'Ville men's basketball unveils class of newcomers
6/11/2025 1:34:00 PM | Men's Basketball
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By: Ethan Hulsey, Director of Athletic Communications
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MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - On the heels of a fourth consecutive season with at least 18 wins and another deep postseason run, the Millersville men's basketball team has announced the addition of five transfers and five freshmen to bolster the core of six returners.
Head coach Casey Stitzel and assistants Ryan Van Zelst and Kyle McGee pulled immediate-impact players from all three levels of NCAA basketball, including one from the PSAC East in Kutztown's Amir Cunningham and the returning Day Waters, who was a key player on Millersville's 2023 NCAA Tournament team before playing last season at Slippery Rock. Cesar Tchilombo is a 6-9 center from Northern Kentucky, Malcom Dread, whose father, Aaron, played basketball on the outstanding Millersville teams of the early 90's, is a 6-4 forward from Mount St. Mary's. E.J. Matthews-Spratley is an explosive scorer from Division III Stockton. The freshmen hail from four different states. The quintet includes: guard Jaylen Bernikow from Odessa High School in Middletown, Del.; guard Carnell Henderson from Philadelphia's Imhotep Institute Charter; forward Jase Holland from Ohio's Medina High School; guard Kyle Benjamin from St. Andrew's School in Rhode Island.; and wing Keith Jackson from William Allen High School in Allentown.
The class joins the only program in the PSAC East to reach the PSAC Semifinals in three of the last four seasons and is riding its most successful four-year stretch in 30 years. All-PSAC East forward Saraj Ali leads Millersville's returners. Aamir Hurst and Dante Weise both played all 31 games for the 2024-25 team, and Murray Grant, Ron Brown III and Ethan Benne are also back. Photo: NKU Athletic Communications Cesar Tchilombo
F | 6-9 | 215 | RJr.
Previous School: Northern Kentucky About Tchilombo: Hailing from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tchilombo played his high school basketball at John Carroll where he was Maryland's No. 5-ranked post player and No. 23 overall player according to Prep Hoops in 2022. He was named All-Baltimore Catholic League Honorable Mention, All-MIAA and All-Hartford County First Team. Tchilombo earned defensive MVP honors at the All-Hoop Group Showcase League. He landed in the Division I ranks at Northern Kentucky, a team that reached the NCAA Tournament in 2023. He redshirted in year one and then played 41 games the last two seasons. Stitzel's Scouting Report: "Cesar brings a rare combination of size, athleticism, and defensive instincts that immediately raise our level on that end of the floor. He's a high-impact rim protector with a motor that fits perfectly into our program. With his background competing at a high level, we're excited about the physical presence and offensive versatility he will bring with him. Cesar adds to the long line of successful two-way forwards we have been blessed to have over the last six years." Photo: SRU Athletic Communications Day Waters G | 6-4 | 200 | Sr. Previous School: Slippery Rock About Waters: Waters was a 3-point sniper and strong wing defender for the 24-win Marauders in 2023-24, averaging 32.5 minutes and 12.9 points per game. He went westward for the 2024-25 season and averaged 13.0 points per game while shooting 36.3% from deep. Waters is a defensive athlete of the week award winner in both the PSAC East and PSAC West and enters his final season with a shot at 1,000 points and 500 rebounds. Stitzel's Scouting Report: "Having Day back in the program is big time for us. He has been a very productive player in the PSAC for years, but more importantly, you can't measure the impact he will have as a leader. Day understands what this program is about, and with that knowledge and his ability to shoot and defend, I couldn't be more excited to have him back." Photo: Mount St. Mary's
Athletic Communications Malcolm Dread F | 6-4 | 210 | Fifth-Year Sr. Previous School: Mt. Saint Mary's About Dread: While he played high school basketball in Washington, D.C., it is a homecoming for Dread. His father played the 1991-94 seasons for the Marauders, starting 13 games on the '94 team that reached the NCAA Tournament. Malcolm has carried on that winning tradition as part of successful programs. He helped Mount St. Mary's to a MAAC Championship last season, scoring seven points in the semifinals. He started his career at Richmond and was formerly the No. 2 recruit in D.C., according to 247Sports.com. Stitzel's Scouting Report: "Malcolm is a winner. He brings toughness, shooting, experience, and a high basketball IQ that immediately elevates our locker room. Coming from a championship program, he knows what it takes to compete at a high level, and we're excited about the edge and versatility he adds to our front court." Photo: Capture the Moment (Instagram) Amir Cunningham
F | 6-6 | 215 | Jr.
