Print
2026-27 Season Information

GSAC Men's Basketball Preseason

Team-by-team information, returning All-GSAC selections, Players to Watch and outlooks submitted by the conference's men's basketball programs.

Entering the 2026-27 Season

Preseason Quick Facts

Defending Regular-Season Co-ChampionsArizona Christian & Hope InternationalBoth finished 13-3 in GSAC play
Defending Tournament ChampionThe Master'sDefeated Benedictine Mesa, 77-74
2026 NAIA Fab FourBenedictine MesaAdvanced to the national semifinals in Kansas City
Conference Membership9 ProgramsCompeting in GSAC men's basketball in 2026-27
Recognized Following the 2025-26 Season

Returning 2026 All-GSAC Players

Only 2026 All-GSAC selections returning to their programs for the 2026-27 season are listed.

School Returning 2026 All-GSAC Players
Arizona Christian Rashaud “Shaud” Bradley
Embry-Riddle Noah Gifft
Hope International Aman Haynes — 2026 GSAC Freshman of the Year
Selected by Each Program

2026-27 GSAC Players to Watch

Players to Watch are program nominations and are not preseason all-conference selections.

School Player 1 Player 2
Arizona Christian Rashaud Bradley
SR • G — All-GSAC in 2025; second on the team in scoring while shooting a team-leading 43 percent from three. An All-America and conference Player of the Year candidate.		 Spencer Langowski
JR • G — First Team All-State California CC selection who averaged 15 points per game while shooting 56% from the field, 49% from three and 82% at the line for a 27-5 Santa Rosa CC team.
Benedictine Mesa Taevon Pierre-Louis
SR • F — Averaged 5.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 10 games at Arizona Christian in 2024-25. Previously averaged 11.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists at Allan Hancock College.		 Darnell Turner
SR • G — Averaged 11.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists for a 22-9 Rochester Christian team last season.
Embry-Riddle Noah Gifft
JR • G — All-conference performer in each of the last two seasons who averaged 17 points per game in 2025-26.		 Jacey Canalin
JR • G — Set the school single-season assists record, averaged 12 points per game and served as a team leader.
Hope International Aman Haynes
SO • F — 2025-26 GSAC Freshman of the Year. Averaged 15.6 points and 6.2 rebounds, shot 62.8% from the field and scored in double figures in 29 of 33 games.		 Addy G'Bye
SR • G — Averaged 11.9 points and led the GSAC with 88 three-pointers while shooting 37.9% from beyond the arc. Tied the school single-game record with 10 threes.
La Sierra Parker Christensen
GR • G — Veteran NCAA Division II point guard with experience at Azusa Pacific and Westminster.		 Malachi Murrell
GR • G/F — Experienced NCAA Division II guard who started games for Cal State San Bernardino last season and previously played at Cal Poly Pomona.
Life Pacific Austin Johnson
SR • G — Averaged 8.1 points per game and shot 36% from three with 10 double-digit scoring games. An athletic scorer capable of guarding multiple positions.		 Kesean Bazile
SR • G — Has more than 1,000 career points and 260 assists. Previously averaged 16 points and five assists at the junior-college level and spent time at NCAA Division II CSU Pueblo.
OUAZ 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 Reese Snellman
JR • G — Transfer from Walla Walla who averaged 11.9 points and 4.46 assists last season, including a 12-assist game against Southern Oregon.		 Isaiah Duve
JR • G — Redshirted last season due to injury. Previously averaged 15.5 points while shooting 41.2% from the field and 35.9% from three at Sierra College.
The Master's Quincy Phillips
JR • G — Averaged 15 points per game last season.		 Brayden Miner
SO • G — Averaged 14 points per game as a freshman last season.
Information Submitted by Each Program

2026-27 Team Preview Capsules

Arizona Christian

Defending GSAC Regular-Season Champion
Returning9
Lost5
Starters Back3

2026 All-GSAC Status

Rashaud “Shaud” Bradley — 2026 All-GSAC.

2026-27 Outlook

Coming off a sixth consecutive GSAC championship, Arizona Christian has won at least 25 games in seven of the past eight seasons, excluding a 24-3 COVID-shortened season. The Firestorm reached the NAIA quarterfinals last season, falling by one point to eventual national champion Freed-Hardeman.

Team Strengths

Arizona Christian returns a core of three players who started at times in 2025-26 and six players who were part of the rotation. Tayvion Wilson returns after redshirting last season, while eight incoming transfers give the Firestorm a deep and balanced roster. Impact transfers include Spencer Langowski, California community college all-state honorees Brayden Smith, Michael Wright and Max Manfredi, NWAC conference MVP Jeremiah Williams, and NJCAA all-region selections Kaharie Loggins, AJ Ajawin and Nate Coley.

