San Jose State University Coach Tim Miles recently filled the NCAA maximum limit of 13 student-athletes on scholarship so let's take a look at who is on hand and try some serious guesstimating on how and where they will perform.
As best as we could compile, the following names are high school and community college players SJSU either had interest in at one point or actually offered at one point. This list is not complete but these scholarship offerings information entered the public domain and was captured. If known, I note the school each prospect selected.
2024 SJSU RECRUITING
PG
- Jermaine Washington (signed) A promising prospect but he is a freshman and Miles isn't going to turn his offense over to a neophyte. He'll play some with the idea of getting experience for his sophomore campaign.
- Tyler Bailey (East Carolina University)
- Martin Somerville unsigned
SG
- Ben Roseborough (signed) The best prospect the Spartans have ever signed—he'll be a starter from day one and the leading scorer this season at around 20 points per game. Check to see if Miles positions him at the point even though he'll take more shots than any other Spartan this coming season. Roseborough can create with the ball but would having to play with more the mind set of a one diminish his offensive skills?
- Cameron Patterson (signed) Like Washington, another talent from the high school ranks. If he can consistently hit the three ball, he'll get playing time. Otherwise, it's wait until his second year.
- Donovan Yap Jr. (signed) Others have written that Yap will play the point for Miles but he has been underwater the last two years at Fresno State with more turnovers than assists so his positioning at the one spot doesn't process in my brain. Maybe he was inappropriately utilized with the Bulldogs or maybe Coach Miles is simply going to have him bring the ball up and then get the other four players into the various offensive sets and schemes, and not necessarily be utilized as a playmaker, say a penetrator who will draw in defenders and kick the ball out to an open teammate. We'll see. There has to be a reason Miles didn't sign an experienced point guard from the transfer portal after losing his starting point.
- Will McClendon (signed) This guy could be a candidate at the point (a 35-17 assist-to-turnover ratio this season, 22-5 the season before) but he's never played as a one. Plus, he has also never been a skilled shooter thus far in college and that deficiency isn't likely to change at this point. Defense could be his calling card and the Spartans need more of that element.
- Josh Uduje (signed) Mostly a guard thus far, he can also be positioned as a wing at 6-foot-5 but he weighs just 190. Look for him to be the second or third leading scorer on the team. He scored in double figures for Coastal Carolina two years ago.
- Javonte Campbell (Bowling Green) A JC talent, the 6-foot-2 Campbell was offered but recently committed to staying in the Midwest. His offensive prowess would have helped. Offered in mid-January 2024.
- Keitenn Bristow (Tarleton State) A wing/two guard at 6-foot-7, he tripped to Sparta in late January but recently decided to remain in Texas with Tarleton State his college choice. A promising offensive talent. Offered in late July 2023.
- Malik Olafioye (Eastern Illinois) A 6-foot-3 guard and a Michigan native, this miss hurts because he would have really helped the SJSU backcourt. But he also chose to remain in the Midwest. He signed with Eastern Ilinois. It appears he was offered in early May 2023.
- Olafioye and Campbell would have been very solid guard gets and immediate backcourt help.
SF
- Sadaidriene Hall (signed) At 6-foot-5, 210, he'll start at the three spot and end up as the second or third leading scorer this coming season. A very solid pickup by Miles and an undercredited signing.
- Travis Torain unsigned
- Lewis Walker (Mass) SJSU was never really in the running. Playing in North Carolina, he stayed on the East Coast. Offered August 2023.
- Jae'Coby Osborne (New Mexico State) SJSU was really in the running.
- Hudson Ward (Penn State) SJSU was never really in the running.
PF
- Sadraque NgaNga 6-foot-10, 220 (signed) Not sure what to expect here as he hasn't produced any positives both in his initial year at Boise State nor this season at Seton Hall. He may possess a decent degree of shooting ability. Let's see what Miles can do with this young man.
- Thomas Tut (Southeastern Louisiana) SJSU offered and seemingly really wanted this young man. He is out of the Kansas community college ranks and chose to head to Louisiana. Offered in mid-January 2024.
- Damion Pouncil (Cal State Los Angeles) He recently committed at the D2 level. SJSU offered in May 2023
- Malick Diallo (TCU) The Spartans were never in the running. Offered in mid-July 2023.
