KANSAS CITY – Kansas City Men’s Basketball has officially announced its 2024 recruiting class, bringing in seven fresh faces to the roster for the 2024-25 season. The class is headlined by four community college transfers, including NJCAA DI Honorable Mention All-American, Davonte Hall. In addition, Gob Gob, Kasheem Grady II and Josh Ijeh will join the Roos from two-year schools. Two true freshmen will join the roster, with Arizona 6A Offensive Player of the Year Ring Nyeri and Benton Harmony Grove product Blake Ammons bolstering the bunch. UTRGV transfer David Oyona Ibandzo rounds out the group of seven.
Blake Ammons | 6’10 | Forward | Bryant, Ark. | Benton Harmony Grove
High School/Club: Posted averages of 13 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks per game … Played prep year at Phhoenix Prep … Named All-State and All-District … One-time Saline County Player of the Week … Participated in FCA Texas vs. Arkansas All-Star game … Won conference championship … District runner-up … Also played baseball … Played club ball with All-Arkansas Red
Personal: Born May 7, 2005 in Bryant … Son of Pat and April Ammons … Has one sibling, Ryan … Favorite food is Cajun food … Enjoys hunting and fishing … Undecided on major
Why Kansas City?: “The coaches and players made me feel at home and made me feel like I belong here.”
Gob Gob | 6’3 | Point Guard | Manchester, N.H. | Manchester West HS | Hill College
2023-24 (Hill College): First Team All-NTJCAC … Played and started in 29 games … Averaged 12.5 points, 3.9 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game … Scored in double digits 20 times, including six 20-point games … Went for 16 points, nine assists and four steals in win over Strength ‘N Motion on Nov. 10 … Posted 13 points, six rebounds and seven assists against Victoria on Nov. 14 … Scored 20 points against Grayson on Jan. 17, followed by a 22-point outing against Southwestern Christian on Jan. 24 … Scored in double digits in nine-straight games to end the season … Scored 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting against McLennan CC on Feb. 19 … Scored 16 points, adding four assists in win at Temple College on Mar. 2
2022-23 (Hill College): Played and started in 30 games … Averaged 11.3 points, 3.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game … Scored in double digits 16 times … Went for 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting, adding five assists in win over Our Lady of Lakes on Nov. 5 … Went for 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting in win over Dallas-Richland on Nov. 12 … Dropped 20 points to go with five rebounds and four assists in win at Northern Oklahoma Enid on Dec. 2 … Scored nine points and dished out nine assists in win over CYM on Jan. 6 … Went for 17 points, adding five rebounds in win at Southwestern Christian on Jan. 23 … Went for 18 points and five rebounds in win at McLennan on Feb. 8
High School/Club: Played at Manchester West HS and Minnesota Prep … Played club ball for Gain Elite Minnesota
Personal: Born June 10, 2002 in Manchester … Son of Emmanuel Gob and Angier Ajak … Has three siblings: Alexis, Kokrin and Ayak … Participated in Boys and Girls Club in High School … Can also speak Arabic and Dinka … Intends to major in business administration
Why Kansas City?: “I chose Kansas City because it felt like the best fit for me, on and off the court. It felt like a family when I visited campus.”
Kasheem Grady II | 6’5 | Shooting Guard | Atlanta, Ga. | Mount Pisgah HS | Howard College | Florida Manatee-Sarasota
2023-24 (Howard College): Appeared in 30 games, starting 28 … Averaged 14.4 points on 46.0% shooting, adding 5.1 rebounds per game … Scored in double digits 22 times, including seven 20-point games … Went for 35 points on 10-of-16 shooting, knocking down six threes in win over Ranger on Nov. 2 … Scored 12 points, adding eight points and four assists in win over Temple College on Nov. 21 … Dropped 18 points in win over Cochise on Dec. 1 … Scored 21 points and pulled down six rebounds at Midland on Jan. 11 … Notched 11 points and nine rebounds in win over New Mexico JC on Jan. 18 … Dropped 26 points on 10-of-16 shooting against Western Texas on Jan. 25 … Scored 10 points and pulled down eight rebounds against Midland on Feb. 12 … Dropped 27 points with 4-of-7 three-point shooting against New Mexico JC on Feb. 19
2022-23 (Florida Manatee-Sarasota): Appeared in 26 games, making one start … Averaged 8.0 points and 3.2 rebounds per game … Scored 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting, adding six rebounds in win over St. Petersburg on Nov. 16 … Went for 14 points, three rebounds, two assists and two blocks against Chipola on Dec. 30 … Scored in double digits in three-straight games from Jan. 21 through Feb. 1 … Scored 15 points and pulled down seven rebounds at Florida Southwestern State on Feb. 16
High School/Club: Played at Mount Pisgah HS, winning a state championship … Played club ball for Atlanta Express
Personal: Born July 24, 2003 in Atlanta … Son of Trina Smith and Kasheem Grady … Has six siblings: Jordyn, Chloe, Salomon and Kayla Grady, Jasmine Scruggs and Jalien Hartless … Favorite movie is Hitch … Favorite food is tacos … Would like to live outside of the U.S. … Intends to major in accounting
Why Kansas City?: “I chose Kansas City because of the great environment on and off the court. The staff and team made it very welcoming and comfortable transferring in.”
