The UMass Lowell River Hawks basketball program is hitting the reset button, embarking on a complete rebuild for the 2025-26 season. After a few seasons of near misses, the team is looking to revamp its roster and strategy. This article will delve into the exciting changes happening within the UMass Lowell men's basketball team, offering fans a glimpse into the future. But here's where it gets interesting... Last season's team saw its journey cut short, leading to a pivotal moment for the River Hawks. A new chapter is now being written.
This offseason brought a stark reality: the team had to start from scratch, with zero points, rebounds, or assists returning from the previous season. This meant a complete overhaul, orchestrated by Head Coach Pat Duquette and his staff. They've focused heavily on the transfer portal and recruiting to build a competitive team for the 2025-26 campaign.
The task of leading this new era falls to three returning players: forward Keenan Bey and guards Isaiah Walters and Kris Johnson. While they didn't see much action last year, they'll play a crucial role in integrating the new talent. Speaking of which, the team is welcoming a wave of fresh faces, including eight players from the transfer portal and two promising recruits. Let's meet the new River Hawks!
The New Faces: A Mix of International, Collegiate, and Prep Talent
The 2025-26 squad is built on a foundation of experience and potential:
The Recruits
- Victor Okojie: A 6-foot-8 forward from Ireland, Okojie brings an impressive background, having reached the national finals in his sophomore year. He then honed his skills competing against nationally ranked teams in the United States.
- JJ Massaquoi: A 6-foot-6 guard from Maryland, Massaquoi was a scoring machine in high school, averaging 22 points on 67% shooting. He also grabbed 8 rebounds per game, earning him multiple All-Star honors.
The Portal Additions
Coach Duquette strategically targeted players with experience at the mid-major and high-major levels:
- Darrel Yepdo: A 6-foot guard from Massachusetts, Yepdo joins from Saint Michael’s College, where he was a top scorer in his league, earning All-League honors.
- Xavier Spencer: A 6-foot-1 guard from Canada, Spencer brings impressive credentials from Carleton University. He was named U Sports Rookie of the Year and OUA Rookie of the Year.
- Shawn Simmons II: A 6-foot-6 forward from Philadelphia, PA, played at St. Joseph’s (A-10). Simmons is a prolific scorer, having registered 1,000 career points in just three years at Hillcrest Prep before his college career.
- Austin Reed: A 6-foot-8 forward from New Jersey, played last year at Texas State. Reed showed his potential with a double-double against Georgia State (10 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists).
- Jared Frey: A 6-foot-6 guard from Ohio, spent three years at Stony Brook, where he averaged 6.8 points over 22 minutes per game. He was named Rookie of the Week on December 11, 2023.
- Angel Montas Jr.: A 6-foot-6 guard from the Dominican Republic, arrives after one season at Mercer.
- Jerrell Roberson II: A 6-foot-9 forward from Maryland, joins after three seasons with James Madison.
- Khalil Farmer: A 6-foot-3 guard from Philadelphia, PA, comes from Hofstra University.
A Challenging Road Ahead
Like many teams from smaller conferences, the River Hawks will face a tough start to the season, with ten of their twelve non-conference games on the road. This includes challenging matchups against Power-Four opponents: Connecticut, Wake Forest, and Iowa.
For the UMass Lowell River Hawks in 2025-26, the season is set to be a challenging test and a fascinating experiment in team building.
What are your thoughts on the team's new additions? Do you think the River Hawks have what it takes to make a run in the conference? Share your opinions in the comments below!
