POMONA -- Cal Poly Pomona head men's basketball coach Greg Kamansky has finalized his 2021-22 recruiting class, welcoming Tay Aubry-Thomas, Caleb Nelson, Brase Dottin, Jaden Winfield and Daryl Sledge Jr., in addition to Dane Erikstrup and Jordan Carpenter, who were previously announced in the spring.

"I am very happy with our recruiting class this year," Kamansky said.  "These seven guys will add significant value to our program.  They are good students, they will represent our program well, and I'm excited for the future of the program this year and beyond."
 
I want to thank the efforts of assistant coaches Damion Hill and Matt Okada during this recruiting time," added Kamansky.  "Their hard work this past year, especially in an unprecedented time, will pay off for us."

Tay Aubry-Thomas is the only transfer of the seven newcomers, coming over from Allan Hancock College where he averaged 5.1 points and 5.3 rebounds in 29 games, making nine starts as a freshman in 2018-19.  During his sophomore season in 2019-20, the 6-foot-8 forward appeared in just four of the team's 30 games, but averaged 11.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest during his time on the floor.  Aubry-Thomas also appeared in five games in a COVID-shortened season last year, posting 10.2 points and 8.2 rebounds.  The junior is a 2018 graduate of John Muir High School in Pasadena where he starred as a three-sport athlete in basketball, football and track and field.

Caleb Nelson graduated from Carlsbad High School in the spring after a decorated prep career that saw him earn First Team All-CIF Division II and First Team All-League honors as a senior.  As a 6-foot-7 forward, Nelson was also a member of the CIF San Diego Division II Championship squad as a sophomore in 2019.

Brase Dottin comes from Harvard Westlake High School where the 6-foot-5 guard competed in both basketball and track and field.  He led his team to two league titles in basketball in 2019 and 2020, as well as a CIF championship in track and field in 2019.

Jaden Winfield, a 6-foot-5 guard, is a 2021 graduate of Martin Luther King High School in Riverside where he was an All-CIF Division 3AA selection and earned First Team All-League Big VIII during his career.

Daryl Sledge Jr. comes from Francis Parker School in San Diego.  The 6-foot-1 shooting guard Sledge Jr. set the school record for most three-pointers made in school history.

The Broncos return only six student-athletes from the 2019-20 roster that helped CPP to a 23-7 record and its third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance before COVID-19 abruptly canceled the postseason.  The six players include seniors Phoenix Shackelford, Tavian Henderson and BJ Standley, as well as junior Finn Eckhardt.  The two other returners -- William Chavarin and Chris Gayles Jr. -- did not see any time on the court in 2019-20.  Freshman Christopher Mitchell rounds out the 2021-22 squad for Kamansky; Mitchell joined the team ahead of the 2020-21 academic year.