Oklahoma State head coach Steve Lutz announced the signing of high-flying fifth year Marchelus "Chi Chi" Avery to a financial aid agreement.

One of the nation's most-athletic forwards, the 6-foot-7 Avery averaged 7.6 points and 4.0 rebounds last season for UCF. He served as the Knight's sixth man while splitting time between the No. 3 and 4 spots in the lineup.

"In Chi Chi, we're getting a great kid who has the rare combination of experience and upside. He's a supreme athlete who continues to add to his game and will benefit this spring from a chance to explore the NBA Draft waters. Offensively, he can score from just about anywhere, and his size and skill will help create mismatches for us on both ends of the court."

Prior to UCF, Avery played two seasons for New Mexico State and was part of an Aggie team that swept the WAC's 2021 regular season and tournament titles and upset UConn in the NCAA tournament. He averaged 8.2 points during the 2022-23 season while shooting 42% from three-point range.

Avery played his freshman season at JUCO powerhouse Northwest Florida State College following a year with the postgraduate program at Central Pointe Christian Academy in Kissimmee, Fla. Before that, the Richmond, Va. native was a two-time all-state selection at Life Christian Academy, winning Division III player of the year honors and a state title in final go-around.

Avery is the fourth member of Oklahoma State's 2024 recruiting class and the third Division I transfer, joined by FIU guard Arturo Dean and Texas Tech forward Robert Jennings. PHHoenix Prep guard Jeremiah Johnson signed last fall.