Arizona Christian enters as the favorite after sharing the regular-season championship and reaching the NAIA quarterfinals. The Firestorm return nine players, including six rotation contributors, and welcome eight transfers. Tayvion Wilson returns after redshirting, while Spencer Langowski and several decorated junior-college transfers add depth. ACU seeks its seventh straight GSAC title and will face six 2026 national tournament teams before Thanksgiving.

Players to Watch: Rashaud Bradley (SR • G) — Returning All-GSAC guard; shot 43% from three and ranked second on the team in scoring. Spencer Langowski (JR • G) — Santa Rosa College all-state selection; averaged 15 points while shooting 49% from three.

Following a 28-win season and an NAIA Fab Four appearance, Benedictine Mesa must replace nearly its entire rotation. Only two players return and no starters are back. The Redhawks expect greater depth, outside shooting and competitiveness from a rebuilt roster as they pursue a spot in the six-team conference tournament.

Players to Watch: Taevon Pierre-Louis (SR • F) — Former Arizona Christian forward who previously averaged 11.7 points and 8.0 rebounds at Allan Hancock. Darnell Turner (SR • G) — Averaged 11.7 points and 3.5 rebounds at Rochester Christian last season.

Embry-Riddle returns 12 players and more than 90% of last season’s scoring and rebounding. Four starters are back from a team that ranked in the NAIA top 20 in field-goal, three-point and free-throw percentage and finished second in the GSAC in rebound margin. The Eagles hope continuity translates into a higher conference finish and postseason opportunity.

Players to Watch: Noah Gifft (JR • G) — Two-time all-conference performer who averaged 17 points last season. Jacey Canalin (JR • G) — Averaged 12 points and set the school single-season assists record.

Hope International shared the GSAC regular-season championship and reached the NAIA quarterfinals last season. Six letterwinners and two starters return, including three of the Royals’ top five scorers. The departure of Player of the Year Nick Hopkins, CJ Fisher and Darvelle Wyatt leaves important roles to fill. Jorren Edmonds returns after leading the league in assist-to-turnover ratio, while Jason Hilliard and Chinedu Nwankwo strengthen the frontcourt.

Players to Watch: Aman Haynes (SO • F) — Reigning GSAC Freshman of the Year and All-GSAC selection; 15.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 62.8% shooting. Addy G’Bye (SR • G) — Averaged 11.9 points and led the GSAC with 88 made three-pointers.

La Sierra brings back four players and no starters but has assembled an experienced, athletic roster built around maturity and decision-making. The Golden Eagles expect graduate transfers with NCAA Division II experience to help them improve and compete for a GSAC postseason position.

Players to Watch: Parker Christensen (GR • G) — Experienced NCAA Division II point guard with time at Azusa Pacific and Westminster. Malachi Murrell (GR • G/F) — Played at Cal Poly Pomona and started games for Cal State San Bernardino.

Life Pacific enters with a largely new roster and an experienced guard group featuring Kesean Bazile, Joaquim ArauzMoore, Austin Johnson and Tylon Williams. Xerian Anderson has made offseason progress, and Dylan Cabs returns from injury. The Warriors aim to build an identity around shooting, versatility, toughness and unselfish play.

Players to Watch: Austin Johnson (SR • G) — Averaged 8.1 points, shot 36% from three and recorded 10 double-digit scoring games. Kesean Bazile (SR • G) — More than 1,000 career points and 260 assists; previously played at CSU Pueblo.

OUAZ returns nine players and four starters from a team that finished sixth in conference play. The Spirit expect maturity, character and depth across the roster to produce more consistent results as they pursue a GSAC postseason berth.

Players to Watch: Carter Gittens (SO • F) — Averaged 14.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Tyran Simpson (SO • G) — Averaged 10.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.

Park Gilbert returns seven players and two starters but must replace its three leading scoring guards. Tyson Banks, David Onyeogaziri and Luke Olmstead provide continuity, while Reese Snellman, Isaiah Vargas and Isaiah Duve replenish the backcourt. The Buccaneers hope to use speed and spacing to earn their first GSAC postseason berth.

Players to Watch: Reese Snellman (JR • G) — Walla Walla transfer who averaged 11.9 points and 4.46 assists last season. Isaiah Duve (JR • G) — Returns from a redshirt season; previously averaged 15.5 points at Sierra College.

The defending GSAC Tournament champion returns nine players and three starters from a team that beat Benedictine Mesa 77-74 in the conference final. Quincy Phillips, Brayden Miner and Caden Devries anchor the returning group. Ben Tshaki, Skyler Schmidt and Kelson Gebbers add size, while Jayceon Smith and Jalen Atkins bolster the backcourt. The Mustangs aim to defend their tournament title and return to the NAIA Championship.

Players to Watch: Quincy Phillips (JR • G) — Averaged 15 points per game last season. Brayden Miner (SO • G) — Averaged 14 points per game as a freshman.