CLEVELAND, Ohio – Reigning Horizon League Coach of the Year Dennis Gates has announced the addition of transfer forward Julian Lual for the 2022-23 campaign. 

"We are excited to welcome Julian to the Viking family, his athleticism and defensive mentality will be a great fit for us on the court," Gates said. "Julian exemplifies our eight core values on and off the court, and will be a tremendous asset to not only our men's basketball program, but to the entire athletic department and university."

Lual will join the Vikings for the 2022-23 campaign as a junior, after spending his first two collegiate seasons at McCook Community College.

As a freshman, Lual started all 25 games averaging 10.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 45-percent from the field. Lual was instrumental in McCook's upset victory in the Region IX Tournament last season, as he finished with a career-high 24 points as MCC defeated top-seeded Laramie County Community College en route to finishing as the tournament's runner-up. 

Following his freshman season, Lual was named Honorable Mention Omaha World-Herald All-Midlands Team.

"Julian is a special young man, not only does he have an exceptional basketball talent, but he has an exceptional character as well," McCook Community College head coach Jacob Brandl said. "For us, he embodies what we want a student-athlete and a leader to be. We ask him to do a lot for our basketball program on a daily basis, from leadership, to rebounding, to scoring points, and Julian has risen to the challenge and has shined in this role. I am extremely happy for him and his decision to join the Cleveland State family. There is no doubt in my mind that he will thrive at CSU. 

So far this season, Lual is averaging 12.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game, notching a .359 clip from the floor.