Men's Basketball Adds Trio of Walk-ons
5/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Stephen F. Austin head basketball coach Brad Underwood announced Thursday the addition of three recruited walk-ons to the 2015-16 roster in guards Jonny Dahl, Payton Stephens and Tyler Underwood. 
"I am very excited about the additions of Jonny, Payton and Tyler," said Underwood, "They are great additions to our squad, and can help us keep moving in the direction we want to go. All three have the potential to become outstanding players."
Dahl is a 6-4 combo guard from Keokuk, Iowa, and averaged 18.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 3.0 steals per game as a senior. Dahl holds the program records for points and assists in a career at Keokuk, and was a second-team All-State selection and Southeast Conference Player of the Year in 2014-15.
"Jonny is one of the best players coming out of Iowa. He is a coach's son who does a bit of everything and does it very well," said Underwood. "He has a chance to be a tremendous player at SFA, can play both guard spots, has an extremely high basketball IQ, and is young man we're very excited to have in our program."
At 6-4, Stephens will play on the wing for the Lumberjacks, and comes to Nacogdoches after averaging 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game during the 2014-15 season. He led McPherson to the 4A Kansas State Championship with a 25-0 record and was named the Kansas State Tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
"Payton is one of the top prospects from Kansas, a player I've seen grow since third grade. He is an outstanding athlete with a great frame at 6-5, 220 pounds," Underwood said. "A tough-minded young man and one of the better players in the state, Payton has the ability to be a terrific player at SFA."
Underwood is a 6-1 guard from Nacogdoches, Texas, and averaged 21.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game in his final season. Filling up the stat sheet, Underwood was a two-time selection to the All-District first team. 
"Tyler will redshirt as a freshman, as he is coming off an ACL injury. He is a very good shooter with exceptional range," remarked Underwood, "He has an extremely high basketball IQ and feel for the game, and I am personally very excited to have him with us as part of the program."
SFA is coming off its third-straight regular season Southland Conference title and back-to-back SLC tournament titles and NCAA appearances. SFA ranks among an elite group of teams in recent seasons, ranking seventh nationally in wins since 2012-13 (88) and is one of 10 teams to record at least 25 wins in each of the last three years.
Jonny Dahl
6-4 | 195 lbs | Guard | Freshman
Keokuk, Iowa | Keokuk
Prior to SFA: Attended Keokuk High School, averaged 18.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 3.0 steals per game as a senior ... Second team 3A All-State Iowa Newspaper Association selection ... 2015 Southeast Conference Player of the Year ... Three-time All-Sub-State honoree ... Three-time All-Southeast Conference selection ... Holds Keokuk career records for points (1,341) and assists (513) ... Played for his father, Jeff Dahl, at Keokuk.
Payton Stephens
6-4 | 215 lbs | Guard | Freshman
McPherson, Kan. | McPherson
Prior to SFA: Attended McPherson High School, averaged 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game as a senior ... Led McPherson to 2015 4A Kansas State Championship with a 25-0 record ... Named Kansas State Tournament Most Outstanding Player ... First team All-State selection ... Named to KBCA All-State team.
Tyler Underwood
6-1 | 160 lbs | Guard | Freshman
Nacogdoches, Texas | Nacogdoches
Prior to SFA: Attended Nacogdoches High School, averaged 21.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game as a senior ... Two-time All-District first team selection.
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