THE BOARD: South Alabama Basketball

The number

35.9 — That's the combined points per game South Alabama lost when Chaze Harris (19.2 PPG) and Adam Olsen (16.7 PPG) left the building this spring. Nearly half the team's offense, gone. The Sun Belt Player of the Year is in the transfer portal. The program's single-season three-point record holder is at Auburn now. And Richie Riley — freshly extended through 2030 — responded the way he always does: by going places nobody else is looking.

Six signings in seven weeks. From Division II on Staten Island to the Swiss top division to the NAIA scoring leaderboard in Iowa. Riley didn't just reload through the portal. He went global.

The fit

Riley is in his eighth year at South Alabama, and the program has never been more stable. His 152-106 record (.591) includes back-to-back 20-win seasons — the first time the Jaguars have done that since 2009 — a share of the Sun Belt regular-season championship in 2024-25 (the first since 2008) and the program's first NIT appearance since 2007. He's the third coach to reach 150 wins at South Alabama and the only active Sun Belt coach with 150 or more wins at his current program. Athletic director Joel Erdmann locked him in through 2030 on April 14, calling the extension "a no-brainer."

"Richie has elevated our men's basketball program to a championship-caliber level in all facets," Erdmann said.

Riley's response was personal. "This is home for me, Jess and our boys, and I'm incredibly thankful for that — especially because of how great this city is and the people who make it special," he said.

The extension was earned. The 2025-26 Jaguars went 21-12 overall and 11-7 in Sun Belt play — good enough for a share of second in the regular season — then earned the program's fifth NIT bid. That bid carried extra weight. In 2025, South Alabama's NIT invitation was rescinded after UC Riverside reversed a CBI commitment. Riley called that situation "inexcusable." The 2026 bid came via an automatic agreement from that process, and Riley made clear what it meant. "It's an honor for our team to be invited to play in the NIT," he said. "This group has battled adversity all season and is truly deserving of this opportunity. I'm thankful that I'm going to get to coach these guys for a little longer."

The NIT run ended at Auburn — a 78-67 loss to the No. 1 seed — but Harris made sure it wasn't quiet. He led all players with 29 points (12-for-26), 8 rebounds and 6 assists. South Alabama led 36-30 at halftime before Auburn shot over 60% in the second half.

Now the challenge is replacing what made this team go. Harris and Olsen combined for roughly 48% of the team's scoring. Harris was the Sun Belt's best player — 19.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.9 APG, .553 from the field, the conference scoring leader at 22.0 PPG in league play. He dropped 38 on ULM in December on 16-of-22 shooting with 8 assists, 6 steals and 5 rebounds. Olsen hit a program-record 102 three-pointers at a 39.5% clip and shot 84.3% from the line. Auburn's Steven Pearl described Olsen's shooting as "a super power" with "a quick, high release" at 6-8.

That's an enormous production hole. Riley's answer is to fill it the way he's always filled it — by finding players the traditional pipeline missed and developing them into something.

Harris himself is the proof of concept. He went from Lakeland Community College to Shawnee State (NAIA) to Life University (NAIA, where he was SSAC Player of the Year) to South Alabama, where he became the first Jaguar named Sun Belt Player of the Year since Augustine Rubit in 2013. Riley saw something in a player who had bounced through four schools and turned him into the best player in the conference. That's the system. And the six players Riley signed this spring follow the exact same blueprint.

Start with Jalen Langsy, because Riley doesn't hedge the scouting report. "Jalen is the best shooter in the country at any level, period," Riley said. "He shoots it so well that his ability to be a three-level scorer is underrated. He plays with incredible pace and IQ, which has led to unprecedented offensive efficiency. On the defensive end, he will be really impactful in our zone. We are pumped to welcome Jalen and his incredible family to our program."

The numbers back the superlative. Langsy averaged 27.3 PPG at Northwestern College in Iowa — second nationally in the NAIA — on 58.1% from the field, 51.0% from three (third in the NAIA) and 90.9% from the line (second in the NAIA). He made 152 three-pointers, set the Northwestern College single-season record and hit 12 threes in a single game against Dordt on Jan. 28. He had four 40-point games and 13 thirty-point outings. His career-high was 49 points against William Penn. Over two seasons: 1,506 career points and 48.4% from three. NAIA First Team All-American. NABC First Team All-American.

