UMass Lowell Add Experienced Class for 2021-22

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LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell Men’s Basketball Head Coach Pat Duquette has added six newcomers to his roster for the 2021-22 season.

The River Hawks will welcome just one true freshman, Ephraim Acquah (Hagerstown, Md.), for the new year. Looking to bring in more experience, five transfers will also join the squad in Justin Faison (Prince George’s County, Md.), Ayinde Hikim (Washington, D.C.), Johnathan Hall (Philadelphia, Pa.), Everette Hammond (Silver Spring, Md.) and Quinton Mincey (Upper Marlboro, Md.).

“This year, we have brought in more transfers and upperclassmen than in previous years,” said Duquette. “We are hoping the added experience will blend well with an excellent core group of returning players.”

RIVER HAWK PLAYER PROFILES

Name: Ephraim Acquah
Hometown/High School: Hagerstown, Md./Williamsport
Class: Freshman
Position: Forward
Height/Weight: 6-7/192
Major: Computer Science

High School: Three-year varsity team member at Williamsport … senior captain … All-County First Team selection … averaged 11.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game in his final season … averaged 6.7 points and 5.0 rebounds as a junior to help his team to an 18-5 record … led his team to the regional finals, averaging 3.0 points and 2.0 rebounds as a sophomore … AP Scholar.

Personal: Born in Kumasi, Ghana … son of Stephen and Catherine … two younger siblings (Emmanuel and Jeremiah) … enjoys reading, gaming, coding and watching anime … favorite shows are Game of Thrones, One Piece, and Stranger Things … favorite sports team is the Boston Celtics … lists favorite athletes as Michael Jordan, Jason Tatum, and Jaylen Brown.

Why UMass Lowell: “I chose to attend UMass Lowell for a variety of reasons, not just basketball, but also the strong computer science department, as well as the location.”

Name: Justin Faison
Hometown/High School: Prince George’s County, Md./Gwynn Park
Previous School: Elizabeth City State University
Class: Graduate Student
Position: Guard
Height/Weight: 6-0/175
Major: Criminal Justice

At Elizabeth City State (2017-21): Appeared in 73 games … averaged 17.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists as a senior … boasted a career average of 40.9% (278-679) from the field, including 35.8% (121-338) from three-point range … career 76.1% (162-213) free throw shooter.

High School: Senior captain at Gwynn Park … All-PGC First Team selection … Class 2A First Team honoree … team MVP … averaged 23.0 points per game as a senior … as a junior, he helped his team to 24-3 record, averaging 15.5 points per game … All-County Second Team selection … four-time Honor Roll student.

Personal: Son of Kernis and Donna … enjoys watching shows and movies on Netflix and YouTube … favorite shows are Criminal Minds and Money Heist … favorite professional sports teams are the New England Patriots and Golden State Warriors … names Deion Sanders as his favorite sports figure.

Why UMass Lowell: “I chose to attend UMass Lowell to pursue my master’s degree so I can help at-risk children in my hometown.”

Name: Ayinde Hikim
Hometown/High School: Washington D.C./Woodrow Wilson
Previous School: LaSalle
Class: Sophomore
Position: Guard
Height/Weight: 5-11, 179 lbs
Major: Business Administration

At LaSalle (2019-21): Appeared in 40 career games for the Explorers … averaged 4.0 points and 2.5 assists in 11 games as a sophomore before transferring midyear to UMass Lowell … averaged 6.1 points and 2.1 rebounds as a freshman … shot 40.5% from the floor in his debut season.

High School: Three-year varsity captain and starter … named All-MET First Team as a senior … DCSAA and DCPS Player of the Year … helped his squad to a 29-4 record and the first state championship in program history … led the team in scoring and assists … as a junior, won a DCPS Championship … member of Student Government, AAA, and the Alpha Leadership Program

Personal: Son of Andre and Amira … has six siblings … interested in fashion … favorite shows are Shooter and The Office … favorite professional sports teams are the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Lakers … lists his favorite athletes as Kobe Bryant and Stephon Marbury.

Why UMass Lowell: “I chose to attend UMass Lowell because it felt like home.”

Name: John Hall
Hometown/High School: Philadelphia, Pa./George Washington Carver
Previous School: Portland State/Evansville
Class: Graduate Student
Position: Forward
Height/Weight: 6-7/208
Major: Peace & Conflict Studies

At Portland State (2020-21): Appeared in all 22 games off the bench … averaged 3.9 points and 3.0 rebounds … shot 35.2% from the field … logged a season-high 11 points against Montana (2.4).

At Evansville (2017-20): Started 55 of 86 games in three seasons for the Purple Aces … averaged 6.0 points and 3.2 rebounds in 22.7 minutes per game as a junior … finished with 9.0 points and a team-best 6.6 rebounds per game, ranking sixth in the MVC as a sophomore … scored a career-high 21 points with 10 rebounds against Wyoming (11.28.18)

High School Stats: Three-year varsity team member at George Washington Carver … averaged 17.0 points and 11.0 rebounds.

Personal: Son of William and Yenda … has an older brother (William) … enjoys watching movies and listening to music … favorite show is the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air … favorite sports team are the Philadelphia Eagles and 76ers … lists favorite athletes as Kevin Durant and Dwyane Wade … greatest sports moment was defeating No. 1 ranked Kentucky while playing for Evansville.

Why UMass Lowell: “I chose to attend UMass Lowell because of the great coaching staff the program has.”

Name: Everette Hammond
Hometown/High School: Silver Spring, Md./St. Thomas More
Previous School: USC Upstate
Class: Senior
Position: Guard
Height/Weight: 6-3/181
Major: Criminal Justice

At USC Upstate: Appeared in 87 games … averaged 37.2% from the field over three seasons, including 32.0% from three-point range … career average of 11.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists … started 30 of 33 games and led the team in total points (478), points per game (14.5), free throw percentage (83.1%), defensive rebounds per game (3.7) and steals (39) as a sophomore … 83.1% free throw average ranks third all-time in program history.

High School: Two-time varsity captain … earned All-Conference First Team accolades as a senior … 1000 point scorer … invited to the Under Armor All-American Camp … averaged 17.0 points and 5.0 assists in his final season … averaged 15.0 points and 4.0 assists as a junior … Honor Roll student.

Personal: Son to Everette and Monica … has four siblings … enjoys playing video games and bowling … favorite TV show is Martin … favorite professional sports teams are the Portland Trail Blazers and Baltimore Ravens … lists his favorite athlete as Allen Iverson … Greatest sports memory was hitting a game-winner that was featured on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10.

Why UMass Lowell: “I chose to attend UMass Lowell because of its academics and the basketball program.”

Name: Quinton Mincey
Hometown/High School: Upper Marlboro, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt
Previous School: Mount St. Mary’s University
Class: Sophomore
Position: Guard/Forward
Height/Weight: 6-7/195
Major: Digital Media

At Mount St. Mary’s (2020-21): Appeared in five games.

High School: Varsity team member at Eleanor Roosevelt … selected for the Class 4A First Team as a senior… named All-MET Fourth Team … Capital Classic All-Star … won the Pennsylvania State Championship as a junior.

Personal: Son of Quinton and Ayanna … has two siblings (Rianna and Nikko) … interested in business … favorite sports teams are the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers … lists his favorite athlete as Floyd Mayweather … greatest sports moment was winning the state championship as a high school junior.

Why UMass Lowell: “I chose to attend UMass Lowell because it’s a family-oriented place, very diverse and far from home to help me see new things.”