Men's Basketball Announces Addition of Six for 2019-20

Central Connecticut men's basketball head coach Doneyll Marshall announced the addition of six student-athletes during the spring signing period. The group signing National Letters of Intent in the spring include Stephane Ayangma, Myles Baker, Zach Newkirk, Greg Outlaw, Javen Udofia and Xavier Wilson.

"This is an exciting and talented group of newcomers," said Marshall. "They come from winning backgrounds and are looking forward to getting on campus, getting to know each other and playing together and doing great things as a team. They play with a chip on their shoulder and want to do whatever it takes to win basketball games."

Ayangma joins Central from Hinds Community College with two years of eligibility remaining. A 6-foot-6 frontcourt player originally from Yaounde, Cameroon, Ayangma led Hinds CC with 15.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, which ranked 31st nationally. He ranked 25th in the NJCAA ranks with a 63.2 percent field goal percentage and collected 11 double-doubles with four 20-point games. Ayangma, also was named First Team All-State South Division and a MACJC All-Star Game Selection, was named to the Sun Herald All-South Mississippi Boys Basketball Team as a senior at Picayune Memorial High School after putting up 20.4 ppg and 11.1 rpg as a senior. 

Marshall on Ayangma - "He is a tough, hard-nosed power forward. He has a high motor and is a player who can score and rebound and will bring toughness. He is a strong defender and brings an energy to the court that will benefit us."

Baker played at Whitney Young High School in Chicago, IL, and has been ranked as a top 10 prospect in Illinois and the #2 shooting guard by Illinois Prep Hoop. A 6-foot-4 wing, he helped the Dophins to the Class 4A sectional finalas a senior after helping them to back-to-back state championship appearances in 2017-18, including a state title in 2017. Baker put up 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game and was named All-City Second Team and All-State Honorable Mention as a senior. He also earned All-Tournament Team honors at the Proviso West High School Christmas Tournament and game MVP honors at the ARS Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest. As a junior he averged 13.0 points per game and earned All-City and All-State Honorable Mention honors.

Marshall on Baker - "Myles comes to us as one of the best scorers in Chicago and state of Illinois. To have a player of his ability commit to CCSU is exciting. He's a gym rat who can not only score, but is also very good at facilitating those around him."

Newkirk is a 6-foot-1 guard from Raleigh, NC, with three years of eligibility after playing at Brunswick Community College in 2018-19. He started 31 out of 32 games for the Dolphins and averaged 7.4 points, 3.7 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game. He helped Brunswick to a 22-10 record and the Region 10 semifinals. Newkirk graduated high school from the Word of God Christian Academy as class valedictorian.

Marshall on Newkirk - "The first thing that stood out to me is his defense and tenacity. Your point guard is the first line of defense and Zach puts pressure on opponents and fights through screens to make it hard on other teams. Offensively, he can score and get to the basket, but he also looks to make his teammates better around him."

Outlaw is a 6-foot-4 wing from Chicago's Rezin Orr Academy High School. An athletic scorer and tenacious defender, Outlaw was named Honorable Mention All-City in Chicago and earned Class 2A Second Team All-State as a senior. He averaged 13.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game helping Orr to a 24-12 record and the IHSA Class 2A title. He posted 10 points, four rebounds and two steals in the championship game. 

Marshall on Outlaw - "He is a tough, hard-nosed wing who can defend four positions on the floor and brings toughness as an outstanding defender. He has the ability to change the game in a variety of ways and score at different levels. He has a great attitude and is excited to be a Blue Devil."

Udofia is a 6-foot-2 guard from Bryan High School in Omaha, NE. Udofia put up 17.9 points per game and shot 51 percent from the field for the Bears and graduated as the school's all-time leading scorer. He helped his team advance to the Nebraska District A-3 championship game. An Omaha World Herald All-ITG First Team choice, he added a team-best 2.7 assists per game and was second on the team in rebounds, steals and blocks.

Marshall on Udofia - "Javen is capable of playing either guard position. He has the size and ability to score, but also looks to put his teammates in position to score and help his team win games."

Wilson is a 6-foot-7 forward from Pomona, NY who played a post-graduate year at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT, in 2018-19. A team captain, he helped Hotchkiss go 19-6 and advance to the semifinals of the NEPSAC Class A Tournament. A member of the Class A All-New England Team, Wilson averaged nearly 14.0 points, 9.0 rebounds 2.0 steals and 2.0 blocks per game helping his team win Tri-State League and Founders League championships. Wilson graduated from Archbishop Stepinac High School where he earned LoHud Second Seven honors in 2017-18 after leading the team to the New York State Federation AA state championship and a NYCHSAA championship. Wilson graduated cum laude and earned the school's William F. Plunkett Award for displaying "the qualities of academic excellence, service to others and school spirit."

Marshall on Wilson - "We wanted to add someone who can rebound and shoot from the power forward position. 'X' is a guy who has the ability to put the ball on the floor and score points or grab a rebound. He brings toughness and plays with an edge every game out."

The group joins fall signee, Trey Tennyson a 6-foot-4 guard from Mansfield Legacy High School in Texas where he averaged 24 points, six rebounds and two steals per game as a senior. Tennyson was named to the Star-Telegram All-Area Second Team and the TABC Class 5A All-Region 1 Team and was MVP of the Dallas vs. Tarrant All-Star Game following the season.