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2025-26 Schedule |
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2024-25 Statistics
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - Expectations are always high for the Williams College men's basketball team and that remains consistent going into the 2025-26 season.
The Ephs begin their journey with three consecutive home games, as they will host SUNY Morrisville and Alfred University at 3 p.m. on Nov. 15 and 16, respectively, during the Williams Tipoff Tournament in Chandler Gymnasium. Then, Williams hosts Oneonta on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m.
"The first 10 days of practice have been exciting," said 11th-year head coach
Kevin App. "We have a group that looks ready to find its identity and is ready to apply what we learned last season."
The unit will be led by a six-person senior class, featuring
Onyeraluobu Chibuogwu,
Sammy Cooley,
Alex Lee,
Isiaha Dickens,
Hudson Hansen and
Ben McGraw. Lee started all 25 games for the 2024-25 team, leading the unit in points per game (13.2), while shooting 48.9% from the field (114 of 233), 42.0% on 3-pointers (42 of 100) and 83.1% from the free-throw line (59 of 71). The Houston, Texas, native ranked fifth and ninth, respectively, in the NESCAC in free-throw percentage and field-goal percentage.
"I am very excited for the season," said Lee. "It is my last go around with this great group of guys and I am looking forward to making it the best one. Team spirit is really high right now and we are feeling really connected. I would say one of our keys to success is taking a day-by-day approach to practices and games and having fun competing with or against each other."
Hansen led the team in total rebounds (132), defensive rebounds (98), offensive rebounds (34) and rebounds per game (5.3), while ranking second in points per game (11.8). Cooley appeared in all 25 games and made seven starts, shooting 44.8% on 3-point shots (13 for 29), while Dickens shot 50.0% from the field (12 for 24). Chibuogwu went 2 for 2 on 3-pointers off the bench during a 74-40 win at Worcester State on Jan. 4. McGraw finished with two points and one rebound against Little Three-rival Wesleyan on Jan. 10 in Middletown, Connecticut.
"Our six seniors look poised to lead this group and demonstrate what it looks like to consistently play winning basketball," said App. "We cannot wait to start our competitive schedule with four of our first five games at home."
Also returning for the squad this season are
Matt DeVine '27,
Justin Belcher '28,
Aidan Yates '28,
Matthew Nachamkin '28,
Tyler Van Gorp '27,
Jackson Rein '28 and
Dylan Shepherd '28. The first-year class includes
Solomon Marshall,
Wes Gudeman,
Khalil Carlson,
Ty Kuehl and
EJ Sommers.
Trey Livingston enters his second season as an assistant coach, while
Ryan Behan begins his first year as an assistant.
The Ephs travel to Little Three-rival Wesleyan for a non-conference game on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 4:30 p.m., and then open NESCAC competition on Friday, Jan. 9, with a 7 p.m. matchup against the Cardinals in Chandler Gymnasium. Williams competes at Amherst in non-conference action on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m., and then hosts the Mammoths in the regular-season finale on Saturday, Feb. 14, at 3 p.m.
"The NESCAC will be incredibly competitive, as always, but I am excited for what our team can become," said App. "Regardless, our school and community will enjoy watching them play for each other with humility and a commitment to excellence."
The Ephs went 15-10 overall last year and have compiled an abundance of success since App took over the program ahead of the 2014-15 season. The 2016-17 team went to the NCAA Division III Final Four, and one year later, the 2017-18 squad hoisted the NESCAC Championship. The team has reached the national stage six times under App's guidance and competed in four conference championship games.
"It is important that we trust the coaches and buy into the scheme and our roles," said Lee. "Off the court, sacrifice is going to be big for us. The more willing we are to get extra work in, take care of our bodies, get proper sleep and eat right the better prepared we will be toward the end of the long season."
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