CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team announced the signing of Uzo Dibiamaka (G, 6-3 185, Adelaide, South Australia/Iowa Central C.C.) to a National Letter of Intent. Dibiamaka is the fourth signee for the Golden Eagles in the 2021 class joining Jerome Mabry (G/F, 6-3 194, Milwaukee, Wis./Northwest College (Wyo.), Dylan Hushaw (G, 6-2 170, Las Vegas, Nev./Miles C.C. (Mont.) and Ron Kirk, Jr. (G, 6-4 176, Milwaukee, Wis./Dominican H.S.

"I have been following Coach Helle's team for quite some time," said Head Coach Dan Weisse. "I've always been intrigued by Uzo but the last five to six games he really showed what he can do. He is a long guard and that can stretch the floor and shoot it. He has a pull up game, and he showed he isn't afraid of contact when he attacks the rim. Defensively he can guard multiple positions and can get deflections with his length. After talking to him on the phone, then having him up on his visit, I really was impressed with who he is and his humility. He is a team-first guy that is willing to do whatever is asked of him. Uzo comes from a terrific family and I'm very excited to welcome him to the Golden Eagle basketball family."

Dibiamaka adds length to the backcourt and wing positions for the Golden Eagles and gives UMN Crookston another strong defender and someone who can stretch the floor with his shot. He is the third junior college transfer in the class, joining Hushaw and Mabry.

The Golden Eagles have a core of returning players coming back for the 2021-22 season. UMN Crookston returns 2020-21 starters Brian Sitzmann (R-Sr., G, Savage, Minn.), Leonard Dixon (Sr., F, Damascus, Ore.), and Ethan Channel (Sr., G, Beaverton, Ore.). In addition, key reserve Zach Westphal (R-So., G, West Fargo, N.D.) returns, while Tyrese Shines (R-So., G, LaGrange, Ill.) is back after missing the majority of the 2020-21 season due to injury. Hunter Lyman (So., F/C, West Fargo, N.D.) and Silas Xia (Jr., G, Guangzhou, China) also are back in the fold for the Golden Eagles. Minnesota Crookston had a young squad for the 2020-21 season. They are looking to build on a 2-14 mark. Sitzmann is back after tallying 11.5 points per game. Dixon notched 10.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per tilt, while Channel averaged 10.0 points and 5.9 board per tilt. Sam Tiley (G/F, Fort Collins, Colo.) who was with the team in the fall of 2020, is also returning to the program.

"I am very excited to be a Golden Eagle," Dibiamaka said. "After visiting the campus and talking to the coaches and returning players, I feel like the school and team will be a good fit for me to continue my college career. I'd say I have a pretty well-rounded skill set. My biggest strengths probably come in my playmaking, shooting, and defense. . I'm excited to get started when we get back on campus in the fall."

The student-athlete listed as having signed a National Letter of Intent or Offer of Admission to play men's basketball at the University of Minnesota Crookston have been verified by the Minnesota Crookston compliance office once they sign the National Letter of Intent or once the student-athlete has accepted an Offer of Admission for Minnesota Crookston.

Uzo Dibiamaka (G, 6-3 185, Adelaide, South Australia/Iowa Central C.C.
Dibiamaka is the first UMN Crookston player from South Australia during the Weisse era. He joins Xia as foreign-born players on the UMN Crookston roster for the 2021 season. Dibiamaka averaged 7.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game as a sophomore at Iowa Central C.C. He shot 42.3% from the field, and 43.5 percent from beyond the arc. Dibiamaka was an 87.1 percent shooter from the charity stripe. In his last four games for the Tritons, he averaged 16.8 points per game, shooting 56.8% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. His season-high of 19 points came against Southeastern C.C. He was 5-of-7 from beyond the arc in the game. Dibiamaka had 10 rebounds in a win over Ellsworth C.C. He had eight boards in a victory over North Iowa Area C.C. (NIACC). Dibiamaka had five assists in a win over Northeast C.C. He played his freshman season at Western Texas College. Dibiamaka averaged 2.2 points and 1.6 rebounds per game. He had a season-high eight points against Loyalty Prep. He competed as a prep at Second Baptist H.S. in Houston, Texas. Dibiamaka was a 2018 State Champion. He earned 2018 First Team All-Conference accolades.

His brother Uche Dibiamaka competed for Division I University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He is the son of Henry and Colleen Dibiamaka. Dibiamaka was born April 23, 2001. He plans to major in business management.

"Uzo's biggest strength is his ability to shoot it from all three levels," said Iowa Central Head Coach Chad Helle. "Uzo shot 44% from three on the year, overall he shot 42%. He will consistently knock down open shots and get to his mid-range area he likes and knock down that shot, as well. I believe he will bring some leadership skills with his daily approach to workouts, practice, the weight room, and film. He is a very mature kid who goes about his business. Coaches always talk about wanting locker room guys, Uzo will be a great locker room guy. I am very happy for Uzo and his opportunity to play in a high level Division II conference and for Coach Weisse. The last 10 games of the year, Uzo really shined and showed what he can do on a daily basis."