2026 Offseason

[Matty B]

Jaxon Pardon is in the portal.

Pardon is joining his brother at Indiana Tech (NAIA)

[Falconwriter]

Just saw that 6'3" Talan Staley from S. Carolina (incoming freshman) has signed with BG. Looks to be a PG who averaged 14 ppg, 6 assists, 3, RB and 2 Steals per game. He shot 52 percent from the field and 39 percent from behind the arc. Would appear to be a very nice pickup, especially this late. He was top 5 in the state of S. Carolina overall, and has a rep for being a ball hawk both on offense and defense. He also was a good student, carrying a 4.0 gpa.

[mbenecke]

C/PF Leek Ateny from Kentucky has committed to BG in the class of 2026. He's 6'10 with long arms. Love the size.

[Matty B]

C/PF Leek Ateny from Kentucky has committed to BG in the class of 2026. He's 6'10 with long arms. Love the size.

Listed as a "stretch 4". Most of his offensive highlights come from the outside. Makes sense as he's only 200 pounds. Looks like he'll look to fill much of the Sam Towns role as (based on 2 minutes of highlights) they appear to have a similar skill set.

BG was his only D1 offer, but have also seen a lot of positive comments on how great of a kid he is. Love the pickup!!

[BleedOrange]

Wow, what an amazing pickup. With Torbert and Ateny, I'm wondering if more kids that would otherwise go to majors are picking mid-majors to ensure that they play right away.

Beautiful shooting mechanics and a shot blocking machine.

https://kysports.tv/2026/04/%F0%9F%9A%A ... %9F%9A%A8/

[BleedOrange]

This is what I think our scholarship roster looks like for next year. Any corrections? (Squire, Maxamud?)

This recruiting class looks like Simon's best haul by a good margin.


NEWCOMERS
Geu Ateny 6-11
Talan Staley 6-3
Christ Essandoko 7-0
Juan Cranford 6-4
Tristan Beckford 6-7
KJ Torber 6-4
Trey Simmons 6-1
Zach Howell 6-5

RETURNEES
Makhi Leach 6-2
Josiah Shackelford 6-4
Mohamed Maxamud 6-10
Preston Squire 6-11
Camden Karol 6-9
Aiden Goins 6-9

[guest44]

This is what I think our scholarship roster looks like for next year. Any corrections? (Squire, Maxamud?)

This recruiting class looks like Simon's best haul by a good margin.


NEWCOMERS
Geu Ateny 6-11
Talan Staley 6-3
Christ Essandoko 7-0
Juan Cranford 6-4
Tristan Beckford 6-7
KJ Torber 6-4
Trey Simmons 6-1
Zach Howell 6-5

RETURNEES
Makhi Leach 6-2
Josiah Shackelford 6-4
Mohamed Maxamud 6-10
Preston Squire 6-11
Camden Karol 6-9
Aiden Goins 6-9

Maxamud has graduated and is gone. I still think one spot left for a transfer with some experience and size.

[Flipper]

Christ! We got a 7 footer?

[BleedOrange]

Christ! We got a 7 footer?

Doh!

[Matty B]

BG has signed Jayden Johnson, 6'1" PG from South Carolina State. Averaged 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 Assists and 1.5 Steals.

He was the *Preseason* pick for MEAC player of the year last year, but ultimately landed on the 2nd team after SC St finished 5th in the conference.

[BillyLP]

BG has signed Jayden Johnson, 6'1" PG from South Carolina State. Averaged 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 Assists and 1.5 Steals.

He was the *Preseason* pick for MEAC player of the year last year, but ultimately landed on the 2nd team after SC St finished 5th in the conference.

I like this signing a lot. This is looking like a very strong roster.

[guest44]

Really solid add to get this late in the process. This team is going to be deep on big guards who can handle the ball. Maybe they finally really get up and down the floor like Simon has said he wanted to do since the beginning. Sometimes having such a ball dominate guard like Campbell and Hill slowed things down especially in the half court. If Karel or Leach make a big leap or Torbert is college ready as advertised it could be pretty good and interesting.

[BleedOrange]

NEWCOMERS
Geu Ateny 6-11
Talan Staley 6-3
Christ Essandoko 7-0
Juan Cranford 6-4
Tristan Beckford 6-7
KJ Torbert 6-4
Trey Simmons 6-1
Zach Howell 6-5
Jayden Johnson 6-1


RETURNEES
Makhi Leach 6-2
Josiah Shackelford 6-4
Preston Squire 6-11
Camden Karol 6-9
Aiden Goins 6-9

[fanatic13]

Simon extended through 2030. I think that's a 2 year extension then?

[fredthefalcon]

Dedivanaj is listed on the current 26-27 roster so that completes the 15 players allowed.