Nov. 21, 2005

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University men's basketball head coach Steve Pikiell has announced the signing of five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to play for the Seawolves, beginning in the fall of 2006. Center Riiny Ngot, 7-2, (Calgary, Canada/Father Lacombe), guard Eddie Castellanos, 6-1, (Hoboken, N.J./Hoboken), wing Marcus Robinson, 6-3, (Pittsburgh, Pa./Allderdice), forward Rio Pitt, 6-7, (Amityville, N.Y./Our Savior New American) and guard Chris Martin, 6-1, (Springfield Gardens, N.Y./Christ the King/Maine Central Institute) will wear the Stony Brook red next season, representing the largest recruiting class to commit during the early signing period in program history.

"I'm extremely excited about this recruiting class, having filled many voids in our program," said Pikiell. "We have increased our size and athleticism tremendously and most importantly upgraded our talent level. I `m most excited that Stony Brook University has attracted such a high caliber student -athlete. This is a class that will be the foundation for an exciting future."

Ngot who stands at 7-2, 230 pounds, is the most highly ranked recruit every signed by Stony Brook and will be the tallest player in the program's history. The center is rated 44th among the nation's top fifth year high school recruits by HOOPSCOOP online and is one of two players in Stony Brook's class that appear among the Top 100 fifth-year high school recruits..

Ngot, a native of Sudan and member of the Dinka tribe, averaged over 19 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks per game last season for Father Lacombe High School and was named to the Calgary High School Athletic Association All-Star team. He was a central figure last year in leading the team to a city championship and a fourth place finish in the provincial tournament, Father's Lacombe's best finish ever. Ngot went on to represent Father Lacombe for the first time at the Team Canada Men's National Team tryouts. "Riiny Ngot is a very athletic 7-2, 230-pound center," said Pikiell. "As a basketball player he can run the floor and has a knack for blocking shots. Riiny is a very good rebounder he will make a tremendous impact immediately."

"Riiny has worked hard and overcome all barriers put in front of him to accomplish a dream," said Father Lacombe head coach Richard Svoboda "He has been a role model for all students at Father Lacombe, especially those in the Sudanese community."

Martin, a 6-1, 210-pound guard, will come to Stony Brook after a three-year standout career at Christ the King High School and one year at Maine Central Institute. After helping the Royals win a state championship as a sophomore, he averaged 14.3 points per game last year as the Royals posted a 24-3 overall record and an undefeated season in CHSAA action for only the second time in school history. Martin was rated as the 89th best fifth-year player in the nation by HOOPSCOOP online. "Chris Martin is a tough hard-nosed guard," said Pikiell. "He is very talented and comes to us from a long line of great guards at Christ The King High School. He is prepping at Maine Central Institute and had 22 points in their first prep game."

"Chris' strength and experience at a high level of high school basketball has prepared him well to succeed at the college level," said Christ the King head coach Bob Oliva.

Castellanos is a 6-1, 180-pound point guard who averaged 12.9 points, 7.1 assists and 3.7 steals per game in leading the Hoboken Red Wings to a 22-4 record and the Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic Association title for the first time in their history last year. The three-year starter's standout performance earned him first-team All-County, second-team All-State and Hudson County Player of the Year honors. "Eddie is a pure point guard with terrific quickness," said Pikiell. "The Stony Brook fans will love his style of play. He is very competitive and he will have a great career in the America East."

"Eddie worked hard on his skills and developed into an outstanding ballplayer," said Hoboken head coach Buddy Matthews. "Stony Brook is a very good fit for him and Coach Pikiell is the type of person who will take Eddie a long way both athletically and academically.

Robinson, a 6-3, 185-pound wing player, averaged 14 points, six rebounds and three steals per game last season. The first-team All-City selection has started for Allderdice High School since his freshman year, amassing 903 points and helping his team to a 48-32 record during that stretch. "He is the best pure athlete in the class as a versatile wing player with skills," said Pikiell. "He will be a crowd favorite with his variety of dunks and athletic plays. He also is class president at Allderdice High School."

"He is a talented player who can play a lot of different positions, " said Allderdice head coach Buddy Valinsky. "Stony Brook is a perfect match for Marcus as a student-athlete and I expect him to do very well there."

Rio Pitt is a 6-7, 210-pound forward who is a standout for Our Savior New American HS in Centereach, N.Y. "Rio Pitt is very athletic and very skilled, he can shoot the three or post up," said Pikiell. "He will contribute immediately and has a chance to be a great player at Stony Brook."

"Rio is gentlemen who will be a credit to Stony Brook in every way." said Our Savior head coach Pastor Ron Stelzer. "He is a good student and has an excellent all-around game."

Coach Pikiell and the Seawolves travel to face Lehigh on Tuesday night. Tip-off is 7 p.m.