Fleming poised to lead the Bucs
CHARLESTON, S.C. (BVM) — Since his arrival at Charleston Southern University (CSU), Phlandrous Fleming has been a difference-maker for the Buccaneers men’s basketball program. The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 10.6 points per game his freshman year, and finished as runner up for the Big South Freshman of the Year award.
Now entering his senior year, Fleming is still getting recognized for his on-court talents. The Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, otherwise known as the “bible of college basketball,” has named Fleming the preseason Big South Player of the Year.
The standout guard is coming off a 2019-20 season where he won Big South Defensive Player of the Year alongside an All-Big South First Team nod. He also established himself as a Buccaneer all-time great, becoming just the second player in program history to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 200 assists, 100 steals and 50 blocks.
Now making his last hoorah in the NCAA, Fleming savors the personal accolades and is proud of them, but he wants more than that.
“The Big South has a lot of great players so it means a lot that they have recognized me to be one of those great players,” Fleming said, “…but I didn’t get a state championship with my high school and I haven’t gotten one here yet, so I’m trying to bring a championship to Charleston Southern.”
To do that, Fleming understands that they will have to make some leaps and bounds from last year’s 14-18 record, their first losing season since the 2016-17 season. However, the versatile playmaker believes they have the tools to do it.
Fleming noted that last year CSU ended the season with only six players eligible to play. The team was riddled with injuries, making it hard for them to compete to their potential.
“We have the size, we have the veterans, we just have to improve on being healthy,” Fleming said. “If we stay healthy we can make a big run in the Big South this year.”
While the Buccaneers will have some veteran presence this season, they will also be very youthful. The roster presents four freshmen and four sophomores, making the roster consist of nearly 50% underclassmen.
This doesn’t stop Fleming from believing that they can make a big impact in their first year.
“If they (underclassmen) see us (upperclassmen) doing the right things, they’ll be open to learn,” Fleming said. “When we came in we were open to learning and we made an impact in our first years, so they can do the same things.”
The star Buccaneer plans on being the lead man in mentoring the younger players, by handling his business as usual. He’ll be doing it for his teammates, coaches and himself as he has now elevated himself onto the list of NBA scouts.
“I plan on doing what I always do; work, lead by example. If my guys see me do it, then they’ll do it right behind me,” Fleming said. “They said I’m preseason player of the year so I’ve got to go and get it.”
