The Davenport men’s basketball program will be looking to turn the page and is eager for a fresh start in 2025-26. The Panthers were selected 10th in the GLIAC preseason coaches poll and are hoping to make the climb back up into the upper echelon of the conference. The program has had three straight sub-500 seasons since winning the 2022 GLIAC Tournament and getting a bid into the NCAA Division II Tournament.

The team will need to replace the top three scorers from last season: Jovan Tucker, Matyas Vrabel, and Joey Cabana. Dylan Smith had a fine freshman season in 2024-25. He played in 28 games and made 19 starts. Smith averaged 9.8 points and was second on the team and ninth in the GLIAC with six rebounds per game. He shot 50 percent from the floor and worked on converting better at the free-throw line in the offseason. Smith was selected to the GLIAC Preseason Second Team.

Aidan Moon saw his minutes double as a sophomore to 20 per game, and he also made 16 starts. Moon connected on 30 percent from the arc and contributed four points and 3.2 rebounds per contest. He provided one of his best games on Feb. 22 against Wayne State with a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, while hitting 5-of-6 behind the arc. Alden Ritt is also back in the frontcourt after playing in 26 games and making a pair of starts. Ritt shot 16-of-18 at the free-throw line and averaged 3.3 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.

Jonas VanderWoude is the final returning player who saw action last season. He averaged 11.7 minutes per game and connected on 16 triples. He had more assists (12) than turnovers (9) and also made three starts in the backcourt. The Panthers allowed 73 points per game last season, which ranked eighth in the league. They believe that improved guard play will contribute to better numbers in that area. The squad will also look to convert behind the arc at a higher rate after shooting 31.3 percent in 2024-25.\

Joining the team are a host of newcomers with a vast skill set. Marshaun Flakes spent last season at Grand Rapids Community College, where he was an elite scorer at 17.9 points per game. He even set the school record with 53 points in a game against Lake Michigan College on Jan. 15, 2025. Zavion McClendon was on the team last year, but did not see action as a redshirt. McClendon last played at Concordia (Mich.) University in 2023-24 and averaged 18.2 points per contest, while shooting 40.7 percent from the floor.

Keep an eye on a few upperclassmen transfers who will look to make an immediate impact. Curtis Jackson is a redshirt junior from Saginaw Valley State. Peter Fuchs Jr. spent last season at the University of Detroit-Mercy. Ken Walker is a dynamic guard who scored over 1,000 career points at Earlham College in just two seasons. Sangolay Njie brings good size at 6’ 7”, 200 pounds, and sat out last season after transferring from Roosevelt University.

Davenport begins the season at the GLVC/GLIAC Challenge hosted by William Jewell College. DU will tip off on Friday, Nov. 14, against Rockhurst University. They will have their home opener on Tuesday, Nov. 18, against Kuyper College at 7:00 PM.