LOUDONVILLE, NY – Siena Basketball Head Coach Carmen Maciariello has announced the addition of four impact newcomers. Graduate transfer Anthony Gaines (Northwestern), transfers Jayce Johnson (Middle Tennessee) and Colby Rogers (Cal Poly), and freshman Taihland Owens are set to join the Saints' roster for the upcoming 2021-22 season.
 
"It is with great excitement that we welcome these new additions to our Siena Basketball family," said Maciariello. "We are looking to be able to play at a faster tempo with the newcomers we've added so far for next season. All four of these young men we added today are capable of making plays both for themselves and one another. We've added much needed athleticism and physicality with our newcomers, and the ability to secure extra possessions off the glass will be a much utilized weapon for us."
 
Gaines will have two seasons of eligibility with Siena after spending the past four years at Northwestern, where he served as team captain each of the past two seasons. The Kingston, New York native appeared in 97 career games including 35 starts for the Wildcats, averaging 5.1 points and 3.8 rebounds spanning 22.8 minutes. The 6-4, 210-pound guard saw action in 23 games including five starts this past season, averaging 3.9 points and 4.4 rebounds in 20.9 minutes. He scored a season-high 11 points at Rutgers (Feb. 13), and added a pair of double digit rebound performances highlighted by a career-high 12-rebound effort in a win over Chicago State (Dec. 5).
 
Gaines started all 10 games he appeared in during an injury-shortened 2019-20 season at Northwestern, averaging 5.9 points and 3.6 rebounds in 26.5 minutes. He posted career-high averages of 6.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 27.3 minutes in 32 games (15 starts) as a sophomore in 2018-19, while his freshman season was highlighted by a 10-point, five-rebound, four-assist performance in his first collegiate start vs. No. 2/1 Michigan State.
 
Gaines was rated the top player in the State of New Hampshire by ESPN.com and a top-150 national recruit by 247 Sports out of New Hampton School. A Second Team All-NEPSAC selection who participated in the Jordan Brand Regional Game his senior season, he led NHS to a NEPSAC AAA Regular Season Championship and No. 3 prep school national ranking as a junior. Gaines played AAU for the Albany City Rocks, who he helped qualify for the Nike Peach Jam while averaging 16 points and nine rebounds on the Nike EYBL circuit during the summer of 2016.  
 
"Anthony brings tremendous character and versatility to our program," remarked Maciariello. "He's a big, athletic guard who provides valuable experience and leadership as a two-year captain at a Big Ten program. I've known Anthony since he was a sophomore at Kingston High School, and am excited to have him join our program."
 
Johnson joins Siena after spending the past three seasons at Middle Tennessee, where he averaged 7.0 points and 4.7 rebounds in 24.8 minutes spanning 80 career games including 58 starts for the Blue Raiders. The 6-5, 210-pound guard from Buffalo, New York saw action in 18 games (11 starts) this past winter, averaging 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 20.4 minutes of action. He scored a season-high 13 points at UAB (Jan. 31).
 
Johnson posted career-highs of 8.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and a .452 field goal percentage in 31 appearances (23 starts) as a sophomore in 2019-20. He led Middle Tennessee in offensive (57), defensive (103), and total rebounding (160), and scored a career-high 22 points at Florida Atlantic. Johnson made 31 appearances including 24 starts as a freshman in 2018-19, averaging 6.5 points and 4.9 rebounds in 27.9 minutes, while ranking second on the Blue Raiders with 63 assists.
 
Johnson averaged 12.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in his final prep season at Canisius High to earn Third Team All-Western New York honors. He led Canisius to a NYSPHSAA Class A Championship as a sophomore.
 
"Jayce is a big, physical guard who, like Anthony, brings tremendous versatility," explained Maciariello. "He can start the break, and run a team. An exceptional athlete who originally committed to play quarterback on the football team at Wagner, Jayce is another student athlete of the highest character."
 
Rogers matriculates to Siena after spending the past two seasons at Cal Poly, where he was the team's second leading scorer both years. The 6-5, 190-pound guard out of Covington, Georgia appeared in 49 career games including 25 starts in his two seasons with the Mustangs, averaging 10.0 points over 26.0 minutes.
 
Rogers started 18 of 19 games played this past season, averaging 12.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in a team-high 31.8 minutes. He scored in double figures in each of his final seven games, highlighted by a pair of career-high 21-point performances. Rogers scored 8.6 points in 22.3 minutes in 30 games (seven starts) as a freshman, while shooting 36% from three-point range on 41 made threes.
 
Rogers played for Roselle Catholic in New Jersey, where he averaged 12.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting 63.8% from the field. He led Roselle Catholic to a 28-4 record and No. 17 ranking in the USA Today Super-25 National Poll. Rogers was previously a three-year letterwinner at Newton High in Georgia which he guided to an 82-11 record.
 
"Colby is an attacking, scoring guard who can also play multiple positions," noted Maciariello. "On or off the ball, you always have to know where he is."
 
Owens becomes the third incoming freshman set to join the Saints next season. The 6-4, 180-pound guard from Canton, Georgia averaged 18 points last season while starring for head coach Roger Kvam at Cherokee High. Owens was named a Class 7A Second Team All-State selection in 2019-20, and an Honorable Mention All-State honoree this past season. He played his AAU basketball for Georgia Stars Select and head coach James Kang.
 
"Taihland is a talented student athlete who, like Colby, can really score the ball," commented Maciariello. "He has a business-like approach to all that he does, and we can't wait to coach him."
 
Siena so far has now secured six newcomers for the 2021-22 season. Gaines, Johnson, Rogers, and Owens join incoming freshmen Jared Billups and Javian McCollum who previously signed their National Letters of Intent during the early signing period last November. The newcomers join a Siena Basketball program looking to build upon back-to-back MAAC Regular Season Championships.