SIUE’s Head Coach, Brian Barone, is delighted to announce the addition of Ring Malith from Twic, South Sudan, to the men’s basketball team for the upcoming 2024-25 season. Standing at 6 feet 9 inches, Malith is a guard/forward who brings a wealth of talent and experience to the team, having previously played for the NJCAA National Champion Barton Community College.
During the 2023-24 season, Barton Community College achieved an outstanding record of 36-1, winning 27 consecutive games and ultimately securing a championship victory over Triton College, with Malith contributing 22 points and five rebounds.
Malith is enthusiastic about joining SIUE, demonstrating confidence in Coach Barone and the entire coaching staff. He is eager to contribute to the team’s pursuit of championships and is dedicated to reaching his full potential as a player. Additionally, Malith views SIUE as an ideal environment for his personal and athletic development, with aspirations to compete for OVC championships.
His performance at Barton Community College speaks volumes, having started all 37 games and averaging 12.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 19 blocks per game. Notably, he achieved an impressive 47 percent field goal shooting rate, including 38 percent from three-point range.
Coach Barone is confident that Malith’s addition to the team will have an immediate and positive impact, both on the court and within the community. Acknowledging Malith’s significant role in Barton Community College’s championship success, Coach Barone believes that Malith’s exceptional and diverse skill set will be invaluable to the team.
As a freshman in the 2022-23 season, Malith displayed promise, averaging 6.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in 32 appearances. With Malith now joining Cham Okey and JaMir Price as part of Barone’s 2024 recruiting class, the future looks promising for SIUE basketball.
SIUE’s 2023 season saw the team achieve a 17-16 overall record, marking the first instance of back-to-back winning seasons since transitioning to Division I. With the addition of Malith and other impressive recruits, the team is poised for further success in the upcoming season.