Davis Signs Trio In Class Of 2020

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Central Michigan men's basketball coach Keno Davis announced today his 2020 signing class, which comprises three players, two of which are junior-college transfers.

Ralph Bissainthe of North Miami, Fla., Demarcus Demonia of Fort Washington, Md., and Ra'Shad Weekly-McDaniels of St. Louis comprise the class.

The trio will join a highly successful program that has won 100 games combined over the past five seasons, finishing .500 or better in each of those campaigns. It marks the first time CMU has accomplished that feat since the early 1970s.

Bissainthe and Demonia are the two junior-college transfers and both are guard/forwards. Bissainthe is 6-foot-7 and comes to CMU from Florida Southwestern College, while Demonia is 6-6 and played two years at Allegany (Md.) College. Both are juniors and both are eligible to play in 2020-21.

Weekly-McDaniels is a 6-1 guard from Trinity Catholic High School. His prep coach, Jeff McCaw, said Weekly-McDaniels "is the most exciting guard I have ever coached."

"With our first commitment of the 2020 class," CMU coach Keno Davis said, "our staff was looking for a student-athlete with high character combined with great ability. We believe that we succeeded with the signing of Rashad Weekly-McDaniels. He is a playmaking guard with great leadership qualities and he should immediately fit in with our team."

Said Andre McMurray, who coached Weekly-McDaniels on the AAU Southwest Illinois Jets, "Rashad is a great kid with a personality; as a player he is a dynamic scorer, but he is underrated as a passer."

Bissainthe, who spent his freshman season at Illinois-Chicago, is averaging 9.8 points and 4.4 rebounds in helping Florida Southwestern College to a 5-0 start.

"Ralph comes to us with a unique combination of size, ability and athleticism," Davis said. "Ralph is a very versatile player who can play multiple positions on both ends of the court. We feel that his skill level and experience will help him make an immediate impact at CMU."

Demonia, Davis said, "is an explosive talent with great potential. Demarcus can impact the game in all areas, offensively, defensively and on the boards. It is easy to see why he is a first Team Junior College All-American."

Demonia averaged 21.3 points and 11.9 rebounds per game in leading Allegany to district and regional championships a year ago. He led all junior college players in rebounds per game. He was a Third Team All-America selection as a freshman in 2017-18.

Ralph Bissainthe • 6-7 • Jr. • Guard/Forward • North Miami, Fla./Florida Southwestern College
Averaging 9.8 points and 4.4 rebounds, helping Florida Southwestern College to a 5-0 start to the 2019-20 season … spent his freshman season at Illinois-Chicago … earned three letters at McArthur High School in Hollywood, Fla. … served as team captain … led the Mustangs to a regional final … topped the team in points, blocks and steals … averaged 15 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals … in 2016-17, named all-county, the Kreul Classic MVP and to the RPS205 Tip Off Classic First Team.

Demarcus Demonia • 6-6 • Jr. • Guard/Forward • Fort Washington, Md./Allegany College
Named First Team Junior College All-American in 2018-19 at Allegany College … led the nation in rebounding, averaging 11.9 boards per game in addition to 21.3 points … won District 3 and Region XX championships while earning first team all-region honors … selected student-athlete of the month in January 2018 … recognized as a Third Team Junior College All-American as a freshman after averaging 18.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game … reached the 1,000-point and 500-rebound milestones in just two seasons at Allegany … scored 14 points and collected 7 rebounds in senior season at Friendly High School in Fort Washington, Md. … averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds as a junior … played AAU ball in 2016 with the Maryland Ruff Riders.

Ra'Shad Weekly-McDaniels • 6-1 • Fr. • Guard • St. Louis, Mo./Trinity Catholic HS
Averaged 26.4 points per game this fall in the Ramey Basketball League … in a head-to-head match-up with another DI point guard commit, scored 30 points in the first half, knocking down 8 3-pointers to finish with a team-high 39 … led Trinity Catholic to a district championship in 2018 … posted 26 points versus nationally-ranked Vashon HS … played AAU ball with the Southwest Illinois Jets.

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