Norfolk State University’s basketball Spartans will have a strong Richmond area influence during the upcoming season.

Coach Robert Jones’ roster features four from the 804 Area Code:

• Daryl Anderson, a 6-foot-6 sophomore who began his high school career at Midlothian High School before transferring to Miller School of Albemarle.

• J.J. Matthews, a 6-foot-9 redshirt senior transfer from Arkansas State who played locally at Millwood School in Chesterfield.

• Chris Ford, a 6-foot-8 junior from L.C. Bird High School.

• Tyrese Jenkins, a 6-foot-6 sophomore from Varina High School.

Anderson, Ford and Jenkins all made strong contributions last season. Matthews averaged nine points and five rebounds a year ago for Arkansas State.

The Spartans went 16-15 last season, including 12-4 in MEAC, where the team tied for second, and 11-1 at Joseph Echols Hall.

Gone from that squad are All-MEAC guard Jermaine Bishop and third-team All-MEAC forward Steven Whitley.

The season ended abruptly in mid-March during the MEAC Tournament because of the coronavirus.

For safety concerns, NSU is staying close to home for its non-conference schedule. The Spartans open Nov. 27-28 in Har- risonburg with games against host James Madison University and Radford University.

Other non-conference opponents are Old Dominion and Hampton universities, the College of William & Mary and the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.

The MEAC season commences Dec. 29 with a game at North Carolina A&T State University.

The MEAC Tournament is set to begin March 8 at the Nor- folk Scope.