Omari Westley is the dominant forward that Cleveland State needs to build the starting lineup around. An accomplished scorer, Westley is best described as a playmaker who scores. He can score both inside and out, rebound, defend and block shots, giving Mike Garland the five-tool player needed to build the team around. After being away from competition for almost two years, Westley quickly shook off the rust last year to become the Vikings top all-around player.

2003-04 SEASON:
• Joined the program after sitting out the 2002-03 season after failing to meet NCAA initial eligibility standards following his transfer from Barton County Community College.
• Versatile performer who started every game he played, showing his scoring ability both inside and outside.
• Named to the Horizon League All-Newcomer team.
• Scored in double figures 22 times with 11 double-figure rebounding efforts and 11 double-doubles.
• Ran away with the Horizon League rebounding title, averaging 8.6 boards a game, more than one rebound better than second place Paul McMillan from Loyola (7.4).
• Led the team in field goal percentage (.480) and ranked second in scoring (14.8) and third in free throw percentage (.709).
• Tallied 22 points at Wright State, his fifth 20-point game of the year.
• Poured in 20 points, on eight-for-11 shooting, against Detroit.
• Scored 21 points with nine rebounds against Wright State.
• Poured in a career-high 30 points, on 12-for-18 shooting, vs. Loyola, adding 13 rebounds.
• Scored 19 points with a career-high 14 rebounds (10 offensive) and three blocks vs. Akron.
• Named the Horizon League Player of the Week on Dec. 1 after averaging 19.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists vs. Florida A&M and North Carolina.
• Scored 20 points with 11 rebounds and six assists vs. North Carolina, hitting 7-of-8 from the field and 6-of-7 from the line.
• Had streak of 19 straight free throws made snapped vs. North Carolina. • Scored a 18 points at Florida A&M, going 14-for-19 from the line and making his last 13 free throws.
• Scored 12 points with 10 rebounds vs. Central State.
• Averaged 13.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in the two exhibition wins, posting a double-double in each contest.

PRE-CLEVELAND STATE:
• Ranked as one of the top six forwards in the country as a sophomore at Barton County Community College, playing for coach Ryan Wolf.
• Averaged 13.0 points and 6.9 rebounds a game as a sophomore, shooting .591 from the field and .723 from the line.
• Averaged eight points a game and shot better than 70 pecrcent from the field as a freshman at Wabash Valley, helping lead team to the NJCAA national title.
• Ranked as one of the top players in Ohio as a senior at East Cleveland Shaw High, playing for coach Leon Hines.
• Averaged 20.4 points, 14.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game as a senior, shooting 65 percent from the field, 75 percent from the line and 37 percent from three-point.
• Played first three high school seasons at John F. Kenndey High in Cleveland. Averaged 24.2 points, 16.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists as a junior.

PERSONAL:
Born Feb. 3, 1982 in Cleveland. . . son of Robert and Gloria Westley. . . has one older brother. . . urban affairs major.