A Strategic Addition for the Redbirds
Deng Garang has officially committed to Illinois State University, pledging to wear the Redbirds jersey for the 2026‑27 campaign. The 6‑6 guard from Syracuse, New York, announced his decision after a standout two‑year stint at LeMoyne College, where he honed a blend of shooting accuracy and interior presence.
During his most recent season, Garang posted averages of 10.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting 46 percent from the field and 34 percent beyond the arc. He demonstrated the ability to score in double figures on 20 occasions, including three performances of 20 points or more, and he grabbed double‑digit rebounds twice, highlighted by a season‑high 13 boards against Fairleigh Dickinson.
Statistical Highlights
His freshman year at LeMoyne was equally promising; Garang appeared in 13 games with six starts, scoring in double figures three times and delivering a career‑high 20 points against Saint Francis on February 20. He shot 51 percent from the field and 49 percent from three‑point range, underscoring a rapid development curve.
Garang’s high school pedigree includes graduation from Bishop Grimes High School, where he amassed 506 points and earned finalist honors for the 2022‑23 All‑CNY Boys Basketball Large School Player of the Year. That accolade reflected a prolific senior season that set the stage for his collegiate breakthrough.
The Redbirds, who reached the semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament in 2025‑26, will return their top two scorers — Chase Walker and Johnny Kinziger — as well as 17‑game starter Mason Klabo. Alongside them, the program will welcome a fresh cohort of transfers and freshmen, including Noah Cleveland, Demarion Burch, Zaxton King, Louie Semona, Jordan Williams, Matthew Szafoni and Leyton Wolf, bolstering depth and versatility.
Coach Ryan Pedon expressed enthusiasm about the new addition, noting that Garang’s blend of size, shooting and rebounding fits the team’s evolving identity. With a roster that mixes returning veterans and promising newcomers, Illinois State aims to build on its recent NIT success and contend for a national postseason berth.