ALBANY, N.Y. - The University at Albany men’s basketball program and head coach Dwayne Killings announce nine transfers for the upcoming 2025-26 season.

Joining the previously announced Wilkins Paulino at the guard position, the Great Danes will now be joined by guards; Will Richardson, Jaden Kempson, Nasir Mihammad, and Abdoulaya Fall. Center,  Yaya Keita, and forwards, Isaac Abidde, Tarique Foster, Ife West-Ingram, and Okechukwu “Chris” Okeke. 

Returning to UAlbany from the 2024-25 season are sophomores Amir Lindsey, Sully Adewale, Ma'Kye Taylor and redshirt-sophomores Bautista Giralt and Zach Matulu

Will Richardson

Guard | 6-3 | 170 | Senior | Teaneck, N.J. | Fordham

Quick Background 

Having won three high school state championships for Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, N.J., and being named the 2020 New Jersey State player of the year by NJ.com. Richardson would spend his first three seasons of collegiate basketball at Fordham University, from the 2022-23 season through the 2024-25 season. During his time in the Bronx, Richardson appeared in 73 games, totaling 1,722 minutes on the court for the Rams, where he recorded 577 points, making 188 field goals, shooting 105-317 (33.12%) beyond the arc, while grabbing 157 rebounds, 121 assists, 73 steals, and 12 blocks.

Killings on Richardson: “Will is a leader, and a winner, and we are fortunate to have him wear the Purple and Gold this year. Having learned to compete in New York and New Jersey, he is built to have success in the America East.”

Jaden Kempson

Guard | 6-4 | 190 | Junior | Bronx, N.Y. | Midland CC

Quick Background

Kempson comes to UAlbany having spent two years at Midland Community College in Midland, Texas, where he led Midland to Back-to-Back 20-win Seasons.  The Chaparrals at one point during Kempson’s time were ranked as high as the No. 5 JUCO Team in the country. Over his two years in Midland, Kempson averaged 14.2ppg, 4.0rpg, and 2.3apg while shooting 47.9% from the field and earned WJCAC All-Conference Honors.

Killings on Kempson: “Jaden has worked extremely hard to find a Division I scholarship. A known scorer in the JUCO ranks, he brings versatility, a city swagger, and a true belief that will help us from day one.”

Nasir Muhammad

Guard | 6-2 | 186 | Junior | Brooklyn, N.Y. | NIU

Quick Background:

After two seasons at NIU, Muhammad comes to the Capital Region. While with the Huskies, the 6-2 guard appeared in 29 games, he recorded 200 points and averaged 6.9 points, 2.31 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game with 15 steals and two blocks. Working hard in the classroom as well, he earned 2024-25 Academic All-MAC honors. He attended Xaverian High School in Brooklyn, where he led the Catholic High Schools Athletics Association ‘AA’ Division as a senior in 2022-23, averaging 25.8 points per game.

Killings on Muhammad: “Nasir attended the famous Xaverian High School in Brooklyn, which produced former great Chris Mullin. The Brooklyn-born guard will create depth at the point guard position, with his ability to lead, make others better, and score. He brings a Brooklyn toughness to the court that we can’t wait to have.”

Abdoulaye Fall

Guard | 6-8 | 210 | Junior | Dakar, Senegal | Indian Hills CC

Quick Background: 

A standout athlete at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa, Fall joins UAlbany as its tallest member of the guards. The 6-8 Senegal native was a NJCAA D1 Men’s Basketball First-Team All-America and the ICCAC D1 Men’s Basketball Player of the Year. This past season, he averaged 10.5 points, shooting 104-198 (52.5%) from the field, 28-78 (35.9%) from beyond the arc, and was 80-106 (75.5%) at the free-throw line. At the rim, he averaged 4.0 rebounds per game along with an average of one steal per game, recording 12 games with double-digit points, including four 20+ point games, and scored a season-high 27 points against Lake Region State. In the classroom, Fall was also named to the 2024 Fall and 2025 Spring ICCAC Academic All-Region First Team (3.5-4.0 GPA).

Killings on Fall: “Abdoulaye joins us as a top 25 junior college All-American and is a product of the prestigious SEEDS program, based in Senegal, which serves as a bridge program to help Senegalese young prospects come to the US. Abdoulaye proved capable of scoring at all three levels and provides size on the perimeter. We are thrilled to have him join our program. 

Yaya Keita

Center | 6-9 | 241 | Redshirt-Junior| Koutiala, Mali | Oklahoma

Quick Background: 

Coming to UAlbany as a redshirt junior, Kieta has played in 34 games throughout his college career. His most notable season was his freshman year at Missouri when he appeared in 21 games, scoring 26 points and grabbing 26 rebounds for the Tigers, along with seven steals, two blocks, and two assists. Out of high school, Keita was the No. 24 center in Rivals’ Top 150 for the class of 2021 and averaged 8.0 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.

