Men's Basketball | 6/16/2026 10:00:00 AM

ERIE, Pa. – Fresh off the program's first NCAA Division II National Championship, Gannon men's basketball head coach Easton Bazzoli has announced the addition of seven student-athletes who will join the Golden Knights for the 2026-27 season.

The seven-member class features two experienced transfers and five incoming freshmen, adding size, athleticism, versatility and proven production to a program looking to build on one of the most successful seasons in school history. It also continues Bazzoli's emphasis on recruiting high-character individuals who fit Gannon's championship culture. 

The class features a strong blend of size, skill and experience, including three players standing 6-foot-8 or taller, multiple all-state selections, an NAIA All-American, and student-athletes who have competed against some of the top high school and collegiate competition in the country.

The class includes transfers Derek Fairley and Parker Applegate, along with freshmen Aiden McKee, Oliver Jones, Shiva Atwal, Justin Edwards and Mantas Paldauskas.

"We are excited to welcome this talented group of young men to Gannon University," said Bazzoli. "Each of them brings a unique skill set, a competitive spirit and the type of character that fits our culture. We believe this class will have a tremendous impact on our program both on and off the court."

Here's a look at the newest Golden Knights:

Derek Fairley – G, 6-1, Jr., Lourdes University (NAIA) / Lutheran West HS (Ohio)
Fairley arrives at Gannon after a standout career at Lourdes University, where he established himself as one of the top players in NAIA basketball. The 6-foot-1 guard earned Third Team NAIA All-America honors while also being named First Team All-WHAC and a Bevo Francis Award nominee.

One of the most dynamic offensive players in the country, Fairley led Lourdes in scoring at 23.1 points per game and assists with 106. He also ranked second on the team in steals with 48 and third in rebounding at 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 82.3 percent from the free throw line. He led the Gray Wolves with 65 3-pointers in 175 attempts. The rising junior scored 30-or-more points in seven games while leading Lourdes to a 21-9 finish.

"Derek brings a level of proven success at the collegiate level coming from a successful NAIA program where he was an All-American," Bazzoli said. "He is one of the more unique scorers that I have evaluated, but he will bring so much more to the table than just that. His personality is contagious and we are excited to see him in a Gannon uniform."

"I chose Gannon because I believe it is the best Division II program in the country, and Coach Easton is one of the best coaches in the country," Fairley said. "I felt an instant welcoming feeling from not only the coaching staff but also the Gannon staff as a whole, which made this place quickly feel like home. I also know that getting the privilege to come to Gannon gives me a great opportunity to compete at a high level, develop as a player and be a part of a team that is determined to repeat many successes, such as winning a national championship."

Parker Applegate – F, 6-8, Sr., Murfreesboro, Tenn. / Central Arkansas / Union (Tenn.) University
Applegate brings significant collegiate experience to Erie after spending time at both the Division I and Division II levels. The 6-foot-8 forward previously starred at Union University, where he was recruited by Bazzoli, before competing at Central Arkansas this past season.
During his sophomore campaign at Union, Applegate averaged 12.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game while shooting 50 percent from the floor, 52 percent from three-point range and 88 percent from the free throw line. His combination of size, shooting ability and experience makes him a valuable addition to the Golden Knights frontcourt.

This past year he was a member of a Central Arkansas team that posted a 22-12 record while reaching the ASUN Conference championship game. He appeared in 29 games for the Bears scoring 62 points and pulling down 41 rebounds.
"Parker and I have a unique, long-standing relationship from my days of recruiting him at Union," Bazzoli said. "He quickly became one of the best forwards in all of Division II basketball before going to Central Arkansas this past season. His experience and leadership skills will be impactful for each player on the roster. Parker is a great teammate that Erie will love watching."

"I chose Gannon because it is a place that wins at a high level and a place that has produced all-conference level players, which attracted me here," Applegate said. "Having a previous relationship with Coach Easton was a big factor in my decision because I have a lot of built-in trust from knowing him at Union and think very highly of him as a person and coach."

Aiden McKee – F, 6-9, Fr., Turbotville, Pa. / Warrior Run HS
McKee joins the Golden Knights following an outstanding career at Warrior Run High School. The 6-foot-9 forward finished his prep career with more than 1,600 points, 1,100 rebounds and 400 blocked shots while earning First Team PIAA Class 3A All-State honors. He was a second team All-State honoree as a junior. Warrior Run won its first District 4 championship since 1988 and reached the PIAA quarterfinals, ending with a 27-3 record.

A four-year starter, McKee averaged 16.2 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game as a senior while establishing himself as one of the top frontcourt players in Pennsylvania. His combination of size, athleticism and versatility gives Gannon another weapon in its up-tempo style of play.