Aaron Goldstein brings a different flavor from Division II. At the College of Staten Island, he poured in 21.2 PPG on 46% shooting, scoring 615 total points — a D-II single-season program record. He lit up Tampa for 40 points on Nov. 17 and surpassed 1,000 career points as a junior. As a freshman, he was the East Coast Conference Rookie of the Year, including a 23-point, 7-three performance against Virginia Union.

"Aaron gives our team a toughness and swagger that is much needed," Riley said. "He possesses great speed and creativity on the offensive end. He's an elite shooter with range off the bounce or catch. Defensively, he will be pesky in our press and zone. Pumped to have him and his family officially with us."

The international pipeline is where this class gets genuinely interesting. Diego Roman arrives from Starwings Basket Regio Basel in Switzerland's top division — a 6-6 guard who was already a professional, averaging 10.7 PPG on 50.4% shooting with 6.6 RPG and 6.3 APG as an 18- and 19-year-old. Four games with 10-plus assists. A season-high 14 rebounds against BBC Monthey. He's played for Switzerland's U16 and U20 national teams, including a 20-point outing on 7-of-9 shooting against Azerbaijan. His career arc — from the Morges-Saint-Prex Red Devils through JL Bourg's U21 program in France, then Aix-Maurienne Savoie Basket and Basel — reflects a player who has competed professionally across multiple countries before stepping foot on an American campus.

"Diego exemplifies versatility and possesses both a high skill level and IQ," Riley said. "He is dynamic in transition and will be impactful on the glass. We are pumped to get Diego here with us."

Lenni Kunzewitsch comes from Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany's ProB league — another European pro turning college. At the regional level, he averaged 11.5 PPG on 40.9% from three with 4.6 RPG and 2.5 APG. At 6-9, he fits the mold Riley described: "Lenni possesses a unique skill set. He has the ability to really shoot the ball while also attacking off the bounce. His length and rebounding ability will allow him to make a major impact in our zone. We're thrilled to add Lenni to our program."

Owen Kenney extends the Canadian pipeline that produced Olsen. At 6-7 out of the Ottawa Gee-Gees, Kenney averaged 14.8 PPG and 6.4 RPG as a sophomore, shooting 39.4% from three with 52 makes and as many as 7 in a single game. He was named OUA Rookie of the Year as a freshman and helped Ottawa win a conference championship and a U SPORTS bronze medal.

"Owen is a versatile wing that can score at all three levels," Riley said. "He will provide us with a 3-point shooting threat that plays with great IQ. I'm excited about his ability to be impactful as a wing in our zone. We're excited to welcome Owen and his family."

Davaughn Hueitt rounds out the class as the upside play — a 6-9, 210-pound forward out of Hannibal-LaGrange (NAIA) who swept the American Midwest Conference awards as a freshman: Freshman of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, All-Conference First Team, All-Defensive Team. He averaged 15.6 PPG and 3.1 BPG — the kind of rim-protection South Alabama hasn't had. Riley sees the ceiling. "Davaughn has as high of a ceiling as anyone we've ever recruited," he said. "His versatility on the offensive end and his impact as a shot blocker defensively give him tremendous upside. He comes from a great family, and we're thrilled to have him in our program."

One thread runs through all six signings: Riley mentioned zone defense in his quotes about four of the six players. Press and zone with Goldstein. Zone impact with Langsy, Kenney and Kunzewitsch. Riley is building this roster around a defensive identity, and he's finding the specific skill sets — length, shooting, IQ — that make the system work. This isn't random recruiting. It's architecture.

The departures

South Alabama lost its top two scorers, its best distributor and several rotation pieces. The production drain is steep.

Graduated / Out of eligibility:

• Randy Brady — F, 6-5, Senior. 5.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.9 APG (33 games). A steady contributor who likely exhausted eligibility.
• Hantz Louis-Jeune — G, Graduate student. 5.1 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 0.5 APG (33 games, 23 starts). MBA student with a 3.6 GPA. College Sports Communicators Academic All-District.
• JJ Wheat — G, Senior. 3.6 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 1.2 APG (33 games).
• Maxwell Land — G, Senior. 0.8 PPG, 0.5 RPG (4 games).

