The Oregon State Beavers men’s basketball team is sporting a fresh appearance, a unified purpose, and ambitious goals.
Head coach Wayne Tinkle aims for his third NCAA tournament appearance in his twelfth year with the Beavers. Last season, Oregon State recorded a 20-13 mark—its top performance since the 2020-21 season during its stint in the West Coast Conference. The Beavers matched their season record from both the 2020-21 and 2024-25 campaigns, marking their latest winning seasons.
“We let some games slip away in the final stretch,” Tinkle reflected on last season. “I think we lost our focus due to the circumstances at that time. This group wants to build on that experience. The goal is to secure more wins, elevate our position in the WCC, and ultimately reach the NCAA tournament.”
Roster Changes and New Beginnings
This past weekend, Tinkle gained an initial glimpse of his 2025-26 squad. The Beavers triumphed over Cal, 76-66, in a closed scrimmage at St. Mary’s campus. This is a positive development for a team that only returns six players—none of whom started more than seven games last year.
The transfer portal significantly impacted the Beavers, as their top four scorers—Michael Rataj, Parsa Fallah, Damarco Minor, and Nate Kingz—all departed. Minor and Kingz have secured spots in the ACC, with Rataj reportedly signing a $2 million deal with Baylor, while Fallah has joined Oklahoma State.
Diverse New Faces
In response, Oregon State welcomed nine newcomers to fill the void left by the departed players. The current roster comprises 15 players, with 10 hailing from outside the United States, representing nine countries—including Australia, Canada, and Spain. This year’s roster shines with international flair.
Among the new players, center Yaak Yaak and forward Stephen Olowoniyi represent Australia, while forwards Yarkurt and Munch come from Turkey and Denmark, respectively. They are joined by freshmen from Slovenia and Finland, as well as a mix of domestic talent, including Lake II and Williford, adding excitement to the backcourt.
Playstyle Adjustments
Tinkle noted that the international diversity in the roster reflects the evolving landscape of college basketball. “We’re not solely targeting European players; it’s simply how the game is changing with NIL and revenue-sharing dynamics,” he explained. The Beavers aim to emphasize a team-oriented style of play that fits the skills of their taller, more agile roster.
The Beavers, looking to implement a fast-paced, ball-moving strategy, are tailoring their approach to fit their assorted skill sets while still embracing traditional concepts of post play. Their season unofficially kicks off with an exhibition against DII Western Oregon on October 25 at Gill Coliseum, followed by a regular-season opener against North Dakota State on November 2.
