ARKADELPHIA – Ouachita men's basketball Head Coach Dennis Nutt has added five more newcomers to this season's signing class.
 
The five additions to the class consist of two junior college transfers and three freshmen.
 
Aidan Lambert is the first of the JUCO transfers. Lambert, a 6-foot-2 guard, comes to Ouachita from Snead State Community College in Boaz, Alabama. At Snead, Lambert averaged 9.4 points on 54 percent shooting across 31 games. The Fort Wayne, Indiana native scored a career-high 22 points on 8-of-10 shooting last season against Chattahoochee Valley CC.
 
"Aidan is talented guard that will bring an added punch to our roster. He is very athletic and is dedicated to winning, which is something we have embraced in this recruiting class," said Head Coach Dennis Nutt. "He comes from Snead State, where they were successful within their conference this past season."
 
Patrick "PJ" Neal is the next transfer to join the Tigers. The 6-foot-3 guard comes to Arkadelphia from Blinn College in Brenham, Texas. The Houston, Texas native saw action in 31 games and averaged 7.5 points and 3.8 assists as a sophomore at Blinn. Neal scored a career-high 15 points twice last season. Prior to Blinn, Neal spent two seasons with Division I Prairie View A&M and started five games for the Panthers.
 
"PJ will bring toughness and selflessness to the team," said Nutt, "Last year, he played a big role at a successful junior college program in Blinn. He also brings D1 experience to the team after playing at Prairie View A&M for two seasons. We are excited to welcome him to Ouachita."
 
The first freshman on the list is Kade Caldwell, a 6-foot-2 guard from Murfreesboro, Arkansas. Caldwell is a four-time Arkansas 2A-7 All-Conference Team selection (2021-2024), a three-time Arkansas 2A All-State Team selection (2022-2024), and a two-time All-Region Team selection (2023, 2024). The former Rattler also earned 2024 FCA All-Star, Arkansas Activities Association All-Star honors and was named a top five player in 2A by the Arkansas Basketball Coaches Association his senior season. Caldwell tallied over 2,000 points in his high school career.
 
"Kade's ability to shoot the ball and willingness to learn will be an asset to the team," said Nutt. "He had a great high school career, and we are looking forward to seeing what he can accomplish here."
 
The next incoming freshman is Petyon DePriest, a 6-foot-2 guard out of Marshall, Arkansas. The former Bobcat is a three-time 2A-2 All-Conference Team selection. DePriest earned All-State and All-State Tournament Team honors in both his junior and senior years (2023, 2024) after helping lead the Bobcats to back-to-back Arkansas 2A State Championship games. In his senior season, DePriest averaged 29 points, nine rebounds, and four assists per game and was named a top five player in 2A by the Arkansas Basketball Coaches Association. The incoming freshman also racked up over 2,700 points in his high school career.
 
"Peyton brings a high level of character and enthusiasm both on and off the court," said Nutt. "He is a proven winner after playing in back-to-back state championship games. His grit and hard work will set him apart from others."
 
Kaden Geddes is the next incoming freshman added to this year's class, a 6-foot-8 center from Fort Smith, Arkansas. Geddes earned 2023-24 Heartland Christian Athletic Association All-State honors and was named the 2024 HCAA Defensive Player of the Year for his senior season at Union Christian Academy.  The former Eagle averaged three blocks and 10 rebounds per game as a senior.
 
"Kaden brings size and the willingness to learn and grow to our program," said Nutt. "I am excited to watch him develop throughout his career, and we believe he has great upside and a big character. We are glad he chose Ouachita to be his home for the next four years."
 
These five newcomers join transfers Devyn Franklin, Hobert Grayson, and incoming freshman Crew Flowers to round out the signing class for Ouachita men's basketball's 2024-25 season.