Transfer portal:

• Chaze Harris (destination TBD) — G, 6-6, 175, Senior. 19.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.9 APG (33 games, all starts). Sun Belt Player of the Year. First Team All-Sun Belt. NABC All-District Second Team. Led the Sun Belt in scoring (22.0 PPG in conference play) and field-goal percentage (.553 overall, .582 in league). The 38-point game at ULM. Selected to the NABC-Reese's Division I College All-Star Game (8 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl). The most impactful departure — a player who went from JUCO to NAIA to NAIA to Sun Belt Player of the Year.
• Adam Olsen (Auburn) — F, 6-8, 225, Junior. 16.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 0.9 APG (31 games, all starts). Hit a program-record 102 three-pointers at 39.5%. Shot 84.3% from the line. Second Team All-Sun Belt. Scored in double figures 24 times. Chose Auburn over Kansas. After one year at South Alabama via the University of British Columbia.

Injured / Status TBD:

• Peyton Law — F, 6-7, 220, Senior. 12.8 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.0 APG in only 10 games before an injury against East Tennessee State on Dec. 5, 2025. Shot .647 from the field. Previously a First-Team NAIA All-American at Freed-Hardeman (16.3 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.0 BPG). A medical redshirt is possible — AL.com's Creg Stephenson tweeted Dec. 9 that Law "could come back next year if granted a medical redshirt." His status remains TBD.

The arrivals

Six signings in seven weeks — all from non-traditional pipelines. D-II, Canadian university, NAIA (two), Swiss professional and German professional. Riley went everywhere but the Division I transfer portal.

NAIA:

• Jalen Langsy — G, 6-1, Shakopee, MN. From Northwestern College (Iowa). 27.3 PPG (2nd nationally in NAIA), 58.1% FG, 51.0% from three (3rd in NAIA), 90.9% FT (2nd in NAIA). 928 total points. 152 three-pointers. 135 assists. 41 steals. 34 starts in 34 games, 35.6 min/game. NAIA First Team All-American. NABC First Team All-American. Set Northwestern College single-season record for made threes. Single-game record 12 threes vs. Dordt (Jan. 28). Four 40-point games. 13 thirty-point games. Career-high 49 points vs. William Penn. Career: 1,506 points, 48.4% from three. Signed April 1, 2026.
• Davaughn Hueitt — F, 6-9, 210. From Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.). 15.6 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 3.1 BPG, 45.8% FG, 78% FT (30 games). American Midwest Conference Freshman of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, All-Conference First Team, All-Defensive Team, All-Freshman Team, Academic All-Conference. Career-high 34 pts/12 reb vs. Mission (Mo.). 29 pts vs. Manhattan. Signed May 2, 2026.

Division II:

• Aaron Goldstein — G, 6-0, 165, Staten Island, NY. From College of Staten Island (3 seasons). 21.2 PPG, 46% FG, 615 total points (D-II single-season program record). Led East Coast Conference in scoring. All-ECC First Team. Three-time ECC Player of the Week. Two-time MBWA DII/III Player of the Week. D2CCA East Region First Team. Bevo Francis Top-100 Watch List. 40-point game at Tampa (Nov. 17). Surpassed 1,000 career points on Jan. 14 vs. STAC. Prior season: 12.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.9 APG, 45 steals. Freshman: ECC Rookie of the Year, 10.0 PPG. Signed March 22, 2026.

Canadian university:

• Owen Kenney — F, 6-7, Barrie, Ontario, Canada. From Ottawa Gee-Gees (U SPORTS/OUA, 2 seasons). Sophomore: 14.8 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 39.4% from three, 52 threes (as many as 7 in a game). Third-team All-OUA. Freshman: 8.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG. OUA Rookie of the Year. U SPORTS All-Rookie Team. Helped Ottawa to a conference championship and U SPORTS bronze medal. Signed March 29, 2026.

