Coach Sanderson says: "Israel is a very good rebounder. He can defend. His learning curve is also going to be important to him."

2005-2006: Red-shirt

High School: Averaged 16.5 points and 10 rebounds per game as a senior. Also scored more than 1,300 points in his high school career. Named team MVP as a junior and senior. District MVP in the MTCAA and TAACS State MVP his junior season. Selected as an All-State player his senior year. Also named a "Blue Chip All-Star", the "Top Sleeper in Tennessee" in prep basketball and was on the top 25 ranked seniors in the state of Tennessee list published by Rick Bolus.

Personal: Son of Margienell and Onnie Isaac Kirk of Nashville.

Why he chose Lipscomb: "Lipscomb has a good campus environment," Kirk said. "Their NCAA Division I program is on the rise. Coach Sanderson and assistant coach Shaun Senters are great people. I want them to teach me more about the game."