By: Mark Wasik
2024-25 KSU Schedule | Season Tickets
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State Men's Basketball is adding another stellar recruiting class as four players have signed to join the Owls for the 2025-26 season, second-year head coach Antoine Pettway announced on Thursday. The signing class includes Amir Taylor, Brendan Tousignaut, Darius Washington III, and Nigel Thomas.
"We are super excited to welcome these four young men to our program," said Pettway on this year's signing class. "All four possess the character and work ethic that we look for in our student athletes. As a staff we feel like we did not only add talent by bringing Amir, Darius, Brendan and Nigel in, we also added GREAT PEOPLE to our culture. I am thankful for them and their families believing in us here at KSU and I can't wait to mentor them."
Taylor is a 6-8 power forward native from Pittsburgh, Pa., and currently playing for Grayson High (Loganville, Ga.). A consensus three-star recruit, he signed with the Owls after also receiving offers from several Power Five programs after leading Grayson High to the 2024 Georgia 7A state championship title over McEachern HS. Taylor has received numerous honors throughout high school, including all-state honors as a junior and he is also a four-time all-region selection. Taylor has made significant contributions on the court, amassing 973 career points, just 27 points shy of the 1,000-point milestone. Known for his strong inside play, he has totaled 585 rebounds, 150 assists, and 45 blocks across his career. Other awards include MVP honors at the HoopsGiving Tournament (2023) and Kevin Durant Tournament (2002) while also being recognized as an Outstanding Player at HoopHall.
"Amir is not only one of the best big men in the state we feel like he is one of the best bigs in the country," said Pettway. "He is coming to us from one of the top 10 high school programs nationally in Grayson High. With his size, skill and work ethic, we are looking for him to come in and have an immediate impact for us. We are so excited to welcome him and his mom April to our family here at KSU."
Tousignaut is a 6-5 shooting guard from Canton, Ga., and a two-time All-Region 6AAAAAA and Cherokee County All-County honoree for Sequoyah High. This past season, he averaged 18.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.4 steals per game while leading the Chiefs to the state playoffs for the second straight year. He holds the school record for most three-pointers made in a game at 11, and for his career, has averaged 15.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
"Brendan is one of the best shooters in the entire state," said Pettway. "I love his competitive drive, his toughness, and his overall ability to stretch the floor. He has tremendous work ethic and is going to get better every year he is here. He is from nearby Canton, Ga. and I love the fact that he will get to compete in front of his friends and family every night."
Washington III, is another three-star recruit out of Orlando, Fla., and Edgewater High. In his junior season, the 6-5 guard played for Orlando Christian Prep where he averaged 11.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, showcasing his all-around game and strong court presence. His contributions were vital in leading the Warriors to become district and regional champions, ultimately finishing as state 6A runner-up. His sophomore season he was also at Edgewater, where he posted averages of 11.5 points and 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Washington signed with the Owls over Coastal Carolina, FGCU and Stetson.
"Darius is a dynamic guard with speed and size," noted Pettway. "He has a great basketball pedigree with his dad being a former McDonald's all American and playing in NBA (Darius Washington Jr. played for the San Antonio Spurs). At 6-5 his passing, shooting, and burst with the ball made him a top target for us in the recruiting process immediately. D3 is a winner, a worker and we can't wait to welcome him to campus."
Thomas is a 6-7 guard from McDonough, Ga, who played at Ola High. A consistent scorer, he has averaged 15 points per game in his career and is on track to eclipse 1,000 career points this season. Thomas received both all-state and all-region honors for Ola High, and was also named a GACA All-Star. He has led the Mustangs to deep state playoff runs, including a semifinal appearance in 2022, the quarterfinals in 2023, and a Sweet 16 and regional championship in 2024.
"Nigel is an elite shooting wing with great upside," said Pettway. "At 6-7 he has the length and versatility to be a really good perimeter defender on this level as well. His shot making ability and overall size for position fits our style of play here at Kennesaw State. He is also another local product that will have the chance to compete in front of his family and friends every night."
NEXT TIME OUT: The Owls (4-1) host No. 24 Rutgers (5-0) on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 1 p.m. in the Convocation Center. The game against the Scarlet Knights will be on CBS Sports Network.
