UMass Hoops Announces 8 Signees
Via Massachusetts Athletics
AMHERST, Mass. -- University of Massachusetts basketball officially signed eight members to the incoming 2025 class, Head Coach Frank Martin announced Wednesday. Bilal Osman, Donovan Brown, K'jei Parker, Charles Outlaw, Dimitri Clerc, Leonardo Bettiol, Isaiah Placide and Dwayne Wimbley Jr. join Danny Carbuccia as part of an incoming class ranked top 60 nationally, according to 247sports.com
"As we all better understand what spring recruiting has become, I am super excited about what our staff has been able to do in a short window of time," said Martin. "We have found successful players that all have a common trait of winning and appear to be a great fit for who we are at UMass. Very excited to take the court with these guys and enthusiastic for their commitment to growth and doing things in a way that represents the Massachusetts jersey in a strong, powerful and consistent way."
A 6-foot-8 forward, Bilal Osman joins the Minutemen out of Elite Sports Academy in Tacoma, Washington. The Stockholm, Sweden native came to the United States two years ago and features high-level shooting at his size. Osman chose UMass over offers from Arizona State and Long Island.
"Bilal is a young man that not too many people knew about because his transition to this country," Martin remarked. "Luckily for us we identified him, he is a 6-foot-8 scorer who can really shoot the basketball and understands how to make plays on offense for others."
A Bolingbrook, Illinois Donovan Brown heads to Amherst after spending the 2024-25 campaign at Florida Tech. The 6-foot-2 guard averaged a team high 20.7 points per game, including 23.0 points against Division I opponents. Brown led the Panthers in points (538), assists (88), field goals made (186) and free throws made (117) over 26 games last season. A consistent scorer, Brown totaled 15 games with 20-plus points and seven shooting over 50 percent from the field.
"Donovan is a great story of what college athletics should be all about," said Martin. "He has always been on winning teams up until this past season and his growth is what college athletics is all about. We fully expect him to take another step as he continues to show his leadership and excellent work ethic to build on the great season he had this past year at Florida Tech."
A Lakeland, Florida native K'Jei Parker joins the Minutemen after starting 29 games at Florida Southwestern State a season ago. The 6-foot-1 big guard averaged 16.8 points per game while shooting 43.3 percent from the field. Starting his career at Florida A&M, Parker averaged 6.6 points and 2.8 assists over 29 games including 26 starts for the Rattlers.
"K'jei is your typical under recruited player from Florida and had an outstanding season as a lead guard at Florida Southwestern," stated Martin. "He will bring unbelievable passing and shot making ability and along with Donovan [Brown], he will give us tremendous leadership at the guard position."
A 6-foot-9 forward, Charles Outlaw makes his way to Massachusetts by way of Trinity Valley Community College. The Orlando, Florida native started all 37 games, averaging 4.5 points on 73.3 percent shooting for the NJCAA DI National Champions. The son of former NBA player Bo Outlaw, he also played a season at Mineral Area Community.
"Charles or CJ, as we know him, started playing organized basketball just three years," said Martin. "He has continued to grow and possesses great hands, a terrific motor and brings a great attitude as was evident in his run as a starter with Trinity Valley during their national championship season."
A Geneva, Switzerland native Dmitri Clerc joins Massachusetts by way of Pensacola State College. The 6-foot-10 forward started all 34 games a season ago, averaging 11.0 points and 7.2 rebounds on 58.9 percent shooting from the field. Receiving NJCAA Division I Honorable Mention All-American and First Team All-Region honors, Clerc is ranked as a top-100 Juco recruit.
"Dmitri or as we will know him, ghost, brings a sense of physicality that is much needed in the game of basketball," Martin stated. "He understands how to defend and score in the low post and like the other incomers he has taken a path of improvement to where he is now, his better days continue to be ahead of him."
A 6-foot-8 forward Leonardo Bettiol comes to Amherst after three seasons at Abilene Christian University. The Roncade, Italy native played 86 games, making 54 starts for the Wildcats. Bettiol joins the Minutemen fresh off his most productive collegiate season, averaging 12.7 points and 3.9 rebounds on 51.6 percent shooting over 33 games.
"As we were looking for scoring from our frontline Leonardo became interested in us," remarked Martin. "Our staff once again identified someone who has continued to grow and is now prepared to take on the challenge of helping us at UMass. He is multi-talented big man who can score, pass and defend in multiple ways."
A Hampton, Georgia native Isaiah Placide joins the maroon and white after two seasons at Eckerd College. The 6-foot-4 guard served as a productive three-level scorer for the Tritons, averaging 17.8 points on 40.6 percent including 37.5 percent from three-point range over 57 games.
"Isaiah brings in an adult mentality on the perimeter with a very good offensive game," Martin said. "He also is an elite shot maker who understands how to play off the bounce. His shot making and talent will be welcomed as we look to regain our place as UMass basketball."
A Fort Lauderdale, Florida native Dwayne Wimbley Jr. enters his time in Amherst as a four-star recruit out of St. Thomas Aquinas high school. The 6-foot-6 forward was named All-Broward Class 5A-7A Player of the Year after leading his team to its first State Championship since 2001. Rated a top-150 player and top-35 power forward nationally, Wimbley Jr. chose the Minutemen over offers from Florida State, FIU, Florida Gulf Coast among others.
"Dwayne or DJ is someone who led his high school team to a state championship while also being a supporting player on an unbelievable AAU team and understands both dynamics," Martin remarked. "He will bring a combination of size athleticism and skill that our team needs as we move into next season."
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Can’t wait to see this group come together and win a lot of games!!!