Previous School: Kutztown About Cunningham: With Matt Dade and Saraj Ali as a template, Millersville brought in another forward from an in-division rival. Cunningham already has 39 career starts under his belt, averaging 10.7 points and 6.1 rebounds as a freshman and then 9.1 points and 5.0 rebounds per game as a sophomore. He's shown the ability to rebound and score in bunches, scoring 20-plus against West Chester and East Stroudsburg late last season and dropping 33 against Bloomsburg. Stitzel's Scouting Report: "Coming from a fellow PSAC East institution, Amir has a lot of familiarity with our program. We have witnessed Amir be a match-up problem for the past two years, and we are excited to add his versatility to our front court. He has the gift of scoring the basketball, but at the same time, he understands how to get others involved." Photo: Danna Urias E.J. Matthews-Spratley
G | 6-2 | 175 | Sr.
Previous School: Stockton University About Matthews-Spratley: An elite shooter and scorer, Matthew-Spratley led Stockton to the NCAA Division III Tournament in 2024-25, setting a program record with 22.9 points per game. He was named All-NJAC, All-ECAC and NABC All-District while landing on the Bevo Francis Award Watchlist. He ranked second in the nation in 3-pointer attempts per game and seventh in free throws, scoring 41 points against Gettysburg. Stitzel's Scouting Report: "E.J. is a dynamic playmaker with a proven ability to produce at a high level. He brings toughness, maturity, and a relentless competitive edge to our back court. Coming off an incredible year filled with accolades at Stockton, E.J. was one of the best shooters in one of the best Division III conferences in the country, and we're confident he'll bring that same energy and impact to Millersville from day one."
Jaylen Bernikow
G | 6-2 | 175 | Fr. Previous School: Odessa High School (Middletown, Del.) About Bernikow: A speedy guard who can handle the point and play off the ball, Bernikow can attack the basket, shoot from distance and create for his teammates. He earned DSBA All-State First Team and All-Blue Hen Flight A First Team honors in 2024-25. Odessa named him the team's offensive MVP, and he won the Odessa High School Distinguished Athlete Award Stitzel's Scouting Report: "Jaylen has a relentless work ethic and a scorer's mentality. He had a standout high school career and brings a competitive edge and confidence that we really value in our program. His ability to create offense and impact the game on both ends of the floor is something we are very excited about."
Carnell Henderson G | 6-3 | 180 | Fr. Previous School: Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia, Pa.) About Henderson: A slashing combo guard with great length, Henderson led Imhotep Charter to a 26-6 record, a 13-0 league record, and a trip to the PIAA 6A state semifinals. He landed All-Public League First Team honors and won the Public League All-Star Game MVP award. Stitzel's Scouting Report: "Carnell has done a lot of winning during his years as Imhotep. He has earned everything he has gotten during his scholastic years, and we know that will translate at the college level. His ability to shoot the ball and defend multiple positions brings instant value to our program. At the same time, he is only scratching the surface of who he could be as a player."
Jase Holland
F | 6-8 | 210 | Fr. Previous School: Medina High School (Medina, Ohio) About Holland: At 6-8, Holland has outstanding length as a defender and post player, but plays like a wing with the ability to handle the ball and shoot the three. He earned All-Greater Cleveland Conference First Team honors and was named to the Northeast Inland District Second Team as a senior. Holland was also the Medina High School Offensive MVP. Stitzel's Scouting Report: "Jase has a ton of upside. He can play inside and outside. We are very excited to see what Jase will look like after he starts working in our strength program. He competes at a very high level, and that will instantly transfer from high school to college. In addition, he played in a big-time high school league that will have him prepared for when he arrives on campus."
Kyle Benjamin G | 6-5 |180 | Fr. Previous School: St. Andrew's School (Braintree, Mass.) About Benjamin: Benjamin attended prep school in Rhode Island and showcased his ability to score at all levels, earning All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention honors and landing the rank of the No. 4 recruit in Rhode Island according to the New England Recruiting Report. Benjamin produced a 52-point game against Worcester Academy, which won the AA championship. Stitzel's Scouting Report: "Kyle has a natural ability to score the basketball. A very high IQ player, his ability to shoot it with positional size makes him very difficult to guard. In addition, prepping and playing at The St. Andrew's School, which plays in one of the best leagues in the country, will only make his adjustment to the college game easier."
Keith Jackson G | 6-5 | 175 | Fr. Previous School: William Allen High School (Allentown, Pa.) About Jackson: Jackson exhibited the ability to score and use his length to rebound and defend playing for William Allen. He scored 31 points against Pocono Mountain West to get his team into the district playoffs, a performance that earned him the EPC Moment of the Year. He was a Morning Call Player of the Week honoree and an All-EPC Second Team selection. He also landed on the Lehigh Valley Classic All-Star Team. Stitzel's Scouting Report: "Keith really showed flashes throughout his senior year. He can shoot the basketball and has played in some very competitive high school games. With the addition of strength, we feel his game can get to another level."
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