NASHVILLE, Tenn. –Vanderbilt men’s basketball head coach Jerry Stackhouse announced the addition of transfers Ven-Allen Lubin, Evan Taylor and Tasos Kamateros to the 2023-24 roster.
The experienced trio of student-athletes arrive in Nashville with proven Division I production as reigning SEC Coach of the Year Jerry Stackhouse enters year five at Vanderbilt.
Lubin played one season at Notre Dame and will have three seasons of eligibility with the Commodores, while Taylor (Lehigh) and Kamateros (South Dakota) both graduated from their previous universities and will be playing their final season of collegiate basketball in 2023-24.
“We are very encouraged with the additions of Ven, Evan and Tasos via the transfer portal,” Stackhouse said. “They are the right type of transfer additions to continue the growth of our program. We are excited about their proven experience, leadership qualities, and the versatile talents they possess. Their abilities complement our current team and returners extremely well. Ven, Evan and Tasos are committed students who embody the characteristics required to be Vanderbilt Men. We cannot wait to get on the floor and begin working with them this summer.”
Ven-Allen Lubin
- 6’8”, 225, Forward
- Hometown: Orlando, Fla.
- Previous School: University of Notre Dame
Lubin put together a productive freshman season at Notre Dame, appearing in 28 games with seven starts for the Fighting Irish in 2022-23. The Orlando native put up 6.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while shooting a team-best 58 percent from the floor while leading the team with 23 blocks on the defensive end. In an efficient 17.5 minutes per game, Lubin put up 14.2 points and 1.8 blocks per 40 minutes.
The forward scored in double figured eight times, including six in Atlantic Coast Conference action. His top game last season came on the road at Wake Forest where he posted 19 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
Lubin was recently invited to participate in the 2023 USA U19 Men’s National Team Training Camp at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was one of just 35 athletes selected. Camp begins June 11 with the 12-member team to be announced before departing for the 2023 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup, scheduled for June 24-July 2 in Debrecen, Hungary.
In the classroom at Notre Dame, Lubin earned a spot on the 2023 ACC All-Academic Team.
Lubin was a consensus four-star prospect out of Orlando Christian Prep and was a top 75 recruit by both ESPN and Rivals. He was invited to the Pangos All-American and National Basketball Players Association Top 100 Camp in the summer of 2021 and led Orlando Christian Prep to the 2020 Class 2A State Championship. He was a first-team all-state selection by SourceHoops.com/Florida Association of Basketball Coaches.
Stackhouse on Lubin: “Ven is a terrific fit for our basketball family. He is versatile, athletic and provides our roster with a valuable combination of proven collegiate production and long-term upside. He can play multiple positions and does so with a great motor and athleticism. The culture and community here at Vanderbilt aligned with what Ven was looking for to continue his growth as a student-athlete. We are very excited about his future with us as a Commodore.”
Evan Taylor
- 6’6”, 205, Guard/Forward
- Hometown: Glen Ellyn, Ill.
- Previous School: Lehigh University
A native of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, Taylor played in 105 games in four seasons for the Mountain Hawks, earning All-Patriot League honors in each of the last two seasons. The 6-6 wing posted 14.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in 2022-23.
In addition to scoring 1,186 career points, he also earned Academic All-Patriot League team honors and won Lehigh University’s John A. Cable Leadership Award – the top department leadership award for a graduating male student-athlete.
A knockdown shooter, Taylor shot 40.8 percent from three-point distance during his career at Lehigh. He shot a career-best 43.0 percent (55-of-128) from three in 2022-23 after finishing 41.2 percent (54-of-131) the previous season.
He scored 20 points or more six times last season, including a 20-point effort on the road at Syracuse.
Taylor starred at Glenbard West High School near Chicago, averaging 21.7 points, 3.8 assists and 10.1 rebounds as a senior. He finished his high school career as the program’s all-time leader for points and rebounds.
Stackhouse on Taylor: “Evan is an exciting addition to our team as a graduate transfer. He is an experienced wing with size, who has been amongst the top scorers and shooters in the Patriot League over the course of his career. Evan is ready to reach a new level with his game while with us at Vanderbilt. He is mature, high character and serious about his academics. We are excited to work with Evan and see him impact our program in a variety of ways.”
Tasos Kamateros
- 6’8”, 240, Forward
- Hometown: Athens, Greece
- Previous School: University of South Dakota
Kamateros brings his unique skillset to Nashville after four seasons at the University of South Dakota, earning All- Summit League honorable mention twice. The big man from Greece posted 989 points, 497 rebounds and 140 career assists for the Coyotes in 100 career games.
Kamateros is one of just four student-athletes in the nation 6’8 or taller who registered at least 50 assists and made at least 50 three-pointers in each of the last two seasons.
During the 2022-23 season, he shot 40.1 percent (57-of-142) from three-point distance and had 19 games with multiple 3s.
Kamateros averaged 12.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists as a senior, posting 21 games scoring in double figures including five games with 20-plus points.
On the international stage, he represented Greece at the 2018 U18 FIBA European Championship.
Stackhouse on Kamateros: “We are thrilled about the addition of Tasos to our program as a graduate transfer. He is a very skilled frontcourt player with maturity, work ethic, and the desire to prove himself against SEC competition. His proven production as a shooter and passer is a great fit for our system. He is a focused student academically who values the opportunity to earn a Vanderbilt master’s degree. I am confident in his ability to make a significant impact within the Vanderbilt community.”
