Meet the fresh faces in Duquesne’s starting five

Will Stover & Ben Deihl | staff writer & sports editor

Names like Dick Ricketts, Si Green and Chuck Cooper were trailblazers for both Duquesne and the NBA.

Now, three new faces and two stellar seniors in Duquesne’s starting five hope to make their own mark in the history books.

John Hugley IV, Forward, 6 foot 10 inches
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio

Forward John Hugley IV is a familiar face around Pittsburgh. Affectionately nicknamed “Big John” due to his 6-foot-10-inch, 265-pound frame, the big spent his first three collegiate years just down Forbes Avenue at the University of Pittsburgh.

Hugley was one of the Panthers’ stars in 2021, averaging 14.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. After stepping away from the team for personal reasons, Hugley spent one year at both Oklahoma and Xavier before returning to the steel city to play for Duquesne.

A Cleveland native, Hugley is grateful to be back in Pittsburgh and be so close to home, along with friends he made during his career as a Panther.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Hugley said. “I got a lot of family out here, a lot of friends. The coaching staff really believes in me. I feel comfortable but not complacent. I’m just excited to be back in Pittsburgh putting in the work.”

Hugley provides a big body that can play both power forward and center, giving the Dukes a physical big who shoots well in the paint.

Jakub Nečas, Forward, 6 foot 10 inches
Hometown: Blansko, Czech Republic

Duquesne basketball player stands at the free throw line, raising his arms during a game, with the crowd visible in the background. — [Rebecca Jozwiak, multimedia editor] Jakub Necas returns to Duquesne for his third year as a Duke, becoming a leader amongst the transfers.

Jakub Nečas is one of two starters that was at Duquesne last year. In 2024, Nečas averaged 6 points per game and collected 20 blocks and 23 steals in 29 games.

Even though he didn’t play in high school, Nečas is an experienced basketball player having experience in international play. He was named one of the Czech Republic’s 10 Rising Stars at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA)’s U20 2024 EuroBasket.

“FIBA was probably the first stage I competed against guys that were on the same level as the NCAA,” Nečas said. “Building the experience playing overseas is something different. It’s a different kind of basketball.”

He averaged 18.6 points per game, 8.4 rebounds per game and shot 44% during his time playing in FIBA.

Now in his third year at Duquesne, Nečas has taken a leadership role on the team. He’s recognized that not much has changed the team’s mentality with all the new faces.

“I don’t think [our mindset] ever changed,” Nečas said. “The new guys came in with the same mindset. We want to win.”

Tarence Guinyard, Guard, 6 foot 2 inches
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.

From Tampa to Pittsburgh, Tarence Guinyard’s journey to Duquesne has been fueled by perseverance and speed — two traits that define his game.

After starring at Florida State College in Jacksonville where he put up 1,300 points in two seasons, Guinyard made a name for himself at University of Tennessee Martin. As a Skyhawk, he averaged 16.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, earning him All-Ohio Valley Conference First Team honors.

Now suiting up for the Dukes, Guinyard brings a blend of scoring and playmaking. He knows the best aspects of his game and is excited to bring one specific attribute to Duquesne.

“Speed. I have a quick first step,” Guinyard said. “I can score very well. But what I really bring outside of my scoring is my ability to pass. I see everything before it’s there.”

His rise wasn’t easy. It took determination to prove himself to his new teammates and coaches.

“It was tough,” Guinyard said. “It’s not like I just walked in here. I didn’t know I was going to be the starting point guard. I had to prove that I deserved to be.”

Jimmie Williams, Guard, 6 foot 5 inches
Hometown: Solon, Ohio

Standing at 6-foot-5 and hailing from Solon, Ohio, Jimmie Williams brings determination, size and athleticism to the Duquesne backcourt. His path to Duquesne was shaped by his experience in junior college before earning his Division I opportunity.

“JUCO was a great experience,” Williams said. “I met a lot of great coaches and players who I still have connections with. It was definitely a grind. Sometimes JUCO could be hard because you don’t know if you’re going to get anything.”

The hard work has paid off. Williams developed into a two-way guard known for his versatility, showing strong defensive presence and demonstrating his ability to finish through contact. His steady improvement earned him a chance to continue his career playing for the Dukes, where his energy and work ethic made him a stand-out player during preseason practices.

Now, as a part of the starting five, Williams is focused on contributing wherever the team needs him.

Cam Crawford, Guard, 6 foot 5 inches
Hometown: Birmingham, Ala.

Basketball player Cam Crawford in an active stance on the court, wearing a Duquesne team uniform during a game. — [Rebecca Jozwiak, multimedia editor] Now in his second year on the Bluff, Cam Crawford has his eyes set on the national tournament.

Cam Crawford is entering the season as one of Duquesne’s most experienced leaders. Having played on a handful of teams before finding his home in Pittsburgh, Crawford understands what it takes to build team chemistry.

“This is my third school,” Crawford said. “I played for some coaches and we didn’t see eye to eye, so I was a little weary at first. But Dru has my full trust. Being one of the returning players was big.”

Crawford’s maturity shows both on and off the court. Known for his steady defense and vocal leadership, he’s embraced his role as a mentor for the younger players. Crawford now has experience in Joyce’s system, a key to becoming a leader.

Will Stover can be reached at stoverw1@duq.edu

Ben Deihl can be reached at deihlb1@duq.edu