CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland State men's basketball head coach Dennis Gates announced today that junior forward Algevon Eichelberger will be returning to the Vikings for the 2020-21 season.
"I am excited Al has made the decision to become a graduate student here at Cleveland State University," Gates said. "The strides he made this past season were remarkable. I am looking forward to coaching him and seeing the next level of impact he has on this program in the classroom, on the court and in our community."
Eichelberger is coming off of a career season, in which he averaged a career-high 14.5 points, a career-high 6.4 rebounds and a career-high 1.2 assists in a career-high 27.5 minutes per game. A 2019-20 Horizon League All-Third Team selection, he ranked fifth in the league in field goal percentage (.464), seventh in rebounds per game (6.4) and blocks per game (0.9), and 13th in points per game (14.5).
"The main things that impacted my decision to stay was the love that I have for this city and the great people that are in this program," said Eichelberger. "I came here three years ago with a goal to change the culture back into a winning one. Being around the best coaches, teammates, and fans in the world – there's no better feeling. In the end, I know that I made the right decision."
The Saginaw, Michigan, product poured in 10-plus points in 25 of his 29 contests during the 2019-20 campaign, including finishing the season topping double-digit outings in 20 consecutive games. Eichelberger notched a career-high 28 points at Oakland on Feb. 13, 2020 and pulled down a career-best 13 rebounds on three separate occasions.
"First of all, I'd like to thank God for blessing Algevon to make it to this point," said Algevon Eichelberger Sr. "Coach Gates and his staff have been instrumental in Algevon's growth this past season. They have to be one of the top, if not the top, staff in the mid-major college basketball realm. With Algevon returning, I expect continued growth from him as a player and as young man. I know Coach Gates will help guide him with both. To Cleveland State and all of their fans: thank you for having him!"
Eichelberger, who led the Vikings in points, rebounds and blocks, was key in Cleveland State's success during the 2019-20 season, which included winning seven league games (the most since 2014-15), winning three straight non-conference games (first time since 2011-12) and winning three straight league games (first time since 2014-15).
Since transferring from DePaul, Eichelberger has appeared in 60 games for the Vikings (41 starts) and is averaging 9.7 points and 4.8 rebounds in 20.2 minutes.
