Men's Basketball | 11/4/2026 11:00:00 AM

ERIE, Pa. – The Gannon men's basketball team enters the 2026-27 season with a new challenge after making history a year ago. Coming off the program's first NCAA Division II National Championship, the Golden Knights begin their title defense ranked No. 3 nationally in the NABC Division II Preseason Poll and selected as the preseason favorite in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division.

Head coach Easton Bazzoli enters his third season leading the Golden Knights after guiding Gannon to a program-record 34 victories and the first team national championship in Gannon Athletics history. With eight players returning from last year's championship roster and seven newcomers joining the program, Gannon will look to build on its historic success while replacing several key contributors.

The Golden Knights received six first-place votes in the NABC preseason poll, earning the highest preseason national ranking in program history. Gannon also received eight of nine first-place votes in the PSAC West preseason poll as expectations remain high entering another challenging season.

A Year Ago

2025-26 Record: 34-3 overall, 19-1 PSAC

Result: Won the NCAA Division II National Championship with an 84-61 victory over Lander on April 5 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind.

National Ranking: Finished the season as NCAA Division II national champions.

Individual Leaders:

• Pace Prosser (Berlin, Pa./Berlin Brothersvalley) – 18.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 168 assists, 83 steals.

• Lucas Morgan (Sydney, Australia/Marist Catholic College North Shore) – 13.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 59 assists, 57 steals, NCAA Atlantic Regional All-Tournament Team.

• Precious Idiaru (Speyer, Germany/LA Premier Prep) – 11.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 34 steals.

• Lucas Sekasi (Washington, DC/Jackson-Reed) – 10.9 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 170 assists, 63 steals.

• Mackenzie Morgan (Sydney, Australia/Marist Catholic College North Shore) – 10.0 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 76 steals, NCAA Division II Championship All-Tournament Team.

• Layne Sarver (New Madison, Ohio/Tri-Village) – 8.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 63 made 3-pointers.

This Season

National Ranking: No. 3 in the NABC Division II Preseason Poll (six first-place votes).

PSAC West Preseason Poll: First (eight first-place votes).

Departing Student-Athletes: Pace Prosser (Berlin, Pa./Berlin Brothersvalley), Lucas Sekasi (Washington, DC/Jackson-Reed), Precious Idiaru (Speyer, Germany/LA Premier Prep), Victor Desmond (Onalaska, Wisc./Onalaska) and Layne Sarver (New Madison, Ohio/Tri-Village).

Returning Student-Athletes: Lucas Morgan (Sydney, Australia/Marist Catholic College North Shore), Mackenzie Morgan (Sydney, Australia/Marist Catholic College North Shore), Jaden Calloway (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Hartley), Mason Kemp (Shawnee, Kan./Mill Valley), Carter Wamsley (York, Pa./Eastern York), Julian Rivera (Gainesville, Va./Highland), Lathan Coleman (Lauderhill, Fla./South Plantation) and Jack Burchard (Meadville, Pa./Meadville Area).

Incoming Transfers: Derek Fairley (Lourdes University) and Parker Applegate (Murfreesboro, Tenn./Franklin Road Christian) (Central Arkansas / Union).

Incoming Freshmen: Aiden McKee (Muncy, Pa./Warrior Run), Oliver Jones (Fullerton, Calif./Fairmont Prep), Shiva Atwal (Windermere, Fla./Lake Highland Prep), Justin Edwards (Alexandria, Va./Bishop O'Connell) and Mantas Paldauskas (Kaunas, Lithuania/Baylor).

Coaching Staff Notes

Head coach Easton Bazzoli enters his third season at the helm of the Golden Knights and fourth overall with the Gannon program.

Bazzoli has compiled a 61-10 record (.859) over his first two seasons as head coach, guiding Gannon to the NCAA Atlantic Regional championship game in 2024-25 before capturing the national championship in 2025-26.

The Golden Knights finished 27-7 during Bazzoli's first season as head coach, capturing the PSAC Tournament championship before falling one victory short of the NCAA Elite Eight. Last season, Gannon improved to 34-3, winning the national championship with an 84-61 victory over Lander.

Bazzoli became the fastest head coach in Gannon men's basketball history to reach 50 career victories.

The coaching staff includes associate head coach Mike Chalas, assistant coach Tommy Sala, volunteer assistants Jake Whitmer and Matt Bengel, student assistant Will Lindstrom and strength and conditioning coach Brandon Richardson.

Key Dates

Season Opener: Nov. 7 – vs. No. 19 Central Missouri (11 a.m.), Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, Lakeland, Fla.

Second Game: Nov. 8 – vs. No. 11 Point Loma Nazarene (3:30 p.m.), Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, Lakeland, Fla.

Home Opener: Nov. 21 – vs. Saint Anselm (11:30 a.m.), Highmark Events Center.

Gary Miller Classic: Nov. 27-28 – vs. Findlay and Charleston (W.Va.).

PSAC Opener: Dec. 4 – vs. Kutztown (5 p.m.).

PSAC West Opener: Jan. 6 – at Seton Hill (7:30 p.m.).

