championships… Named All-WCAC Honorable Mention… Averaged 12 points and five assists per contest… Averaged 7.0 points, 5.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game... A four-year varsity starter in high school... Played for Team Thrill on the AAU circuit and also spent time with Team Melo.
PERSONAL: Full Name: Johnathon McGriff… Son of Lloyd and Monica McGriff… Major: Human Development.
Connor Serven
F • 6-8 • RS-Jr.
Prairie City, Ill. • St. Rita • Illinois
EMU: 2023-22: Incoming transfer with two years of eligibility.
ILLINOIS: Played three seasons for the Fighting Illini under Head Coach Brad Underwood… Appeared in 18 games during his time in Champaign, scoring three points and collecting seven rebounds… Member of three NCAA Tournament teams, including two squads that advanced to the NCAA Second Round in both 2022 and 2023… Illinois won the 2021-22 Big Ten Conference Regular Season Championship (tied) and also won the 2021 Big Ten Tournament title as the No. 3 seed… Honored by the conference as an Academic All-Big Ten selection following the 2021-22 campaign.
HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from St. Rita High School and played under Head Coach Roshawn Russel… Captained the team twice… Averaged 8.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists his senior season to help his squad to a 21-8 record… Earned Chicago Catholic League honorable mention all-conference accolades… Helped his teams to four titles, including a pair of Chicago Catholic League titles (junior and senior years) and two Prairie Land Conference crowns with Bushnell-Prairie HS (freshman and sophomore)… Also played five years for the AAU team Illinois Irish under Head Coach Gavin Sullivan.
PERSONAL: Full Name: Connor Vincent Serven… Son of Larry and Kelly Serven… Has two siblings, including brother Nate and sister Savannah… Cousin Justin Strnad is a linebacker with the Denver Broncos (NFL)… His father and brother both played collegiate basketball at the University of St. Francis (Ill.) with his father coaching basketball at Bushnell-Prairie City High School… Major: Business.
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