SEATTLE, WA – The Seattle University men’s basketball program announced the signing of three players ahead of the 2021-22 season. Clancy Bird, Kyree Brown and Brandt Chatfield have all signed on to join the team Head Coach Jim Hayford announced on Wednesday.
The additions come in places of need following last season. Size down low has been a problem over the past couple of seasons and coach Hayford was able to go out and sign two players over 6’9. The departure of Darrion Trammell also meant that the team was going to be down in the backcourt, an area that they usually have a surplus of talent at, but they got another point to come in and help run the show.
“Our staff is excited to announce these great additions to the program,” said Hayford. “All three of these young men come with top-notch academic credentials and have had great success in their basketball careers up to this point.”
Kyree Brown (6’0 guard, City College of San Francisco)
Coach Hayford has found a gold mine of talent coming out of the CCSF program. Last season WAC leading scorer Darrion Trammell and fellow teammates Emeka Udenyi and Nate Robinson were huge impact players after transferring up north to Seattle. Brown, who was a teammate of the trio, looks to continue that success.
“Kyree is an excellent defender who can play both guard positions,” said Hayford. “He brings versatility and toughness to our back court.”
During his time with the Rams, Brown averaged 8.7 points, 5.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game and helped guide CCSF to a 30-0 mark before the season was shut down due to the pandemic.
Kyree was also a stud in high school, earning all league honors in his junior and senior years while attending Berkley High School in Berkley, California. Berkley made the playoffs all four years that Brown was a member of the team.
Brandt Chatfield (6’10” forward, Washington State)
As mentioned before, size has been an issue with the Redhawks for a couple of seasons now. Adding a 6’10’ guy who is physical and knows how to clean the glass was just what the doctor ordered.
Chatfield took a redshirt year with the Cougars in 2019-20 before appearing in seven games off the bench in 2020-21. His high school career was very impressive as he broke several records while attending Clarkston High School in Clarkston, Washington. He grabbed 533 career rebounds, while also setting the single season record at 342 his senior year. He averaged 15 points and 12.7 rebounds during his senior campaign.
“We needed to add a big man who could bring defensive physicality and rebounding toughness,” said Hayford. “Brandt brings all of this and more, and we are excited that he chose us out of his many options.”
Outside of being a great basketball player, Brandt also was a two time letter winner in track and field during his high school years.
Clancy Bird (6’9” forward, Australia/St. Augustine College)
If there is one thing we know, it’s that this coaching staff loves players from Australia.
Clancy Bird is a versatile 6’9” forward who should be an instant impact type of guy. He went 46-0 over five varsity seasons at St. Augustine’s College, winning five conference championships and two state Trinity championships. He was a three-time team MVP, was named the Saints’ Athlete of the Year five times and averaged 23.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 3.2 blocks, 1.3 steals during the past season.
“Clancy will develop into a premier front court player in the WAC,” Hayford said. “He has skill, athleticism and size.”
Bird has a connection with current Redhawks big man Kobe Williamson, in that they both played for the Sandringham Sabers of the Southern Basketball Association. Clancy also played for the Manly-Warringah Basketball Association club team from 2012-20 and was named 2018 and 2019 Manly-Warringah Basketball Association Play of the Year and MVP.
The three new signees will join Brody Nunn in the 2021 signing class.
Russell is the Content Director for the Eli Network. He studied broadcast journalism at Eastern Oregon and North Dakota State University. Mostly covers soccer and basketball in the Seattle area and is the current play-by-play voice for Seattle Redhawks basketball. You can follow him @brussbrwn.