Key PSAC West Matchups: Jan. 28 – at Indiana (Pa.); Feb. 24 – vs. Indiana (Pa.).

PSAC Tournament: March 1-7, 2027.

NCAA Division II Elite Eight: March 23-27, 2027, Fort Wayne, Ind.

What To Expect

1. Championship Experience Returns

Gannon enters the 2026-27 season with eight returning student-athletes from its national championship roster, led by senior twin brothers Lucas and Mackenzie Morgan (Sydney, Australia/Marist Catholic College North Shore).

Lucas Morgan (Sydney, Australia/Marist Catholic College North Shore) returns as the Golden Knights' leading scorer from last season after averaging 13.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-4 guard/forward started all 36 games in which he appeared, shooting 53.6 percent from the field while totaling 59 assists and 57 steals.

Morgan played a significant role throughout the national championship run, including a 28-point, nine-rebound performance in the NCAA semifinals against Oklahoma Baptist. He also earned NCAA Atlantic Regional All-Tournament Team honors.

Mackenzie Morgan (Sydney, Australia/Marist Catholic College North Shore) provides another experienced presence in Gannon's backcourt. The 6-foot-4 senior appeared in all 37 games a year ago, starting 36 contests while averaging 10.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.

Morgan finished second on the team with 76 steals and connected on 67 three-pointers, shooting 36.6 percent from beyond the arc. He was named to the NCAA Division II Championship All-Tournament Team after averaging 14.7 points over Gannon's final three games, including a 20-point performance against Oklahoma Baptist in the national semifinals.

The Golden Knights also return sophomore guard Jaden Calloway (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Hartley), who appeared in 36 games during his freshman campaign. Calloway averaged 5.1 points and 3.2 rebounds while contributing 71 assists and 61 steals in 18.8 minutes per contest.

Junior forward Mason Kemp (Shawnee, Kan./Mill Valley) returns after appearing in 33 games last season. The 6-foot-7 Kemp averaged 4.8 points and 2.5 rebounds while shooting a team-best 58.2 percent from the field.

Sophomore Carter Wamsley (York, Pa./Eastern York) gives Gannon another option in the frontcourt. Wamsley appeared in 26 games with two starts, averaging 4.0 points and 1.8 rebounds while connecting on 12 three-pointers.

Other returners include Julian Rivera (Gainesville, Va./Highland), Lathan Coleman (Lauderhill, Fla./South Plantation) and Jack Burchard (Meadville, Pa./Meadville Area). Rivera appeared in 21 games and averaged 2.3 points, while Coleman averaged 4.9 points in eight appearances. Burchard saw action in 19 contests during his freshman season.

With several key players departing, the returning group will be counted on to provide additional production and leadership as the Golden Knights pursue another postseason run.

2. Replacing Key Contributors From a Historic Season

While Gannon returns championship experience, the Golden Knights must replace several important contributors from last year's national championship team.

Among the most significant departures is Pace Prosser (Berlin, Pa./Berlin Brothersvalley), who led Gannon in scoring at 18.6 points per game while adding 5.4 rebounds. Prosser started all 37 contests and led the team with 168 assists and 83 steals.

Prosser finished the season with 687 points, connecting on 80 three-pointers while shooting 88.7 percent from the free-throw line. His all-around production made him one of the central pieces of Gannon's high-powered offense.

Lucas Sekasi (Washington, DC/Jackson-Reed) also departs after averaging 10.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Sekasi led the Golden Knights with 170 assists and contributed 63 steals while appearing in all 37 contests.

Gannon will also look to replace Precious Idiaru (Speyer, Germany/LA Premier Prep), who averaged 11.2 points and 4.6 rebounds while appearing in all 37 games. The 6-foot-10 forward provided size and versatility while connecting on 45 three-pointers.

Two seniors from last year's championship team, Victor Desmond (Onalaska, Wisc./Onalaska) and Layne Sarver (New Madison, Ohio/Tri-Village), also concluded their careers.

Desmond started all 35 games in which he appeared, averaging 7.3 points and 4.7 rebounds while providing a strong defensive presence. Sarver averaged 8.8 points and 3.0 rebounds in 37 appearances, contributing 63 three-pointers.

Together, the five departing players accounted for a significant portion of Gannon's scoring, passing and defensive production. Their departures create opportunities for returning players and newcomers to assume larger roles.

3. Seven Newcomers Join the Golden Knights

Bazzoli welcomes seven newcomers to the program, including two experienced transfers and five freshmen.

The incoming class brings a combination of collegiate production, size and versatility as Gannon looks to replenish its championship roster.

Derek Fairley arrives from Lourdes University after establishing himself as one of the top offensive players in NAIA basketball. The 6-foot-1 junior guard earned Third Team NAIA All-America honors and First Team All-Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference recognition.

Fairley averaged 23.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last season while leading Lourdes with 106 assists. He also recorded 48 steals and 65 three-pointers, scoring 30 or more points in seven games.

The Cleveland, Ohio, native helped Lourdes finish 21-9 and provides Gannon with an experienced scorer as the Golden Knights replace several key offensive contributors.