European professional:

• Diego Roman — G, 6-6, Morges-Saint-Prex, Switzerland. From Starwings Basket Regio Basel (Switzerland's top division). 19 games (18 starts), 10.7 PPG on 50.4% shooting, 6.6 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.7 SPG. Scored in double figures 10 times, two 19-point games. Four games with 10+ assists (season-high 11). Season-best 14 rebounds vs. BBC Monthey. Switzerland U16 and U20 national teams. Career path: Morges-Saint-Prex Red Devils, JL Bourg U21 (France), Aix-Maurienne Savoie Basket, Starwings Basel. Part of French ProA U21 championship team in 2024. Born Dec. 28, 2005. Signed April 4, 2026.
• Lenni Kunzewitsch — F, 6-9, Germany. From Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany's ProB league). Regional play: 11.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.5 APG, 40.9% from three, 51.9% from two, 66.7% FT (11 appearances). ProB: 22 games, 4.2 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.2 APG, 52.2% from two, 77.3% FT. Signed May 9, 2026.

Projected returners:

• Jayden Cooper — G, rising Senior. 11.3 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.1 SPG (33 games, 31 starts). 41.2% FG, 55 made threes (2nd on team). Career-high 34 pts vs. Southern Miss (10-16 FG, 7-9 from three, Feb. 12). Scored in double figures 22 times. Top returning scorer.
• Stephen Williams — C/F, 6-9, 240, rising Junior. 6.4 PPG, 4.7 RPG (33 games). .657 FG%. Season-high 5 blocks vs. Texas State. Previously: Coastal Alabama CC. 19 pts on 8-of-9 shooting vs. Georgia Southern (Jan. 10).
• John Broom — G, rising Junior. 2.2 PPG, 2.7 RPG (31 games).
• Brian Hawthorne — G, rising Senior. 2.7 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 1.0 APG (20 games).
• Desmond Williams — G, 6-2, rising Sophomore. Redshirted 2025-26. 1,500+ pts in HS (Baker HS, Mobile). Second-Team All-State Alabama.
• Samuel Shoptaw — G, 6-2, rising Sophomore. 1,000+ pts in HS.

Staff additions:

• Will Braden joined the coaching staff on May 12, 2026.
• Mark Rutledge joined the coaching staff on May 21, 2026. Rutledge was most recently the head coach at Southern Arkansas (12-16 in 2025-26). Before that, he was associate head coach at Angelo State, where he helped the Rams to a 45-18 record and two NCAA South Central Regional appearances. He spent four years at Henderson State before Angelo State, including two as associate head coach, and helped the Reddies win the 2019-20 GAC Tournament Championship. Rutledge played at Central Arkansas, starting 56 of 57 games across two seasons (8.7 PPG, 43% FG).

The targets

Riley has added six players, but the roster still has questions.

The biggest wild card is Peyton Law. Before the injury on Dec. 5, he was averaging 12.8 PPG and 5.9 RPG on .647 shooting in 10 games — numbers that would have made him the second-most efficient scorer on the team. He was previously a First-Team NAIA All-American at Freed-Hardeman. If the medical redshirt is granted, Riley gets back a player who was producing at a starter's level before going down. If it's not, that's another double-figure scorer who isn't coming back.

Jayden Cooper is the clear top returning scorer at 11.3 PPG with 55 made threes, and the 34-point explosion against Southern Miss showed what he's capable of in a lead role. Stephen Williams provides frontcourt physicality at 6-9, 240 with a .657 field-goal percentage and legitimate rim-protection ability. But beyond those two, the returning core is unproven at the Sun Belt level.

The open questions:

• Can Langsy's NAIA production translate to a Sun Belt season where defenses are longer, faster and more disciplined? The shooting percentages are absurd. The competition jump is real.
• Roman and Kunzewitsch are coming from European professional leagues, not college systems. The talent is evident. The adjustment to American college basketball — the pace, the physicality, the 30-game grind — is a genuine unknown.
• Hueitt's 3.1 BPG gives South Alabama a rim-protection dimension it hasn't had. If his shot-blocking translates, the zone defense Riley keeps referencing gets significantly more dangerous.
• Desmond Williams redshirted as a freshman with 1,500-plus career high school points at Baker HS in Mobile. He's a name to watch in year two.

Riley has proven the model works. Harris is the evidence. The question isn't whether he can find talent in unconventional places — that's been answered. The question is whether six players from five different competitive levels across three continents can become a team by November.

If anyone in the Sun Belt has earned the benefit of the doubt on that, it's Riley.