Davontae Hall | 6’0 | Point Guard | Chicago, Ill. | Hyde Park Academy | Indian Hills CC
2023-24 (Indian Hills CC): NJCAA Honorable Mention All-American … First Team All-NJCAA Region 11 … Two-time ICCAC Player of the Week (Dec. 12, Feb. 20) … Led team to NJCAA National Semifinal Appearance … Averaged 11.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game … Scored in double-digits 22 times, including three 20-plus point performances … Went for 11 points and five rebounds in season-opening win at McCook … Went for 13 points and five assists in win over No. 24 NOC – Tonkawa … Scored double-digits in four-straight games from Dec. 2-14 … Posted 17 points, six rebounds and three assists in win over Seward County CC on Dec. 14 … Went for 20 points with 4-of-6 three-point shooting in win at No. 17 Moberly Area on Feb. 13 … Scored 22 points in win over North Central Missouri on Feb. 15 … Went for 22 points and five assists in win over Sauk Valley on Feb. 21 … Scored 19 points and pulled down five rebounds in National Tournament win over No. 21 Wallace State on Mar. 26 … Scored 17 points with 5-of-10 three-point shooting in National Semifinals against No. 1 Barton CC
2022-23 (Indian Hills CC): ICCAC All-Academic Second Team … NJCAA Academic Team of the Year … Invited to 2023 JCBCCA Rising Stars event … Appeared in 33 games, making four starts … Averaged 4.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists … Scored in double-digits four times … Scored 23 points in Jan. 7 win over Kansas City Kansas CC … Scored 14 points and pulled down eight rebounds in win over North Central Missouri
High School/Club: Played at Hyde Park Academy … First Team All-Conference performer
Personal: Born Sep. 13, 2003 in Chicago … Son of Marsheena Walter … Favorite color is black … Favorite musical artist is G Herbo … Undecided on major
Why Kansas City?: “Kansas City is a great city, and I felt like it was a great opportunity for me. I also felt genuine love from all of the players and coaches.’
Josh Ijeh | 6’9 | Forward | Milton Keynes, England | The Milton Keynes Academy | Casper College | Florida Manatee-Sarasota
2023-24 (Casper): Single-season blocks leader (114) … Appeared and started in 33 games … averaged 8.7 points on 63.2% shooting, adding 8.7 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game … Ranked fifth in NJCAA DI in blocks per game and 13th in field goal percentage … Opened season with 14 rebounds and four blocks in win over Western Nebraska CC on Nov. 1 … Scored 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting against Yavapai, adding 10 rebounds … Went for 15 points, seven rebounds and five blocks in win over Frank Phillips on Dec. 2 … Posted 10 points, nine rebounds and nine blocks in win over Miles CC on Dec. 7 … Notched 12 points and 14 boards against Central Wyoming on Jan. 18 … Logged 18 points on 9-of-10 shooting, adding 14 rebounds and seven blocks in win over Laramie CCC … Posted 11-point, 11-rebound double-double in win at Northwest on Feb. 21 … Notched 15 points and 14 rebounds in win over Otero on Mar. 14
2022-23 (Florida Manatee-Sarasota): Made 27 starts in 28 appearances … Averaged 4.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game … Scored in double-digits twice, with four double-digit rebounding performances … Went for eight points and 16 rebounds at Daytona State College on Nov. 1 … Posted 10-point, 14-rebound double double at Polk State on Nov. 8 … Scored 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting in win against Polk State on Dec. 2 … Scored eight points, pulled down 12 rebounds and blocked 11 shots against Chipola College on Dec. 30 … Went for six points, eight rebounds and six blocks at Hillsborough CC on Jan. 28
High School/Club: Two-time EABL All-Conference … Three-time Hoopsfix All-Star … 2021 EABL Most improved Player … In 2021-22 season, averaged 18.7 points, 21.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks … In 2020-21 season, averaged 13.3 points, 18.2 rebounds and 2.9 blocks … Played for Team Birmingham Elite … Also played soccer
Personal: Born Feb. 11, 2003 in Dublin, Ireland … Son of Debbie Ijeh … Has five siblings: Michael, Chelsea, Olly, Naomi and Ike … Was also recruited by LIU … Favorite TV shows are One Piece and The Boys … Favorite color is green … Has “not one single dancing bone in my body, like zero rhythm” … Intends to major in Psychology
Why Kansas City?: “When I visited, I loved it instantly. The coaching staff was great and is so connected with the players, it felt like a family and I wanted to be a part of it. My close friend, Kasheem Grady committed there as well, which played a big role in my decision.”
Ring Nyeri | 6’8 | Forward | Peoria, Ariz. | Liberty HS
High School/Club: Posted averages of 20.4 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.2 points per game … First Team All-State … 6A Offensive Player of the Year … Regional Defensive Player of the Year … Won 6A Championship … Holds school blocks record … Played club ball with Factory AAU and Coach Kenny Mullins … Earned an invite to Pangos All-American Camp … Ranked 178th nationally by 24/7
Personal: Born Jan. 14, 2006 in Peoria … Son of Ajok Malek … Has four siblings: Ayen, Aluel, Deng and Elijah … Favorite TV show is Hunter x Hunter … Favorite color is blue … Intends to major in business administration
Why Kansas City?: “I like the vibe of the coaches, and it seems like a great place to be.”
David Oyona Ibandzo | 6’9 | Forward | Pointe-Noire, Congo | Keystone Athletic Academy | UTRGV
2023-24 (UTRGV): Redshirted for the Vaqueros
High School/Club: Began high school career at Sunrise Christian Academy, also attending Republic of Serbia Fifth Belgrade Grammar School before completing schooling at Mercyhurst Academy and Keystone Athletic Academy … Also played for Wildcat Select as part of Adidas Sponsored Youth Basketball Program
Personal: Born Feb. 8, 2004 … Son of Nadege and Eric Oyona and Laura Neel … Has four siblings: Aristid, Arnaud, Greyson and Glory … Participated in FCA and BSM in high school … Intends to major in accounting
Why Kansas City?: “I love the vision that Coach Menzies and the whole coaching staff have for the program. It felt like home.”