Parker Applegate (Murfreesboro, Tenn./Franklin Road Christian), a 6-foot-8 senior forward/center, joins Gannon after spending last season at Division I Central Arkansas. He previously played two seasons at Union University, where he developed into a productive frontcourt player.

During the 2024-25 season at Union, Applegate averaged 12.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game while shooting 49.6 percent from the field. He also connected on 52.4 percent of his three-point attempts and 87.9 percent of his free throws.

Applegate appeared in 29 games for Central Arkansas last season and brings additional experience and size to Gannon's frontcourt.

The Golden Knights also add five freshmen who will look to make an impact early in their collegiate careers.

Aiden McKee (Muncy, Pa./Warrior Run), a 6-foot-9 center, joins Gannon from Warrior Run High School in Pennsylvania. McKee finished his high school career with more than 1,600 points, 1,100 rebounds and 400 blocked shots while earning First Team PIAA Class 3A All-State honors. As a senior, he averaged 16.2 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.0 blocks.

Oliver Jones (Fullerton, Calif./Fairmont Prep), a 6-foot guard from Fullerton, California, joins the Golden Knights after attending Athletes in Action Prep in Ohio. Jones earned First Team All-Ohio Prep Conference honors while averaging 15.0 points, 5.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game.

Shiva Atwal (Windermere, Fla./Lake Highland Prep), a 6-foot-5 guard, arrives from Lake Highland Prep in Florida. Atwal averaged 12.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists as a senior while shooting an impressive 48.4 percent from three-point range.

Justin Edwards (Alexandria, Va./Bishop O'Connell), a 6-foot-5 guard/forward, joins Gannon from Bishop O'Connell High School in Virginia. Edwards earned Second Team All-State honors after averaging 11.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game.

Mantas Paldauskas (Kaunas, Lithuania/Baylor), a 6-foot-3 guard from Kaunas, Lithuania, rounds out the incoming class. Paldauskas competed at Baylor School in Tennessee, earning All-Region consideration while developing into a versatile perimeter player.

The newcomers provide Gannon with additional depth across the roster as the Golden Knights prepare for another demanding schedule.

"We're excited about the new guys that we've been able to bring in between two transfers and five freshman. So you know, a ton of expectations on these guys."

4. Challenging Nonconference Schedule Awaits

Gannon begins its national championship defense with an immediate test, facing two nationally ranked opponents during the opening weekend of the 2026-27 season.

The Golden Knights travel to Lakeland, Florida, for the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, opening against No. 19 Central Missouri on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 11 a.m.

Gannon returns to action the following afternoon against No. 11 Point Loma Nazarene at 3:30 p.m. Both opponents earned NCAA Division II Tournament berths last season.

The Golden Knights continue their opening road stretch at the East Region Challenge hosted by Daemen University in Amherst, New York. Gannon faces Roberts Wesleyan on Friday, Nov. 13, before taking on host Daemen on Saturday, Nov. 14.

After four consecutive games away from Erie, Gannon makes its home debut at the Highmark Events Center on Saturday, Nov. 21, hosting Saint Anselm at 11:30 a.m.

The Golden Knights return home the following weekend to host the 41st Annual Gary Miller Classic on Nov. 27-28. Gannon opens against Findlay on Friday before facing Charleston (W.Va.) on Saturday.

Other nonconference matchups include a Dec. 12 trip to Saginaw Valley State and a pair of conference crossover contests before the start of Western Division play.

The challenging opening stretch will test Gannon's returning championship core while giving its seven newcomers an opportunity to gain experience against strong Division II competition.

"We like our schedule a lot... starting down at the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in Florida... I think the schedule is going to be really challenging, highlighted by plenty of big time games.

5. Golden Knights Begin Another PSAC West Title Pursuit

Gannon enters the season as the favorite in the PSAC Western Division after receiving eight of nine first-place votes in the conference's preseason coaches poll.

The Golden Knights finished 19-1 in PSAC play last season, capturing the Western Division regular-season championship before advancing through the NCAA Tournament to win the program's first national title.

Indiana (Pa.) was selected second in the preseason poll, followed by California (Pa.), Slippery Rock and Seton Hill.

Gannon begins conference play Friday, Dec. 4, hosting Kutztown at the Highmark Events Center at 5 p.m. The Golden Knights return the following afternoon to face West Chester before continuing their crossover schedule throughout December.

Western Division competition begins Wednesday, Jan. 6, when Gannon travels to Seton Hill for a 7:30 p.m. matchup.

The Golden Knights face several important road tests during the conference season, including trips to California (Pa.), Edinboro and Indiana (Pa.).

Gannon travels to IUP on Jan. 28 before hosting the Crimson Hawks on Feb. 24 in one of the final home games of the regular season.

The Golden Knights conclude the regular season Feb. 27 at Slippery Rock before the PSAC Tournament begins March 1.

"We just want to have really good days, every day... Our biggest focus is that we're not focused on any championship or anything outside of getting better on a day to day basis and seeing just how good this group can be."

With another challenging conference schedule and the expectations that come with defending a national championship, Gannon will look to position itself for a return to the NCAA Division II Tournament and another opportunity to compete for a national title.