Killings on Keita: “Yaya Keita is truly one of the most mature student athletes I have been around. His consistent approach to life on and off the court will help him succeed during the 25-26 season and as a graduate student. Yaya is a winner!!! We are blessed to have him call UAlbany home.”

Isaac Abidde

Forward | 6-8 | 211 | Redshirt-Senior | Albany, Ga. | Cleveland State

Quick Background: 

After spending his freshman and sophomore seasons at Wichita State, Abidde spent one season at Cleveland State, where he helped the Vikings reach the Horizon League Men’s Basketball Semifinals, before coming to UAlbany. The Albany, Georgia native, had his best season to date in 2024-25 for the Vikings, where he played in 31 games, shooting .40-83 (.482%) from the field while going 40-83 (.385%) from beyond the arc with four double-digit scoring games. Off the board, he grabbed 63 rebounds while making 16 steals and nine blocks.

Killings on Abidde: “When we started our portal process, we talked a lot about adding versatile front-court players that were multi-dimensional. Issac is just that. Having played at Wichita State and most recently for a Cleveland St team that won 20 games, he knows what it takes to win. His ability to guard multiple positions and hunger to win will make him an immediate leader on this year’s team.”

Tarique Foster

Forward | 6-8 | 185 | Junior | Bronx, N.Y. | University of Massachusetts 

Quick Background: 

In two seasons with the Minutemen, Foster appeared in 29 games, shooting .488% from the field and .389% from the three-point line, while recording 22 rebounds, seven steals, five assists, and three blocks. Fosters been game of his young career came in a start vs. St. Bonaventure where he recorded 14 points, where from the field he shot 4-9 (.444%), and 2-4 (.500%) from three-point range, and going 4-5 at the free throw line, while making three steals and one assist. Prior to a year of prep school at Putnam Science Academy (Conn.), Foster played four years on varsity at Cardinal Hayes High School, winning a state championship with a 26-3 record, while averaging 16.0 points and six rebounds per game.

Killings on Foster: “Tarique brings to our program length, size, versatility, and shooting that was needed in our off-season recruiting. He immediately creates mismatches on the floor and will become a proven defender as we get to work in July.”

Ife West-Ingram

Forward | 6-7 | 210 | Junior | Philadelphia, Pa. | Rider

Quick Background: 

Appearing in 46 games for the Broncs throughout two seasons, After appearing in 20 games and receiving MAAC Academic Honor Roll honors his freshman season, West-Ingram’s best season came in 2024-25 where he appeared in 26 games with seven starts, averaging 4.0 points per game shooting 46-79 (.5825) from the field while picking up 24 assists, six blocks, and three steals. His best game dates to November 12, 2024, at Navy, where the Philadelphia product was a perfect 6-6 from the field and 2-2 from the free throw line, recording seven rebounds, six offensively, with six assists, one block, and one steal.

Killings on West-Ingram: “Ife is a pure athlete that will become a fan favorite with his ability to attack the rim and rebound. The Philadelphia-born product comes to Albany ready to prove himself and put a fighter's MENTALITY into the program.”

Okechukwu “Chris” Okeke

Forward | 6-10 | 235 | Redshirt-Senior | Chicago, IL. | Florida International University

Quick Background: 

In two seasons with the Panthers, having played his freshman and sophomore seasons at the junior college level, Okeke appeared in 33 games, averaging 3.2 points, while shooting 45-82 (.536%) from the field, and 3-7 (.429%) from three-point range. He’s totaled 82 rebounds, seven assists, and six steals, and as the tallest member of the incoming UAlbany Class, recorded 17 blocks. Before FIU, Okeke spent his sophomore season at Tallahassee JC, playing in 37 games and starting in 36, averaging 8.9 ppg, scoring a career high 25 points against Forge Sports Academy. In his freshman season at Tyler JC in Tyler, TX, he averaged 10.3 ppg, while at the time, scoring a career best 19 points at the NCAA Region XIV Tournament against Blinn (TX).

Killings on Okeke: “Chris joins our program after being one of the most talked about JUCO products two years ago. During his visit, I was so impressed with his excitement and energy to be at UAlbany and his quick understanding of this is where he belonged. Not only is he a talented basketball player, but a great person.”

Social Central: Stay up to date with UAlbany men's basketball by following the team on X (@UAlbanyMBB) and Instagram (@ualbany_mbb) for all of the latest news and highlights throughout the year.