Williams – a 6-8, 210-pound forward – is a native of Hopkins, Minn., and will graduate from Highlands Community College in Freeport, Ill. This past season he averaged 6.5 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per contest for the Cougars who finished 25-8. Williams shot 53.4 percent from the floor and 65.6 percent from the free throw line last season."He is going to bring us great athleticism" said Margenthaler. "He is a versatile player that can guard one through four. He has great offensive skills that will continue to get better the more he plays."
Hoskins – a 6-2, 180-pound guard – comes to Minnesota State from Parkland Community College in Champaign, Ill. This past season, Hoskins – who was a National Junior College Athletic Association Division II All-American – averaged 16.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game last season while shooting 44 percent from the floor and 77.3 percent from the stripe. Last season, the Cobras finished 22-13."DJ is a prolific scorer coming out of a great junior college program," said Margenthaler. "He will have the ability to get the basket and shoot the ball which will be much needed in our lineup next year."
The duo joins five other student-athletes who have signed with Minnesota State to join the men's basketball team next year. That list includes: TJ Okafor (Brooklyn Park, Minn.), Kelly Madison (Des Moines, Iowa), Miles Chamberlin (Madison, Wis.), Zach Romashko (Blaine, Minn.) and Charles McNeal III (Milwaukee, Wis.).
2011-12 Newcomers
Name Ht. Wt. Pos. Year* Hometown/Previous School
Miles Chamberlain 6-3 190 G Fr. Madison, Wis./Memorial
Kelly Madison 6-4 205 G Fr. Des Moines, Iowa/Hoover
Zach Romashko 6-7 215 F Fr. Blaine, Minn./Blaine
Charles McNeal III 6-6 210 F Jr. Milwaukee, Wis./Languages/Iowa Lakes CC
TJ Okafor 6-7 190 F Fr. Brooklyn Park, Minn./Champlin Park
Darieo Williams 6-8 210 F Jr. Hopkins, Minn./Roseville/Highlands CC
DJ Hoskins 6-2 180 G Jr. Peoria, Ill/Woodriff/Parkland CC