Men’s Basketball Preview: Eatmon Returns to Bucs Sideline

Joe Eatmon was born to be a basketball coach. 

So when the opportunity came for him to return as the head coach at Shelton State Community College, it was an offer he couldn't refuse. 

"Basketball has always been my passion," Eatmon said. "The things I missed the most while I was out were these guys and impacting their lives, and the competition."

Eatmon forged a 182-39 (.824) record in his first stint at Shelton State from 2016-2022. He led the Bucs to five ACCC titles in six seasons and took his squad to the NJCAA National Tournament six times, including back-to-back Sweet 16 trips in 2021-22.

After the 2022 season, he moved into the role as the college's Dean of Community Relations. 

During that time, the Bucs made the conference tournament just one season, so when a coaching change was made this summer, Eatmon returned to the Bucs sidelines.

The wait is over. Shelton State opens the season this weekend at the Calhoun Community College Classic in Decatur. The Bucs will face Reid State on Friday, Oct. 31 at 2 p.m. and Wallace State Selma on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m.

"We are ready to play someone that counts," Eatmon said. "I think that's when we are at our best, when the lights are on. We are ready to tip it off."

Shelton Stare's roster includes three returnees and 14 newcomers. 

"We have a lot of guys, that's a luxury this year," Eatmon said. "This is one of the deepest teams I've had. Usually by now I know who my eight or nine guys that are going to play, but we are still at probably about 12 or 13."

The three returners are sophomore guard DJ Hamlett (Hillcrest HS; Tuscaloosa), sophomore guard Devin Bowers (Lithonia, Ga.), and sophomore center Shah Hall (Hillcrest HS; Tuscaloosa).

Hamlett averaged 6.0 points and 2.6 rebounds in 27 games last year. Bowers tallied 2.6 points in 21 games. 

Eatmon says both with play bigger roles this season. 

"DJ is back and is probably one of the best guards in the league," Eatmon said "He's already picking up Division I interests. 

"Bowers is back and going to be a leader for us. He's been here and knows what it takes."

Hall missed the 2025 season with an injury but Eatmon sees him being a major force inside in 2026.

"He will probably be, in my opinion, the best big man in our conference. He is receiving a lot of Division I interests. He will be a plus for us."

Eatmon also added a stellar class of newcomers that will make major contributions.

"We were able to put together a talented roster," Eatmon said. "We have a lot of talented guys. We have a lot more size than i normally have, so that's going to be a big strength for us, and we have some bigger guards.

"I took the job in May and tried to find the best kids we could that are good kids and good players. I think we did a pretty good job."

The freshmen include Fredrick Derrick (Buckhorn HS), Anderson Wilkin (Northridge HS), Terrance Pruitt (Mae Jemison HS), King Larkin (Paul Bryant HS), Dillan Purifoy (Pleasant Home HS), Khalil Roberts (Hillcrest HS), Raymon McCants (Clay-Chalkville), Tyler Robertson (Calhoun HS) and Jonas Wilkin (Northridge HS). 

Derrick won two state titles at Buckhorn, where he played as an eighth grader. 

Anderson Wilson scored more than 1,000 points at Northridge High School. His brother, Jonas was a walk-on at Alabama on the 2025 Elite Eight team.

Larkin won a state championship at Bryant High School and McCants was a 1,000-point scorer at Clay-Chalkville. 

The list of transfers includes Marchello Perkins (Wallace Selma), Mason Jones (Kansas City CC), Bryant Aijero (Tallahassee CC), Rodwick Jackson (Chipola CC), Wesley Roberson (Bevill State). 

The roster is loaded with home grown talent. There are 15 players from Alabama, including seven from Tuscaloosa.

"We've got a local guys, a lot of in state guys," Eatmon said. "I believe in starting at home and working my way out in recruiting. A lot of these guys were some of the better players in the state of Alabama that we kind of had relationships with around the state."

Despite all the newcomers, Eatmon expects the Bucs to be successful and live up to the standards of the program. 

"We've always had a culture of winning and we are bringing back that culture," Eatmon said. "We are going to hold our guys accountable. The standard is the standard. We have a standard of how we are going to be on and off the court. 

"I have certain standards of how we are going to come in and work everyday. I'm holding them accountable for meeting that standard."