ROCHESTER, NY. – RIT Men's Basketball coach Dominic Parker announced the addition of eight new Tigers to the program, Wednesday afternoon.

Nigel Pierman, Jakob Harken, Christian Eziakor, Ethan Downey-Lamprey, Joey Harris and Xavier Nelson all join the Tigers as incoming freshmen in the class of 2029, while Jalen Godette and Muhsin Muhammad join the Tigers as transfer student-athletes.

"Our 2025 recruiting class is outstanding. With seven players graduating from last year's team, we have many spots to fill and leadership roles to turn over," said Parker. "Along with 10 highly motivated returners coming back from last season, we will welcome some athletic, high-potential incoming freshmen as well as some very talented transfers. These players succeed in the classroom and are all competitive, high-character people. I couldn't be happier about the additions to our Tigers program."

NIGEL PIERMAN // 6-7 FORWARD // BALA CYNWYD, PA // FRIENDS CENTRAL SCHOOL

• Three-year letter winner in basketball
• Ranked the state's 114th-overall prospect and ninth-best center in the PA (Prep Hoops)
• Intends to study business finance

Parker on Pierman: "Sometimes you just know a player fits in with your team, and Nigel is one of those guys. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and simply plays his tail off. Nigel has good footwork, and a very good skill set.  He can shoot the ball, rebound, and really has a high basketball IQ. Nigel best basketball is ahead of him. In the meantime, he is going to add some much-needed toughness and versatility to our roster."

JAKOB HARKEN // 6-4 GUARD // COLLEGEVILLE, PA // PERKIOMEN VALLEY HIGH

• Team Offensive Player of the Year
• First Team All-League & Two-time All-Area
• School and league record for points in a game (51)
• Graduate with Distinguished Honors--intends to study business finance

Parker on Harken: "Jakob is a gym rat and loves the process and the game of basketball. He is a gifted scorer who can really shoot it and has a good feel for the game.  He brings some needed length and shot making on the perimeter and with his work ethic I would not be surprised he has a fantastic college career here at RIT.  "
 
CHRISTIAN EZIAKOR // 6-7 FORWARD // ATLANTA, GA // DACULA HIGH SCHOOL

• Two-year letter winner in basketball
• All-Defensive team 6A Region 8
• Varsity Men's Basketball Scholar Athlete
• Intends to study software engineering

Parker on Eziakor: "Christian is a high-level athlete. The minute we saw him play; we knew his upside was off the charts. He has elite athleticism and will give us some much-needed rim protection we lacked last season. Christian hasn't been playing basketball long but I'm anxious to see him grow in our program. He is going to be a Tiger fans really appreciate watching."

ETHAN DOWNEY-LAMPREY // 6-7 FORWARD // NORWELL, MA // ST. PAUL'S SCHOOL

• 2022 South Shore League All-Star
• 2024 Hoop group National Champion
• Top-30 player in New Hampshire class of 2025
• Five-year Honor Roll Student
• Intends to study Biomedical engineering

Parker on Downey-Lamprey: "Our staff saw Ethan in action last summer and fell in love with his style of play. He is someone who at 6-7 can guard multiple positions on the court and is physically tough with a college-ready body. He shoots at a high percentage, and his length defensively is something you can't teach. In addition to his skill, Ethan is a guy that always wants to compete. As he gets comfortable at the college level, I truly believe he will be an all-league caliber player."
  
JOEY HARRIS // 6-5 FORWARD // WELLESLEY, MA // LAWRENCE ACADEMY

• 24-25 All NEPSAC Honorable Mention Honoree
• Intends to study Business Finance

Parker on Harris: " I had the pleasure of coaching Joey at an academic camp, and I fell in love with his motor. He is one of those guys who you hate playing against. He willl help our team tremendously with how hard he plays on both ends of the court and is one of those guys who will do whatever it takes to win. I'm excited to see Joey's development. "
 
XAVIER NELSON // 6-4 GUARD/FORWARD // RICHMOND, VA // STEWARD SCHOOL

• Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools Second-Team All-Conference as a junior, First-Team All-Conference as a senior
• 1,093 career points, 682 career rebounds
• SPC James Vawter Buis Athletic Scholarship recipient  
• Intends to study Civil engineering.

Parker on Nelson: "Xavier is going to immediately make a major impact on our program. He has the athletic ability and work ethic to be a plus player on both ends of the floor because of his toughness and can also defend multiple positions. Additionally, he is as good a person as he is talented on the basketball floor. As Xavier dedicates his effort toward his game, he is going to make huge strides in his development and will be an outstanding college player."
  
JALEN GODETTE // 7-0 FORWARD // LYCOMING COLLEGE // MONROVIA, MD // GLENELG COUNTRY SCHOOL

• Transferring to RIT after spending two years at Lycoming (Pa.) College
• Selected to the prestigious Round Ball Classic All-Star game
• Dean list all four semesters at Lycoming
• Intends to study astrophysics

Parker on Godette: "Jalen will be one of the tallest and biggest players in the Liberty League. He will give us some much-needed size and, with some development, has some great upside. I know he will get better working with Assistant Coach Mick Kuberka every day. Jalen is going to continue to improve and will be a valuable piece to our culture and program."

MUHSIN MUHAMMAD // 6-4 GUARD // MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY // PHILADELPHIA, PA // FRIENDS CENTRAL SCHOOL

• Comes to RIT after one year at Marymount
• Averaged 5.1 points and 2.3 rebounds in 22 appearances at Marymount.
• Three-time All-Friend League honoree
• Also a two-time All-Friend League track & field performer
• Two-time PAISAA All-State in basketball
• 1,400-point scorer in high school
• Intends to study computer science.

Parker on Muhammad: "'Moose' is going to immediately impact our program. With his athleticism, motor and experience, I can see him playing a big role next season. He has a chip on his shoulder, and I know he will fit in perfectly with our returners. He can really get downhill, and defend multiple positions. I am excited to add him to the roster. He has a chance to be a special player and someone fans are going to love watching.