HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison Head Coach Preston Spradlin announced his first three signees to the men's basketball program since his hire in transfers Luke Anderson, AJ Smith and Ebenezer Dowuona.
 
Both Anderson and Dowuona have one season of eligibility, while Smith has a pair of seasons of eligibility remaining.
 
Luke Anderson | Forward | 6-7 | 225 | Lakeland, Fla. | Lakeland (Florida Southern)

• Transfers to JMU after three seasons at Florida Southern (2021-24) and two at USF (2019-21) after beginning career at Iowa State in Fall 2019
• Played in 83 career games with 69 starts at FSC
• Appeared in four games at USF in 2020-21 and redshirted 2019-20 campaign
• 2023-24 NABC Division II Player of the Year Finalist
• 2023-24 NABC All-American and First Team All-South District
• 2023-24 D2 CCA Third Team All-American and First Team All-South Region
• 2023-24 Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year and First Team All-SSC
• Last season averaged 19.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists
• In career, has scored 1,231 points shooting 40% from both the field and three-point range while converting 81% from the free throw line
• Also has tallied 503 rebounds, 149 assists, 72 blocks and 70 steals in career

 
Spradlin on Anderson: "Luke is a high level shooter and scorer who has experience at all levels of basketball. His size and skill will provide a mismatch problem within our league, and his experience will prove to be impactful immediately here at JMU."
 
AJ Smith | Guard/Forward | 6-6 | 215 | Edwardsville, Ill. | Metro East Lutheran (Southern Indiana)

• Transfers to JMU after two seasons at Southern Indiana (2022-24)
• Played in 49 career games with 32 starts
• Started all 31 games he played at USI last season
• Last season averaged 13.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals
• Ranked 13th in Ohio Valley Conference in scoring and fourth in rebounding in 2023-24
• In career, has scored 455 points while shooting 41% from the field and 78% from the free throw line
• Also has produced 301 rebounds, 48 assists, 40 steals and 21 blocks

 
Spradlin on Smith: "AJ is a versatile wing who we had competed against in the OVC the past couple seasons. He is a strong, skilled player who can impact with his shooting, rebounding and toughness. We are excited to take the familiarity we have with him and develop him into an impactful player in the Sun Belt."
 
Ebenezer Dowuona | Forward | 6-11 | 230 | Accra, Ghana | The Heritage School (Georgia Tech)

• Transfers to JMU after one season at Georgia Tech (2023-24) and three at NC State (2020-23)
• Played in 88 career games with 43 starts
• Appeared in 18 games last season with 13 starts for Georgia Tech and started 30 of his 70 outings at NC State
• Last season accrued 18 points, 25 rebounds, five blocks, two assists and a steal
• In career, has scored 202 points while shooting 50% from the field and 60% from the free throw line
• Also has tallied 217 rebounds, 87 blocks, nine assists and 18 steals
• Had a single-season best 54 blocks in 31 games in 2021-22

 
Spradlin on Dowuona: "Ebe has the chance to be the most dominant defensive player in the Sun Belt. He has proven that he can compete at the ACC level, and coming to JMU will provide him with the usage that will allow him to expand on his skill set. As an elite athlete who can play above the rim and protect the paint, he will be an important part of this team's success."
 
The trio join John Marshall High School senior guard Redd Thompson, who signed his National Letter of Intent back in November.