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Men’s Basketball Announces Incoming Class

HAMILTON – Colgate University Head Men's Basketball Coach Matt Langel has announced the addition of five newcomers, featuring four first-years and a sophomore transfer, set to join the program for the 2025-26 season.

HAMILTON – Colgate University Head Men's Basketball Coach Matt Langel has announced the addition of five newcomers, featuring four first-years and a sophomore transfer, set to join the program for the 2025-26 season. 

The incoming class will include three guards and two forwards hailing from four different states and two countries. The five newcomers will join 11 returning Raiders who helped the program to 10 conference wins and an eighth straight Patriot League tournament semifinal appearance. 

"We look forward to welcoming this group of student-athletes and their families to Hamilton and our Colgate Basketball family," Langel said. "It's an exciting time in their lives and we are equally excited to add them to our returners to get started on the 2025-26 campaign."
 


Andrew Alekseyenko
F | 6-8 | 230
Brookline, Mass. | Rivers School

Coach Langel on Andrew: "Andrew is a competitive, hardworking young man. It is evident in watching how he plays the game He plays with physicality, but also with a skill set and demeanor that shows an understanding of the game and what it takes to help a team win."

Before Colgate
Two-time All-NEPSAC and All-ISL selection in 2024 and 2025 after averaging 18 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists per game at the Rivers School…helped lead his team to back-to-back NEPSAC conference championships in 2023 and 2024 playing for head coach Keith Zalaski…team captain his senior year (2025)...competed on the club circuit for Team White Mamba in the MHC, where he named the team's Most Valuable Player while playing for head coach Brian Scalabrine. 

Personal
Born: Andrew Art Alekseyenko in Boston, Mass.
Family: Son of Olga and Art Alekseyenko.
 


Jonathan Niv
G | 6-5 | 190
Fairfield, Conn. | Suffield Academy

Coach Langel on Jonathan: "Jonathan has been watching Colgate Basketball since his sister's time as a student here and it is great to have him join our team to continue the family tradition. He has found successes in the highly competitive NEPSAC and brings a passion for the game and great ability to make shots to the gym every day."

Before Colgate
Garnered All-NEPSAC First Team honors after averaging 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals per game as a senior in 2025 at Suffield Academy…competed for St. Joseph High School (2020-22) and King School (2022-23) during his high school career, averaging 17 points, seven rebounds, and three assists per game…named runner-up for NEPSAC Player of the Year in 2023 at King…also earned All-NEPSAC First Team and All-FAA First Team honors that same year at King (2023)...scored 42 points in a game while at King, setting the program record for the most points scored in a single content…competed on the club circuit for PTT in the HGSL from 2023-25, averaging 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals…named a team captain in 2025…also competed in track & field in high school.

Personal
Born: Jonathan Jordan Jiv in Los Angeles, Calif.
Family: Son of Moshe and Lisa Niv…has four sisters and one brother…sister, Naomi, attended Colgate from 2019-2023. 
 


Ayomi Odetoyinbo
F | 6-10 | 215
Canton, N.Y. | Our Saviour Lutheran School

Coach Langel on Ayomi: "Ayomi arrives in Hamilton already having been on a unique journey. With Canton, NY as home, Ayomi most recently studied and played at OSL and in the OTE. When watching him, his size, length, and athleticism stand out immediately as differentiating, but his work ethic and commitment to learning and to being a great teammate on and off the court are what I believe help him stand out."

Before Colgate
Graduated from Our Savior Lutheran School, where he averaged 2.4 points per game along with 1.7 rebounds and 0.5 blocks per game as a senior…posted averages of eight points, seven rebounds, and three blocks per game during his high school career which also included three years at Canton Central School (2020-23)...also competed in track & field during high school career, where he was a two-time Section 10 Discus champion and two-time Section 10 High Jump champion…High Honor Roll member in high school. 

Personal
Born: Eyilayomi Erioluwa Odetoyinbo in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. 
Family: Son of Morolake Odetoyinbo. 
 


Charlie Pugh
G | 6-4 | 190
Greenwood Village, Colo. | Brewster Academy

Coach Langel on Charlie: "Charlie of course has great bloodlines with his dad having been a part of a standout era of Kansas Basketball, but Charlie has distinguished himself as a student and athlete in Colorado and most recently at one for the very best high school basketball programs in the country in Brewster Academy. Like his incoming classmates, Charlie prides himself on his work and the successes of the team he is part of."

Before Colgate
Played for head coach Jason Smith at Brewster Academy, where he averaged 14.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game as as senior in 2025…also named team captain for his senior year…connected on 50 percent from behind the arc in EYBL Scholastic Play in 2023-24…also earned the team's Coach's Award while at Brewster in 2023-24…competed for Cherry Creek High School from 2020-23 and was named a CHSSA 6A Academic All-State selection after helping his team to a Centennial League Championship in 2022-23…six-time honor roll selection…four-time Magna Cum Laude and one-time Summa Cum Laude honoree…also played football in high school…helped his team to a CHSSA 5A State Championship in 2021…member of National Honor Society. 

Personal
Born: Charles Thomas Pugh in Denver, Colo.
Family: Son of Amy and TJ…has two brothers, Mason and Thomas, and one sister, Emily. 
 


Ben Tweedy
G | 6-4 | 185
Queensland, Australia | The Southport School

Coach Langel on Ben: "As a transfer, Ben of course enters our program with valuable NCAA playing and college life experience, but also significant playing experience at home in Australia. He combines play-making and scoring abilities and, as the son of a professional coach, a good understanding of the game.  We believe Ben will have a chance to hit the ground running and fit in seamlessly with all that has become Colgate Basketball."

Before Colgate
Appeared in 32 games, starting nine, as a first-year at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay…averaged 5.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game while posting 12 steals…shot 42.0 percent from the field (55-131) and 22.2 percent from behind the arc (6-27) while connecting on 82.1 percent from the free throw line (55-67). two-time state champion in high school…two-time honor roll…State MVP in 2023. 

Personal
Born: Ben Tweedy in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. 
Family: Son of Angela and Neal…has one brother, Jack, and a sister, Emily.