Dynamic forward De’Sean Allen-Eikens is a ‘unique’ talent perfectly suited to impact Super League Basketball (SLB).

That’s the verdict of head coach Marc Stuetel after Newcastle Eagles added a standout NCAA Division One star to the club’s ever-expanding roster.

Allen-Eikens averaged an impressive 18 points, five rebounds and two assists per game for Cal State University Northridge during the 2023/24 campaign.


Allen-Eikens was a standout star with the Matadors in NCAA D1.

And the 24-year-old capped off a superb season in style — bagging a combined 79 points and 21 boards in his final three games for the Matadors.

“De’Sean is a really unique and talented basketball player,” said a delighted Steutel after snapping up the versatile hooper.

“He has demonstrated his unique attributes throughout his college career and particularly last season.


“As a high IQ and skilled forward we expect him to be able to make an impact in the SBL in the right areas of the game.

“We are delighted to see him at the VMA.”

Allen-Eikens earned All-Big West First Team honours in his senior year at Cal State after playing all 32 games for the Matadors the previous season.

The 6ft 7in North Dakota native set new career highs in points, rebounds and assists and scored the sixth most points in team history during the 2023/24 campaign.


Allen-Eikens was ranked fourth in the Big West in points per game and minutes per game.

And in March he claimed a career high of 34 points on 14-of-23 shooting at Hawai’i — scoring 22 points in 39 minutes against the same opposition in the Big West quarter-finals just days later.

The exciting American joins Marc Steutel’s 2024-25 Eagles roster with an impressive stat sheet.

“I’m so excited to be a Newcastle Eagle,” Allen-Eikens remarked.

“I’ve seen it’s the most storied franchise in the history of British basketball and I’m excited to be able to put the jersey on and add to that rich history this year.”

Newcastle tip-off their SLB Trophy campaign against fierce rivals Sheffield Sharks at the Vertu Motors Arena on September 27.

And Steutel has put together a three-game pre-season programme in advance of a return to competitive action — tipping off with a Tyneside derby against Newcastle University Knights on September 8.

Tickets for the warm-up games and this coming Friday’s first-of-its-kind team introduction night, The Launch, are available from the box office.