OXFORD, Miss. – As Chris Beard and his staff enter their third year in Oxford, they continue to build on the successes of their 2024-25 NCAA Tournament performance, unveiling their roster for the 2025-26 season on Monday.
The roster comprises 16 players, including four returners, eight transfers, and four first-year signees, marking the 116th season of Ole Miss men’s basketball. This team blends seasoned athletes with a promising influx of new talent, featuring two returners who participated in every game last season, transfers from prestigious schools like Butler, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, and LSU, as well as a trio of top-100 freshmen, including the highest-ranked recruit in the program’s history.
RETURNERS
Ole Miss welcomes back four players from last year’s roster: Zach Day, Malik Dia, Eduardo Klafke, and Max Smith.
Zach Day, who redshirted last season, averaged 24 points and 7.5 rebounds at Midland Christian and is ready to showcase his shooting skills after earning a scholarship. Malik Dia, a key contributor during the Rebels’ Sweet 16 run, averaged 10.8 points and 5.7 rebounds last season and had standout performances, including 23 points against No. 4 Alabama. Eduardo Klafke provided energy off the bench, while Max Smith returns as a senior leader after missing last season due to injury.
TRANSFERS
Eight transfers join Ole Miss this season, bringing experience from various high-profile college programs. Augusto Cassia, a 6’8″ forward, comes from Butler, where he averaged 5.1 points and 3.1 rebounds last season. Corey Chest, a former top-100 recruit from LSU, was a solid contributor before an injury cut his season short, averaging 6.1 points and 6.6 rebounds. Hobert Grayson had impressive stints at multiple junior colleges and earned NCAA Division II All-American honors last year.
Kezza Giffa, who led High Point to their first-ever NCAA Tournament, averaged 14.7 points last season, while Koren Johnson arrives after an injury at Louisville, looking to make an impact. Travis Perry, a notable high school scorer, joins after a season at Kentucky, and James Scott, a 6’11” forward from Louisville, averaged 7.1 points last year, boasting impressive statistics. AJ Storr, with a wealth of experience, joins from Kansas after achieving All-Big Ten Second Team honors at Wisconsin.
NEWCOMERS
The 2025 recruiting class, one of the best in Ole Miss history, includes four incoming freshmen, headlined by Niko Bundalo, the highest-rated recruit in program history. A McDonald’s All-American, Bundalo is recognized as a consensus top-40 recruit. Tylis Jordan adds depth to the front court, ranking highly among forwards nationally. Ilias Kamardine, 21, joins the team with professional experience in Europe, showcasing a scoring ability and defensive prowess.
Lastly, guard Patton Pinkins, a consensus top-100 recruit, will play alongside his father, assistant coach Al Pinkins, bringing high-level shooting ability to the squad. Following a season marked by record attendance, excitement for the 2025-26 season is building. Renewals for season tickets will open on July 1 for returning holders, with new season tickets available at OleMissTix.com.
Stay updated on Ole Miss Men’s Basketball by following the Rebels on X at @OleMissMBB, on Facebook at Ole Miss Men’s Basketball, and on Instagram at olemissmbb.
The roster comprises 16 players, including four returners, eight transfers, and four first-year signees, marking the 116th season of Ole Miss men’s basketball. This team blends seasoned athletes with a promising influx of new talent, featuring two returners who participated in every game last season, transfers from prestigious schools like Butler, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, and LSU, as well as a trio of top-100 freshmen, including the highest-ranked recruit in the program’s history.
RETURNERS
Ole Miss welcomes back four players from last year’s roster: Zach Day, Malik Dia, Eduardo Klafke, and Max Smith.
Zach Day, who redshirted last season, averaged 24 points and 7.5 rebounds at Midland Christian and is ready to showcase his shooting skills after earning a scholarship. Malik Dia, a key contributor during the Rebels’ Sweet 16 run, averaged 10.8 points and 5.7 rebounds last season and had standout performances, including 23 points against No. 4 Alabama. Eduardo Klafke provided energy off the bench, while Max Smith returns as a senior leader after missing last season due to injury.
TRANSFERS
Eight transfers join Ole Miss this season, bringing experience from various high-profile college programs. Augusto Cassia, a 6’8″ forward, comes from Butler, where he averaged 5.1 points and 3.1 rebounds last season. Corey Chest, a former top-100 recruit from LSU, was a solid contributor before an injury cut his season short, averaging 6.1 points and 6.6 rebounds. Hobert Grayson had impressive stints at multiple junior colleges and earned NCAA Division II All-American honors last year.
Kezza Giffa, who led High Point to their first-ever NCAA Tournament, averaged 14.7 points last season, while Koren Johnson arrives after an injury at Louisville, looking to make an impact. Travis Perry, a notable high school scorer, joins after a season at Kentucky, and James Scott, a 6’11” forward from Louisville, averaged 7.1 points last year, boasting impressive statistics. AJ Storr, with a wealth of experience, joins from Kansas after achieving All-Big Ten Second Team honors at Wisconsin.
NEWCOMERS
The 2025 recruiting class, one of the best in Ole Miss history, includes four incoming freshmen, headlined by Niko Bundalo, the highest-rated recruit in program history. A McDonald’s All-American, Bundalo is recognized as a consensus top-40 recruit. Tylis Jordan adds depth to the front court, ranking highly among forwards nationally. Ilias Kamardine, 21, joins the team with professional experience in Europe, showcasing a scoring ability and defensive prowess.
Lastly, guard Patton Pinkins, a consensus top-100 recruit, will play alongside his father, assistant coach Al Pinkins, bringing high-level shooting ability to the squad. Following a season marked by record attendance, excitement for the 2025-26 season is building. Renewals for season tickets will open on July 1 for returning holders, with new season tickets available at OleMissTix.com.
Stay updated on Ole Miss Men’s Basketball by following the Rebels on X at @OleMissMBB, on Facebook at Ole Miss Men’s Basketball, and on Instagram at olemissmbb.
