The 2024-25 Tennessee State men’s basketball team features an exciting blend of talent and versatility, setting the stage for a dynamic season under seventh-year head coach Brian “Penny” Collins. As the team gears up for the upcoming campaign, Collins is eager to experiment with various lineup combinations and playing styles.
GUARDS
Justus Jackson joins the Tigers as a seasoned veteran with experience at Hawaii and UT Martin. The 6’1” guard has played in 59 games, with 39 appearances at Hawaii, where he scored 109 points. At UT Martin, he averaged 7.0 points per game, highlighted by a season-high 18 points in the 2023 opener against Champion Christian and reached double figures in seven games. As a team captain, Jackson’s leadership and OVC experience will be crucial to the Tigers’ success this season.
Aaron Nkrumah, the reigning MASCAC Player of the Year, joins TSU after two standout seasons at the NCAA DIII level. Nkrumah averaged 16.9 points per game, with 199 rebounds and 68 steals, earning him an NABC DIII All-Region First Team and D3.com Region 1 Second Team selection. Now a junior at TSU, Nkrumah is expected to be a vital contributor, bringing offensive skills and defensive prowess.
Brandon Weston, a versatile 6’5” guard from Brooklyn, N.Y., has two years of eligibility remaining and experience from Seton Hall and Rhode Island, where he played in 59 games with 10 starts. Last season, Weston averaged 5.4 points per game, with five double-figure performances, including a season-high 17 points against Johnson & Wales. A former four-star recruit and top-100 player, Weston’s size, athleticism, and defensive ability have Coach Collins anticipating him as an elite defender in the OVC, set to make a significant impact.
Khalil London joins the Tigers after a successful two-year stint at the College of Charleston, where he played a key role in helping the Cougars reach the NCAA Tournament twice. The New York native was named a team captain, bringing valuable depth to the Tigers’ backcourt.
Travis Harper II, a standout from NCAA DII Clayton State, joins the Tigers after an impressive sophomore season, where he averaged 17.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, setting a school record with 163 defensive rebounds. Harper reached double digits in 26 of 27 games, including eight 20-plus-point performances.
Knute Wood, the only returning player from last season, now serves as a team captain, bringing essential leadership to this year’s squad. After redshirting his freshman year, Wood appeared in 25 games last season as a reserve guard.
Maddux Bodenhamer, a promising freshman and local talent from Antioch High School, rounds out the backcourt. Bodenhamer ranked No. 31 in Tennessee in assists per game (4.4) and averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game.
FORWARDS
Ahmir Langlais, a versatile forward, joins the Tigers with experience from Western Carolina and USC Upstate. Known for his athleticism, Langlais brings valuable experience and is expected to contribute significantly in scoring and rebounding.
Carlous Williams, a 6’5” forward from Hattiesburg, Miss., adds depth to the roster after stints at Pearl River Community College and Tulsa. Named first-team all-conference at Pearl River, where he averaged
16.5 points and 6.7 rebounds, Williams brings an aggressive playing style to strengthen the Tigers’ presence inside.
Josh Ogundele, a towering seven-footer from London, England, joins TSU after a season at Middle Tennessee State, following time at Iowa. A former Great Britain National Team player, Ogundele’s athleticism and aggressive playing style make him a dynamic force expected to impact the Tigers’ OVC performance.
Antoine Lorick, a 6’7” forward from Augusta, Ga., joins from Navarro Junior College, where he established himself as one of the top JUCO players, averaging 10.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Lorick’s athleticism and high shooting percentage will bolster the Tigers’ offense.
JC Brooks, a 6’10” forward from Calgary who previously played at Orangeville Prep, and Louis Daoust, a 6’7” forward from Montreal with experience at NCAA DII The College of Saint Rose, will both vie for playing time in the frontcourt, adding valuable depth and size to the Tigers’ lineup.