The Raiders have pulled two Division I prospects from the transfer portal. Michael Imariagbe, a 6-foot-7 forward from Houston Christian, and Jack Doumbia, a 6-6 wing from Norfolk State.
Imariagbe (pronounced eh-maar-e-bey) averaged 13.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, ranking third in the Southland Conference.
He was the Huskies' third leading scorer, going 6-23.
Doumbia (pronounced doom-bee-eye) played in 24 games for Norfolk State last season, starting two and averaging 5.1 points. He had a career-high 17 points and 10 rebounds.
The Spartans went 24-11 and won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with an 11-3 mark. They also won the CollegeInsider.com postseason tournament, defeating Purdue Fort Wayne 75-67 in the final.
“These two young men check all the boxes. They have a high level of humility and value doing the right thing, just walking into a new locker room. It was important to our staff,” said Sargent.
Imariabe has two years of eligibility and Doumbia has one year of eligibility.
“They want to grow. I don't think that's discussed enough. There's a six-month period before the season where they get better, and both kids are enthusiastic. That's me It was a very refreshing process for me,” said Sgt.
The transfer portal is chaotic, especially for the NIL component, but one advantage is that a wide range of film is available to prospects.
That was especially true for Imariagbe, who had 26 points and 21 rebounds in one game last season.
“We have other big kids, but he complements them. And he has a lot of life and energy — just his personality and who he is,” said Sgt. Told.
“You never know how the stats will reflect, but I believe in the rebounding stat. It shows up no matter what level you are at. It goes a long way to winning games.”
Doumbia averaged 4.3 points and 2.8 rebounds two years ago, helping Norfolk State go 22-11.
“I think he's going to be a high-level perimeter defender. He can defend most positions. And he's efficient offensively as well,” Sargent said.
“He's a perfect fit for what we want to add to our team. We want to improve our defense, be more athletic, be more versatile on defense and give us a different look. .”
The Raiders also received some good news on the roster when Andrew Werage reconsidered his decision to give up basketball and will take five years to become eligible.
The 6-6 wing averaged 5.1 points last season. Although his role diminished at the end of the year, he still led the team in 3-point shooting percentage at 45.2 percent, including 7-of-10 in a game in which he scored 25 points at Indiana University.
“Andrew and I have continued to have a dialogue throughout this process. … We said: 'The locker room is full of teammates who went to Wright State together and grew up together. We’ve got a year, we’ve got a lot more in the tank,” said Sargent.
“We knew that, but it didn't work until Andrew figured it out. But he was positive about everything, excited and rejuvenated.”
Sargent, who begins organized summer training on June 1, was able to retain two of his three early contract recruits.
Shelby forward Alex Bruskotter, Division II Ohio State Player of the Year, and Aiden Davis, Michigan's Division II All-State first team selection, kept their word.
Jaheem Weber, a 6-10 power forward from Normal, Illinois, will join former coach Scott Nagy at Southern Illinois in the Missouri Valley Conference.
“That whole process was very upfront and transparent. Valley is in the footprint of where he lives. Jaheem and his family have been great through it. Coach (Nagy) has been great through it. . . . I could see it coming,” said Sargent. He has two more scholarships available.
“Honestly, I think it makes sense for both the program and his family. That's the most important thing.”
