The UC Riverside men's basketball team has announced that three phenomenal student-athletes will join its 2019 recruiting class. Daniel Mading, Oliver Hayes-Brown, and Akol Mawein have signed their National Letters of Intent to join the Highlander family.
Daniel Mading
Mading is a former four-star recruit that comes to Riverside from Neosho City College. The South Sudan native grew up in Perch, Austrailia and has been recruited by many programs this year.
"His length, athleticism, and skill give us a versatile student-athlete we can play inside or out,” head coach David Patrick said. “He is an outstanding young man who will be a great addition to the Highlander family."
The 6'10" forward will join UC Riverside with three years of eligibility left and will enroll in the 2019 winter quarter.
Oliver Hayes-Brown
Ollie Hayes-Brown comes to UCR off a tremendous season with the Dandenong Ranges club team in Melbourne, Australia, where he averaged 13.3 points per game and 10.4 rebounds per game in the Victorian Youth Championship League. The 6'10" Aussie native is a skilled post player. “At 6'10, his shot blocking, rebounding, and ability to step out and score gives us another inside-out presence,” Patrick said.
“His experience as a player on the Australian U19 National Team will help us from day one and he will be a great addition to both the team and the entire UCR campus."
Hayes-Brown was a repeat representative for Victoria at the Australian National Junior Championships, a member of two national junior championship teams for Victoria, and was part of the Australian Emus Squad preparation camp for the 2018 Asian Cup.
Akol Mawein
Akol Mawein, a native of South Sudan, will also join the Highlander family.
"With his size, he gives us more versatility on the wing and in the post. He comes from a winning basketball program and is a great addition to our team on and off the court."
The 6'9" power forward comes to UCR from Southwest Christian Academy, but is a native of South Sudan who grew up in Sydney, Australia. Mawein fielded offers from TCU and Arkansas - Little Rock, before deciding to become a Highlander.
