RICHMOND, Ky. – Yvens Paul, a 6-foot-7 forward who played at Florida Southwestern State College, will join the Eastern Kentucky University men's basketball team starting with the 2024-25 season.
 
This past season, Paul averaged 8.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.  The redshirt freshman played in all 31 games and started 19 times.  He shot 70 percent from the field (110-for-158) and helped the Bucs to a 22-9 record.

"Yvens brings more length and athleticism to our program," EKU Head Coach A.W. Hamilton said.  "I love his motor and ability to guard all five positions."
 
Paul scored a season-high 17 points twice – against IMG Academy and versus No. 1 ranked Northwest Florida State.  He also had 11 rebounds against IMG.  Paul grabbed 10 or more rebounds in a game on six occasions, including a season-best 14 against Palm Beach State College.  He contributed 12 points and 13 rebounds in a game at Miami Dade College.  Paul blocked six shots in a game two times – against No. 1 Northwest Florida and at Indian River State College.
 
The Naples, Florida native redshirted in 2022-23 at Florida Southwestern.
 
Paul prepped at Barron Collier High School where he earned three letters for the Cougars.  He averaged a double-double as a senior with 10.4 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 5.7 blocks per game.  Paul helped his team to a district championship and a 20-10 record.
 
EKU won the 2023-24 Atlantic Sun Conference Regular Season Championship, the program's first regular season conference title in 45 years.  Hamilton was chosen as the ASUN Coach of the Year and the NABC District III Coach of the Year.  He is the first coach in program history to be named conference coach of the year twice.