"Aiden is our kind of forward," Bazzoli said. "He has versatility to him as a person and as a player. He cares about all the right things and will bring size and athleticism to the program that will still translate to our style of up-tempo basketball. Really excited for his future as a Knight."

"I chose Gannon because I felt like I fit in with the culture," McKee said. "I also felt I had a good connection with the coaches and players."

Oliver Jones – G, 6-1, Fr., Fullerton, Caif. / Athletes in Action Academy (Ohio)
Jones arrives in Erie after a successful prep career at Athletes in Action Academy. The 6-foot-1 guard earned First Team Ohio Prep Conference honors while helping lead his team to the Final Four of the Phenom Prep Nationals. Based in Xenia, Ohio, Athletes in Action finished with a 26-16 record with Jones playing a key role.

A versatile backcourt player, Jones averaged 15.0 points, 5.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game and recorded a triple-double during the season. His ability to impact the game in multiple ways made him one of the top guards in his conference.
"Oliver has a wide range of experience both on the west coast and also in Ohio at his post-grad school," Bazzoli said. "He has been well coached, plays for others and shows an ability to impact the game in multiple ways. I am glad he is a Knight."

"I chose Gannon University because of the opportunity to develop the skills needed for my desired career within computer science while also competing and growing within a challenging basketball program," Jones said. "It is also important to build meaningful connections with like-minded people."

Shiva Atwal – G/W, 6-5, Fr., Orlando, Fla. / Lake Highland Prep (Fla.)
Atwal joins the Golden Knights from one of the top high school programs in the nation. The 6-foot-5 guard/wing earned Second Team All-Area honors from the Orlando Sentinel while helping Lake Highland Prep compete against elite competition.
Atwal averaged 12.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game while showcasing exceptional shooting efficiency. He shot 48.6 percent from the field, 48.4 percent from three-point range on 5.3 attempts per game and 83.3 percent from the free throw line.

The Highlanders ended the year with an impressive 28-2 record reaching the Florida Class 3A Elite Eight, losing in the Region 2 championship game.
"Shiva brings more size and versatility," Bazzoli said. "As a 6-foot-5 guard/wing, he has a high level of comfort with the ball in his hands as a decision maker. Coming from one of the best high school teams in the nation, and being a great leader for them, I know his impact will be felt here. Cannot wait for him to be in Erie."

"I chose Gannon because it immediately felt like home," Atwal said. "The support I got from the fans, coaches and teammates felt like the right environment I wanted to be in."

Justin Edwards – W, 6-5, Fr., Arlington, Va. / Bishop O'Connell HS
Edwards comes to Gannon from nationally recognized Bishop O'Connell High School, one of the premier basketball programs in the country. The 6-foot-5 wing earned Second Team All-State honors while competing against some of the nation's top talent.

A well-rounded player, Edwards averaged 11.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game while leading his team in field goal percentage. His ability to contribute on both ends of the floor made him a key piece for a storied program in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The Knights reached the VISAA Division I championship game while ending the season with a 26-10 record.

"Justin comes from one of the biggest hotbeds for high school basketball in the world coming out of the DMV," Bazzoli said. "Another guy that has proven himself against some of the best competition in the world, he has shown that he can impact the game in a variety of ways. Justin is a perfect fit for our style of basketball and Knight Nation is going to love him."

"I chose Gannon because when I arrived in Erie everyone treated me like I was on the team already," Edwards said. "I felt wanted. I also really liked what Coach Easton has done with the program's play style."

Mantas Paldauskas – G/W, 6-3, Fr., Kaunas, Lithuania / Baylor School (Tenn.)
Paldauskas gives the Golden Knights another versatile perimeter player with international experience. Originally from Kaunas, Lithuania, the 6-foot-3 guard/wing competed at Baylor School in Tennessee and earned All-Region consideration.
Known for his competitiveness and toughness, Paldauskas brings a well-rounded skill set to Erie and fits the style and culture that has become a hallmark of the Gannon program.

"Mantas is an athletic guard that plays with extreme edge to him," Bazzoli said. "He is another player that will bring fierce competitiveness every day while matching it with a great skill set from all over the floor. Fired up that he is a Knight."

"I am excited and grateful to continue my academic and basketball journey at Gannon University," Paldauskas said. "From the moment I connected with the coaching staff and learned more about the university, I felt that Gannon was the right place for me. The strong basketball program, great academic opportunities and welcoming community made this an easy decision. As an international student-athlete from Lithuania, I am looking forward to growing both on and off the court, building new relationships and giving my best every day as a Golden Knight."