STONY BROOK, N.Y. – Stony Brook men's basketball head coach Geno Ford announced the addition of three student-athletes to the program during the Spring Signing Period. Collin O'Connor (Guard, 6-2, Hudson, Ohio), Ben Wight (Forward, 6-9, Columbus, Ohio) and Nick Woodard (Wing, 6-8, Oglethorpe, Georgia) all announced their commitment to Stony Brook on Wednesday.

COLLIN O'CONNOR
Collin O'Connor comes to Stony Brook following a post-grad year at Western Reserve Academy, where he and his team won a National Championship.

"Collin is a skilled point guard that can score and create for others. He comes from a basketball family and will have an immediate impact on our program with his toughness and leadership," Ford said. "He led his team to a National Prep Championship and a State High School Final Four appearance. We look forward to him bringing that winning pedigree with him to our program."

O'Connor averaged 12.7 points, 6.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 37 percent from three-point range at Western Reserve.

"Collin is a winner. He does whatever his team asks. From guarding the opposing team's best player to scoring 30 points when his team needs an offensive spark," Matt Garvey, O'Connor's head coach at Western Reserve, said. "He is unselfish, competitive and possesses a game that translates to the college level."

O'Connor began his scholastic career at Tecumseh High School before moving onto Centerville High School for his senior season. He led Tecumseh in scoring as a sophomore and junior, then averaged nine points at Centerville and 12 points at Western Reserve.

BEN WIGHT
Ben Wight, a 6-9 forward, joins the Seawolves after stints at William & Mary and most recently Toledo. Wight is a native of Columbus, Ohio and played scholastically at Thomas Worthington HS.

Wight played three seasons at William & Mary before heading to Toledo for the 2023-24 season. As a sophomore, Wight led the Tribe with 11.6 ppg and 5.5 rpg, scoring at an efficient 61.6 percent clip. Wight was one of two members of the Tribe to start in all 32 contests in 2021-22. His play helped him pick up a Preseason All-CAA Honorable Mention nod in 2022-23. As a junior, Wight's 10.9 ppg and 5.2 rpg were second on the squad and his 18 blocked shots were a team high.

In his lone season at Toledo, Wight appeared in 23 contests, making six starts for the Rockets. He scored a season-high six points against Louisiana early on during the non-conference slate.

Following his senior year of high school, Wight was selected to compete in the Ohio vs. Kentucky All-Star Game. A First Team All-Ohio Capital Conference member and an All-Central District Honorable Mention, Wight averaged 13.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg and 2.5 bpg as a senior at Thomas Worthington.

"We are excited to add Ben to our program. We've seen first hand the impact he has made in the CAA," Ford noted. "Ben is an efficient scorer who averaged double figures at William & Mary. On the defensive end, he will provide a physical presence inside and is a strong rebounder."

NICK WOODARD
Woodard, a 6-8 wing, the No. 39 ranked JUCO nationally, per JucoRecruiting.com, was a standout during his two seasons at Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis, Tennessee.

"Nick is a versatile wing that can be a leader in our program," Ford commented. "He is a three-level scorer and a really good passer. He will be able to play multiple positions and create mismatch opportunities for us on offense. His size and physicality will help our defense and rebounding. We are excited to have him join our program."

Woodard, who was named the TCCAA Freshman of the Year in 2022-23, also earned First Team All-TCCAA distinction this past season in the Tennessee Region 7. He led SW Tennessee in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots, averaging 21.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg, and 1.3 bpg. He also dished out 76 assists.

"Nick came in as a freshman and had an immediate impact on our team, winning freshman of the year in the conference and then had a great summer leading into his sophomore year," SW Tennessee head coach Jarrett Stephens said. "He completed his career in the 1,000-point club and led us on and off the court."

Woodard will have two years of eligibility upon joining the Seawolves.

"Nick is a high character young man. I believe he will make an immediate positive impact at Stony Brook," Stephens added. "He is coachable, extremely talented and is versatile. I see him being very productive and his leadership will carry over to their program."

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