HAYWARD, Calif. -- Cal State East Bay head men's basketball coach Gus Argenal has announced that Ryan Okwudibonye has committed to compete for the Pioneers in 2014-15. A native of Huntington Beach, Calif., the 6'8" center will be eligible as a senior after spending the last two seasons at Division I Sacramento State. 

"We could not be more excited to add Ryan to our Pioneer family," said Argenal. "He adds another dimension to our roster with his ability to score in the paint, rebound out of his area, and defend multiple positions."

Okwudibonye appeared in seven games for the Hornets in 2013-14, averaging 1.6 points and 1.1 rebounds. He was 4-for-6 from the floor and 3-for-3 from the free throw line for the season, and he posted highs of seven points and three rebounds in a win over William Jessup. 

Okwudibonye missed the 2012-13 season due to an injury after transferring to Sacramento State from New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, N.M. He played in all 60 games in two seasons at NMJC, leading the Thunderbirds to a 23-9 record and a berth in the National Junior College Athletic Association Regional Tournament. In his junior college career, Ryan averaged 5.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 51 percent from the field, and he was the squad's second-leading rebounder both seasons.

Prior to that, Okwudibonye had an outstanding prep career at Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach. He averaged 7.1 points and 7.4 rebounds as a junior and 8.7 points and 7.6 boards as senior, shooting over 55 percent and earning All-Conference honors both seasons. He helped lead Ocean View to back-to-back Golden West Conference titles in addition to a CIF Southern Section Div. III championship in 2008-09. 

"With four years of college basketball experience under his belt, Ryan is ready to have a breakout senior season at Cal State East Bay," Argenal added. 

Okwudibonye looks to provide much-needed size and frontcourt depth for a Pioneer team that graduated its top three rebounders from 2013-14.