Kadeem Smithen to return to Siena

LOUDONVILLE — Siena confirmed Tuesday afternoon that redshirt senior Kadeem Smithen would return to the program for his final year of eligibility.

It was speculated towards the end of the season that Smithen would spend a year as a graduate transfer after receiving his undergrad diploma last month, but now that is not the case.

“Kadeem provides excellent experience and a high level of hunger and understanding,” Siena first-year coach Jamion Christian said in a release. “For us to be back at the top of the MAAC, we need both. We need Kadeem not only to help bring the younger guys along, but to also lead by example. He has a tremendous ability to do both.”

After initially transferring from Richmond, he has played 63 games with Siena, averaging 3.5 points per game, and averaged five points per game last season, a year that included 15 starts. He really came on strong at the end of the season as he averaged 8.9 points per contest in eight starts in the month of February.

The release Tuesday also confirmed the commitments of incoming freshman Jalen Pickett and Sloan Seymour as well as the incoming Mount St. Mary’s transfer of Donald Carey.  

“I’m really excited about our first few signings,” Christian said. “They are dynamic players in their own right, and have an incredible enthusiasm for putting Siena back at the top of the MAAC. They each address different areas of need, increasing our shooting ability from the outside and our overall playmaking capability.”