The Youngstown State men's basketball team held its first official practice of the 2024-25 campaign in the renovated Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center, and the Penguins began a new era under first-year Head Coach Ethan Faulkner.
After a film session, the Penguins' two-hour practice focused on energy, a workman-like approach, defensive intensity and communication.
Over the last three seasons, Youngstown State owns a Horizon League best 65 overall wins and a league-high 41 conference victories. The Penguins won 19 games in 2021-22, 24 during the 2022-23 season, and 22 in 2023-24. In league play, the Penguins won 12, 15 and 14 games, respectively.
Senior EJ Farmer, junior Imanuel Zorgvol and sophomore Gabe Dynes are the three returning letterwinners from last year's 22-10 team. Farmer appeared in 31 games and made five starts for the Penguins. He averaged 7.4 points per game and scored in double figures 11 times. Dynes was named to Horizon League All-Freshman Team and All-Defensive Team after leading the league with 61 blocks, which set the YSU freshman record. He also shot 70.6 percent from the floor and averaged 4.0 rebounds per game. Zorgvol played in 27 games and was credited with 22 blocks.
Newcomers Nico Galette, Ty Harper and Siem Uijtendaal are all poised to immediately help the Penguins. Galette was a two-time all-conference selection at Sacred Heart the last two seasons. Last year, he averaged 13.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Harper was an NAIA Second-Team All-American after averaging 20.2 points per game at The Master's. Uijtendaal averaged 13.3 points per game and connected on 46 3-pointers for an average a 2.0 made per game.
The Penguins also return redshirt sophomore David Wilkerson, and redshirt freshmen Dante DePante and Christian Kirkland.
Other newcomers include transfers Jason Nelson, Cris Carroll, Juwan Maxey, and Kevin Hamilton, sophomore Nik Hendrix and true freshmen Elijah Guillory and Shaheed Solebo.
Youngstown State opens the campaign against Westminster Monday, Nov. 4. Tipoff is slated for 8 p.m. at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center.