C
- Chol Marial 7-foot-2 235 (signed) He's obviously tall and weighs 235 so SJSU shouldn't be pounded on inside the paint like this past season. Marial's offensive numbers aren't overly impressive and, considering he'll be playing his final year of eligibility, how much improvement can be generated there? 31 blocked shots in 360 minutes also needs to be bettered as does his altering shot attempts inside.
- Tuscan Onuoha - Interest but no offer for the 6-foot-10, 240 recruit.
- Tallis Toure (Stanford) SJSU was interested early on but never offered—SJSU could have locked him up if that was their goal. We'll find out if the choice of NgaNga over the 6-foot-11 Toure was the correct one.
- Junior Sileu (Central Michigan) Offered late July 2023 but chose to head elsewhere. Why Central Michigan? (sorry Chippewa fans)
- Barron Smith Jr. East Carolina University) Offered in late June 2023 but Spartan interest seemingly waned for the 6-foot-9 prepster as time went on.
- Chol Machot (Mississippi State) Offered in early May 2023, he really improved over the past year and the Spartans were never really in the running.
- Trent Burns (Missouri) Offered June 29, 2023 but he never visited.
- Anton Bonke (Providence) Offered in November 2023, once he became fairly known he signed quickly with Providence for the spring semester.
The 2024-25 San Jose State University Roster (in order by height)
RETURNEES
- Adrame Diongue - 7-foot, 190 junior (high school: Arizona Compass Prep)
- Robert Vaihola - 6-foot-8, 260 redshirt junior
- Pasha Goodarzi 6-foot-3, 190 redshirt freshman
- Latrell Davis - 6-foot-2, 190 sophomore
NEWCOMERS
- Chol Marial 7-foot-2 235 senior (high school: Arizona Compass Prep)
- Sadraque NgaNga 6-foot-10 220 (high school: Arizona Compass Prep)
- Sadaidriene Hall 6-foot-5 210
- Josh Uduje 6-foot-5 190 (high school: Arizona Compass Prep)
- Donovan Yap Jr. 6-foot-5 180
- Ben Roseborough 6-foot-4
- Cameron Patterson 6-foot-4 175
- Will McClendon 6-foot-3 205
- Jermaine Washington 6-foot-2 170
Credit Assistant Coach Ed Gipson for the four players (three bigs) from Arizona Compass Prep being on the roster. He is the former head coach at ACP. Give that man a raise.
OUTLOOK - QUESTIONS & GUESSES
Ben Roseborough is likely a one-and-done with Spartaville. My sense is he'll be offered very attractive NIL $$$ after his freshman season, he'll bite and who can blame him? Hopefully, his foot ailments are now in the past but it's likely his minutes in practice will be monitored. He is likely enrolled this summer and gaining a sense of how he will be utilized and of the Spartan offensive and defensive schemes. I still say the team lacks a ready-to-contribute talent set to play heavy minutes at the point so look for Coach Miles to position Roseborough there.
Newcomer Donovan Yap Jr. finished last season with 47 assists and 49 turnovers, 38 to 40 his previous year so it's difficult to picture him running the offense for major minutes.
7-foot, 190 Adam Diongue will be a backup if he fails to add weight and strength this summer. It's likely he could play some at the four if he can extend his shooting range. He is a shotblocker but generally not belly to belly against his opponent, more the type of coming over to block the shot of another opponent penetrating inside. Last season, he rejected 38 shots in 420 minutes.
7-foot-2, 235 Chol Marial blocked 31 in 360 minutes with Oregon State but has the strength to maintain defensive position in the paint, an element missing for SJSU last season. But keep in mind that Marial started just nine of 31 games last season and also shot just 37% overall. Dramatic improvement is needed from him, too.
6-foot-8, 260 Robert Vaihola is the likely power forward starter and he missed the season with a foot injury but hopefully is healthy again and able to play major minutes. In his sophomore season, he played in 35 games at 20 minutes a contest and averaged 7.6 points, shooting 71% overall and 57% at the foul line while grabbing 6.5 rebounds a contest. Half of his boards came on the offensive end.
