CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas has added a second Australian student-athlete to the roster in guard Harrison Beauchamp, according to UCA coach John Shulman.

Beauchamp is a 6-foot-6 freshman guard from Victoria, Australia who most recently played at Marcelin College.

He is a current NBL1 player, was captain of the Australian U17 national team, was the 2024 FIBA World Cup group state Most Valuable Player (where he averaged 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals) and was captain of the Australian National Team that won gold in Qatar in 2023.

Beauchamp is a three-time gold medal captain of the U16-U18 Victorian national championship teams and was the Victoria Junior Basketballer of the Year in 2022 and 2024.

“Harry is a guy that we had heard a lot about this spring,” said Shulman. “He has had a ton of success during his prep years, both in high school and with his national team. Once we got to lay eyes on him it was apparent that his skill set fit the things that we value.

“His ability to shoot the basketball, combined with his high IQ quickly stuck out to us. After speaking with his coaches and hearing about his competitive edge and love for the game we knew we wanted Harry in our program. We are really excited about what he brings to the table for the Bears.”

Information from UCA Sports is included in this story.

CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas has made a big addition to their men’s basketball roster for the 2025-26 season, but they had to go down under to do it.

Bears coach John Shulman signing 6-foot-10 Australian forward Truman Byrne over the weekend, adding some much-needed size to the roster.

Hailing from Melbourne and a product of Berwick College, Byrne brings a rare combination of size, skill, and championship experience.

Byrne’s basketball résumé is impressive.

As a three-time high school national champion representing the state of Victoria, he averaged 16.5 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.5 assists during his senior year.

His versatility extends beyond the basketball court. He’s also a two-time medalist in golf and was selected for Australia’s NBL league at just 17.

“We have been very meticulous with this last forward spot and I am excited to say that after sifting through hundreds of prospects that Truman Byrne is exactly what we were looking for,” Shulman said

“Within the first 10 minutes of meeting Truman I knew he fit us perfectly when it came to his personality and character. It just so happens that he is a 6-10 solid-framed kid with a great deal of skill.”

Shulman highlighted Byrne’s shooting and passing abilities as key assets for the Bears’ offensive system.

“It’s a perfect fit for us in what we are going to do offensively,” Shulman said. “While Truman has all of the abilities that we are looking for, it is also very refreshing to know that he has really been coached.

“Coming out of the AUSA program we know that he has been taught how to play the game of basketball with high IQ and a competitive edge.”

Byrne’s recruitment reflects a growing trend of NCAA programs looking internationally for talent, especially from Australia, which has produced NBA and college standouts such as Ben Simmons and Josh Giddey.

The Australian basketball development system is known for its emphasis on fundamentals and team play, traits that Shulman and his staff value highly.

CONWAY, Ark. — Former standout guard Camren Hunter is back at Central Arkansas for his final season.

Hunter, from Bryant, Ark., played his first three seasons, 2021-22 and 2022-23 and missing the entire 2023-24 season due to injury, before transferring to Wisconsin following that season.

Hunter was named the Atlantic Sun Conference Freshman of the Year and a first-team All-ASUN selection in 2022-23 after averaging 14.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.5 steals in his first season at UCA.

Hunter had a then-career high 25 points against Bellarmine and scored in double figures 23 times out of 30 games. He shot 81.5 percent from the free-throw line.

As a sophomore, Hunter was even better, averaging a team-high 16.9 points (fifth in the ASUN), 5.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists (fifth in the ASUN) and 1.5 steals while shooting 78.6 percent from the free-throw line and making 50 three-pointers.

Hunter had seasons highs of 33 points at Queens and 28 points vs. Rider. He also had just the fourth triple-double in school history with 20 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists vs. North Alabama.

Hunter missed the entire 2023-24 season with a medical redshirt after a preseason scrimmage injury. At Wisconsin last season, he played in 11 games for a Badger team that went 27-10 and lost 91-89 to BYU in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

“I am not sure there is much more I need to say,” said UCA coach John Shulman. “Hopefully UCA fans are as excited as I am about this one. Cam had really great opportunities this time last year, while we were transitioning into our first year here and we respected his decision to explore his options. Quite frankly, he had really great opportunities this spring and I am proud that he chose us. He believes in what we are doing here and is determined to finish what he started in his home state.

“I really look forward to coaching Cam and the competitive mindset that he brings day in and day out. He knows what it takes to win and holds himself to that standard every single day, which is rare. What is even more rare, is that he will hold others to this same standard every day as well, and that is what makes him truly special.

“Cam has been around the block so to speak. He has seen college basketball for many years now and possesses knowledge that only first-hand experience can provide. We know what he does for our program and can’t wait for everyone else to see it this fall.”