GLENSIDE - The Arcadia University men's basketball team will look to return to the summit of the league in 2025-26 when it kicks off the season this Friday, with Arcadia selected to finish first in the annual Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) Preseason Coaches Poll.
"It helps the group as a whole." Head Coach Van Zelst said. "A lot of guys getting put into positions of playing major minutes and meaningful basketball situations. now it creates a great depth situation for us in multiple positions we have a lot of experience."
In the backcourt, the Knights welcome back to familiar faces who missed the entire 2024-25 season in
Nas Johnson and
Darius Isaac. Johnson, when last played in 2023-24, was named First Team All-MAC Freedom after averaging 15.7 points-per-game while that same season Isaac doubled his scoring average to 7.9 ppg as a sophomore. Returners joining Johnson and Isaac include Honorable Mention All-MAC Freedom and MAC Freedom Rookie of the Year
Jamison Lynam,
Josh Parks, who averaged 11 ppg last year,
Latrell Bullock,
Chris Williams,
Keenan Reiss,
Marquis Kubish,
Kahmai Clark,
Jorden Jones,
Tymir Smalls, and
Alex Hermann. Newcomer
Cole Willey will look to carve out a role with a deep guard group in his first season as well.
In the frontcourt, Honorable Mention All-MAC Freedom honoree
Joshua Okocha returns to lead the group after averaging 13.3 ppg, and 5.8 rebounds-per-game. Returners joining Okocha are
Debarrin Norman,
Jordan Taylor,
Corey Attivo,
Amyr Walker, and
Kyndall Crawford. First-year
Tysicere Jackson will looks to make headway during his initial campaign.
The Knights kick off the 2025-26 season on Friday when they travel to Penn State Abington for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off. Arcadia opens its home season on November 12th against Gwynedd Mercy for the Battle of 309, with MAC Freedom play commencing January 7th at home against Delaware Valley.
