LAKE CHARLES – McNeese Cowboys basketball head coach John Aiken has announced the signing of three players on Wednesday, the first day of the signing period, and expects to sign four more players over the coming weeks.
 
The Cowboys inked sophomore transfer guard Rashad Bolden from Southern Mississippi, sophomore transfer forward Robert Berze out of Eastern Florida State College, and Donovan Oday from Mansfield Timberview High School in Arlington, Texas.
 
"One thing we prioritized in this class is to recruit winners, and that's what we've done," said Aiken. "These players are relentless workers, have great (basketball) IQs and will help us establish what we're building here and that's winning.
 
"We plan to sign more players over the next few days and weeks as we bring guys in on visits. The most important thing for me in this class has been recruiting dependable guys that are known to work and have a track record of winning. We will continue to recruit quality young men that will help grow our culture and ultimately bring championships back to Lake Charles."

Robert Berze • F • 6-6 • 200 • Soph.-TR • Eastern Fla. • Sigulda, Latvia • Rigas Hanzas Vidusskola
 
Aiken on Berze: "Robert is a bigger wing that can slide to the 4 in a small ball lineup. He can really shoot it, has a great IQ, and really fits modern day offensive basketball. He is a relentless worker and will help us continue to establish a culture of dependability and work."
 
At Eastern Florida State: 1^st Team All-Central Conference… a second-year freshman, averaged 11.1 points in 31 games played (30 starts)… knocked down 37 percent from three-point range… sank 84 percent at the free throw line and 40 percent overall from the field… pulled in 3.9 rebounds and dished out 1.4 assists per game… scored in double-digits 18 times and had 20 or more points twice… 29 points against Miami Dade College and two days later, scored 27 in a win over ASA Brooklyn Avengers… had season-high 10 rebounds to go along with 10 points for his lone double-double of the season in a win over St. Petersburg College… helped lead team to a 22-9 record and 12-3 conference mark… in two seasons at EFSC, appeared in 53 games making 32 starts.
 
Rashad Bolden • G • 6-0 • 168 • Soph.-TR • Southern Miss. • Jackson, Miss. • St. Andrew's
 
Aiken on Bolden: "Rashad is a guy that I've followed for a long time. He's a three-time state champion. Anyone that has been around Rashad just raves about who he is as a young man and how he impacts those around him. He'll bring us some experience at the point guard position and also has the ability to score the ball. We are excited to have him for the next three years and add to our very strong sophomore group."
 
At Southern Miss: CUSA All-Freshman Team… Appeared in 33 games making 30 starts as a true freshman… averaged 6.8 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game… averaged 26.8 minutes per game… sank 36 percent from the field, 29 percent from 3-point range and 81 percent at the free throw line… scored double-figures eight times with a high of 29 points in a win over UNCW where he connected on 11 of 12 from the field, 5 of 6 from long range and 2-2 at the line… season-high six assists vs. UTEP… came off the bench the first three games of the season then started the next 30.
 
High School: Three-time state champion at St. Andrew's...Dropped a game-high 23 points in the 2021 State Championship game...Averaged 25.1 ppg, 6.5 rebounds and four assists as a sophomore...A two-time Dandy Dozen at St. Andrew's...Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Game MVP...North/South Game MVP...Two-time First-Team All-State member.

Personal: Born in Jackson, Miss...Prepped at St. Andrew's in Jackson...Father, Randy, was a two-time SWAC Player of the Year at Texas Southern and played professionally in Brazil, Iceland and Canada.
 
Donovan Oday • G • 6-3 • 175 • Fr.-HS • Arlington, Texas • Mansfield Timberview HS
 
Aiken on Oday: "Donovan is a guy that we identified last summer and followed him through his senior year. He's a winner. He's a two-time state champion in Texas with a third championship game appearance this past season. He's a versatile, athletic player and is going to develop into a guy that can play all three perimeter spots for us. He has a very composed demeanor."
 
At Mansfield Timberview HS: 1^st Team All-District 8-5A… UIL 5A Region 1 Regional All-Tournament… UIL 5A State Tournament All-Tournament… TABC 5A All-Region… TABC 5A All-State… helped guide his team to a 36-5 overall record and a district title mark of 14-1.