Andrew Fishler, Desmond Ringer add size to Mercer basketball team

Bob Hoffman's Mercer basketball teams typically have had plenty of size and a good combination of big men to handle the physical play on the inside.

The highlight of that focal point of the program was the play of Daniel Coursey and Monty Brown for several successful seasons.

That continues this season with the addition of Andrew Fishler and Desmond Ringer, who both sat out last season after transferring to the program. Fishler is 7-foot-1, while Ringer is 6-9 and 255 pounds.

"We're big; we will be bigger than most of the teams in our league, but the great thing is we have always been that way since I have been here, and that helps us in those major conference games (against non-conference teams)," Hoffman said. "The size doesn't usually bother us when we get into those games, and it gives us a chance to be successful."

Fishler transferred to Mercer from Gulf Coast State College and played his high school ball at Forsyth Central in Cumming. He is a junior.

"Fishler is 7-1, not a fabricated height. He's real, and he's long on top of that, so if you can get him in the middle of the lane in the right place, which we're trying to run different things to get him those opportunities, he's got great touch, can jump up and shoot a jump hook. He has a sky hook, too," Hoffman said. "The main thing for him is holding on to the ball and being strong. He's bigger than everybody else, and he just has to make sure he's not in a hurry. Once he gets that every day, I think that will help us."

Ringer transferred from South Carolina and played his high school ball at Eagle's Landing. He is a sophomore.

Niklas Ney, who played some as a freshman last season, is also in the mix on the inside at 6-10. He has been banged up in the preseason.

"Desmond is more of a rock'em, sock'em, hit them in the face, push them off the block and bully them a little bit type of player," Hoffman said. "That's his game, and he did a tremendous job at that (in an exhibition in October), too. And then you have Nick Ney, who is hurt. Those will be the three big men who will be inside."

And the Bears are expecting the big men to be pivotal to their success this season. Mercer's season begins Nov. 13 against Allen at Hawkins Arena.

"Our guys inside, they have come along real well," senior point guard Phillip Leonard said. "Andrew Fishler is big and can block shots and rebound. Then we have Desmond in the middle, too, and he's not letting anybody come through the paint. We are feeling good about them."

This story was originally published November 1, 2015 at 3:34 PM with the headline "Andrew Fishler, Desmond Ringer add size to Mercer basketball team ."