Newcomer 6-foot-10 220 Sadraque NgaNga is another power forward candidate and appeared in 19 games, playing 131 minutes for Seton Hall last season. He attended Boise State the year before and has yet to make any sort of a dent in the stat sheet. His SH offensive numbers were woeful: 26% overall shooting, 11% on trey attempts. Lots of work is needed this summer and fall before he's ready to get on the court for serious minutes.
On the wing, it appears Stephen F. Austin newcomer Sadaidriene Hall has the position locked up. He is known for scoring at the rim, posting up in the paint and film shows him seemingly preferring contact before releasing his shot. He rebounds well, is also a solid passer but not much of a three-point shooter, so it will be interesting to see how he performs alongside a 7-foot center and a burly power forward who both like to have their feet in the paint.
Utah State transfer Josh Uduje may also play some on the wing but his 28% shooting from long distance indicates he needs to position himself closer to the basket. Uduje won Sixth Man of the Year in the Mountain West Conference last season positioned as a guard so it's likely he'll play the same role and position here. He did make 10 starts and averaged 24.0 minutes an outing. 6-foot-5 Donovan Yap Jr. has the height for a wing. He started 12 of 26 games for Fresno State last season, for 22 minutes per contest. But his excellent size for a backcourter may be more useful matched up in the backcourt against smaller opponents.
There are a multitude of candidates at shooting guard. Besides Roseborough, Uduje and Yap Jr. who will take most of the minutes, freshman Cam Patterson will get some court time but certainly won't be counted on to consistently perform. Redshirt frosh Pasha Goodarzi is another season away from being any sort of a contributor. He possesses excellent shooting form and could surprise but it's the other aspects of the game in which he needs to demonstrate competencies. The darkhorse here is 6-foot-2 powerfully built sophomore Latrell Davis who needs to upgrade his distance shooting. But he earned 60 free throw attempts in 14 minutes a contest, shot a sparkling 51% overall but just 30% on treys and 65% at the foul line. His forte is taking the ball to the hoop.
At the point is another freshman in Jermaine Washington. Like with Patterson 2024-25 will be a learning season for him with the intent to prepare him for much more as a sophomore.
6-foot-3 UCLA junior transfer Will McClendon could be a wildcard. Thus far, he has yet to demonstrate in his two years of college ball the ability to shoot a quality percentage overall (a tad higher at the three ball than the the two) but has maintained a very solid assist-to-turnover ratio in both of his years with the Bruins albeit not in major minutes (33 games, four starts and 21.0 minutes a night). He just might be able to take over the point position. He will be the best defender in the backcourt for SJSU, another component in need of an upgrade.
Where will the scoring power come from this season for the Spartans? It will be Roseborough, Hall, Uduje and likely Davis and Yap then Vaihola doing the vast majority of the scoring.
How much better will SJSU be defensively this season? Marial will help with some blocks and also just by being a presence in the middle. Diongue will likely be more effective at the four where he can come over to help rather than take a burly opponent straight on. Hall and Uduje on the wing need to provide some defensive effect as do all of the guards. Yap has intriguing defensive possibilities due to his size in the backcourt as does McClendon.
What is the NIL effect on SJSU mens basketball recruiting? There are no NIL funds of any decent amount to throw at transfers so SJSU has to approach guys who aren't producing elsewhere, need to move on and won't command any funds. That's with the hope that Miles and Company can coach a few of the many newcomers up.
I would be amiss without writing about the subject of leadership. It may be unfair but freshman Ben Roseborough will be the best Spartan player so it is incumbent on him to fill the role of leader, named or unnamed as a captain. Robert Vaihola can help. Roseborough's DNA is antithetic to losing, he doesn't play on losing teams and losing is personally unacceptable to him. He both wants and needs to win. His numbers will be impressive but he also must set a standard and a tone utilizing the best of spoken and demonstrated leadership. That always doing the right thing and then some extra must become the team norm. Such behaviour is a critical hallmark of being a winner. Becoming emblematic of the San Jose State/Tim Miles Way will be the foremost task Roseborough faces. He will step forward. It is incumbent on others to follow his lead regardless of rank.
Finally, taking a stab at SJSU's season record in 2024-2025 is next to impossible considering other Mountain West Conference team rosters are still being finalized. But the Spartans as a team will be more competitive than last season's version. That's a given.