URI men's basketball picks up another commitment, former Wichita State forward Josaphat Bilau
The latest University of Rhode Island recruit comes from the junior college ranks.
The Rams picked up another commitment on Monday afternoon in former Wichita State forward Josaphat Bilau. He spent the 2021-22 season at New Mexico Junior College, appearing in 26 games for the Thunderbirds and reaching the Region 5 semifinals.
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Bilau announced his pledge to URI via his personal social media accounts. He’s a 6-foot-10 native of France who makes it six newcomers for the Rams entering the 2022-23 campaign. Head coach Archie Miller is down to a pair of open scholarships after facing a mass exodus through the NCAA transfer portal over the previous two months.
RHODY NATION LET’S ROCK❗️ @RhodyMBB pic.twitter.com/Kq0ClJKHIn
— Josaphat Bilau (@jb_243) May 23, 2022
Bilau averaged 4.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots while making five starts for New Mexico. He hit double digits in scoring and rebounding three times apiece and narrowly missed a double-double in an 89-86 loss at Odessa College. Bilau collected 10 points and nine rebounds while connecting at a perfect 5-for-5 from the field.
Bilau has played basketball in the United States for just five years dating to 2017-18 at Riverdale Baptist. That’s located in Upper Marlboro, Maryland — home base for incoming freshman wing Louis Hutchinson and former URI guard Jeff Dowtin. It’s also a sweet spot for Rams assistant coach Kenny Johnson, who nabbed his third pledge to join the roster in 2022-23.
Bilau prepped at Spire Institute in Ohio before selecting the Shockers ahead of a strong list that included fellow finalists West Virginia, Wake Forest and Nevada. He also claimed offers from the likes of Georgetown, Illinois, Kansas State, Penn State, Texas Tech, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and Tennessee. Bilau was redshirted during the 2019-20 season and could retain up to three years of eligibility in Kingston.
Bilau was among the host of players who eventually left Wichita State in the wake of player-abuse allegations levied against former coach Gregg Marshall. The Shockers promoted assistant coach Isaac Brown to the head job and were the surprise American Athletic Conference regular-season champions in 2020-21. Bilau appeared in 12 games off the bench, totaling nine points, 13 rebounds and two blocked shots in 61 minutes.
Johnson has reeled in Bilau, Hutchinson and George Washington transfer guard Brayon Freeman since his official hiring in early April. Fellow assistant Duane Woodward has matched that number through Seton Hall transfer guard Brandon Weston and a pair of freshmen from Canadian powerhouse Orangeville Prep — shooting forward Rory Stewart and athletic center Jeremy Foumena. URI's staff also convinced Malik Martin and Ishmael Leggett to remain with the program after entering the transfer portal.
The Rams have brought in reinforcements at virtually every position and have some flexibility with their final two spots. URI has been in contact with North Carolina guard Anthony Harris, Virginia Tech forward David N’Guessan and junior college forward Amadou Traore — both Harris and N'Guessan have had visits. The Rams also have multiple offers out through the Class of 2025 and should have a stronger pitch to make upon the expected completion of a basketball-specific practice facility over the next 16 months.
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On Twitter: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Former Wichita State forward Josaphat Bilau commits to URI basketball