Season Goals

ACU is seeking its seventh consecutive GSAC title and expects to again contend for a postseason run. The Firestorm will be tested early with six 2026 NAIA National Tournament teams on the schedule before Thanksgiving.

Player to WatchRashaud BradleySR • G — All-GSAC in 2025; second on the team in scoring while shooting a team-leading 43 percent from three. An All-America and conference Player of the Year candidate.
Player to WatchSpencer LangowskiJR • G — First Team All-State California CC selection who averaged 15 points per game while shooting 56% from the field, 49% from three and 82% at the line for a 27-5 Santa Rosa CC team.

Benedictine Mesa

2026-27 Preview
Returning2
Lost10+
Starters Back0

2026 All-GSAC Status

None.

2026-27 Outlook

With an almost entirely new roster, Benedictine Mesa expects the group to need time to come together. The Redhawks nevertheless expect to be as competitive as last season and to be in the fight each night in a difficult GSAC.

Team Strengths

Depth should be improved from last season. Outside shooting and overall competitiveness are expected to be strengths.

Season Goals

Compete for a place in the six-team GSAC postseason tournament.

Player to WatchTaevon Pierre-LouisSR • F — Averaged 5.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 10 games at Arizona Christian in 2024-25. Previously averaged 11.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists at Allan Hancock College.
Player to WatchDarnell TurnerSR • G — Averaged 11.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists for a 22-9 Rochester Christian team last season.

Embry-Riddle

2026-27 Preview
Returning10+
Lost1
Starters Back4

2026 All-GSAC Status

Noah Gifft — 2026 All-GSAC.

2026-27 Outlook

Embry-Riddle returns 12 players from last year's team, including more than 90 percent of its scoring and rebounding. The Eagles hope that continuity allows them to build on last season.

Team Strengths

The Eagles expect to remain an efficient offensive team after finishing in the NAIA top 20 in field-goal percentage, three-point percentage and free-throw percentage last season. Rebounding should also remain a strength after ERAU finished second in the GSAC in rebound margin.

Season Goals

Build on last season and compete for GSAC tournament and postseason opportunities.

Player to WatchNoah GifftJR • G — All-conference performer in each of the last two seasons who averaged 17 points per game in 2025-26.
Player to WatchJacey CanalinJR • G — Set the school single-season assists record, averaged 12 points per game and served as a team leader.

Hope International

2026 NAIA Quarterfinalist
Returning6
Lost8
Starters Back2

2026 All-GSAC Status

Aman Haynes — 2026 All-GSAC and GSAC Freshman of the Year.

2026-27 Outlook

Hope International returns two starters and six letterwinners from last season's 26-7 team that reached the NAIA Tournament quarterfinals. Three of the Royals' top five scorers return, led by GSAC Freshman of the Year Aman Haynes, Addy G'Bye and Jorren Edmonds. HIU lost NAIA First Team All-American and GSAC Player of the Year Nick Hopkins, defensive standout CJ Fisher, and senior Darvelle Wyatt, who was recently declared academically ineligible.

Team Strengths

Haynes gives HIU one of the league's top interior players after averaging 15.6 points and 6.2 rebounds. G'Bye led the GSAC with 88 made three-pointers, while Edmonds led the conference with a 3.2 assist-to-turnover ratio. Transfers Jason Hilliard and Chinedu Nwankwo add frontcourt depth and should help the Royals on both ends.

Season Goals

Win the GSAC regular-season and tournament titles and make another deep run in the NAIA Tournament.

Player to WatchAman HaynesSO • F — 2025-26 GSAC Freshman of the Year. Averaged 15.6 points and 6.2 rebounds, shot 62.8% from the field and scored in double figures in 29 of 33 games.
Player to WatchAddy G'ByeSR • G — Averaged 11.9 points and led the GSAC with 88 three-pointers while shooting 37.9% from beyond the arc. Tied the school single-game record with 10 threes.

La Sierra

2026-27 Preview
Returning4
Lost10+
Starters Back0

2026 All-GSAC Status

None reported.

2026-27 Outlook

La Sierra enters the season with a deep, experienced and athletic group that expects to make an immediate impact.

Team Strengths

Maturity, depth, athleticism and decision-making.

Season Goals

Improve every day and compete for a GSAC title.

Player to WatchParker ChristensenGR • G — Veteran NCAA Division II point guard with experience at Azusa Pacific and Westminster.
Player to WatchMalachi MurrellGR • G/F — Experienced NCAA Division II guard who started games for Cal State San Bernardino last season and previously played at Cal Poly Pomona.

Life Pacific

2026-27 Preview
Returning3
Lost10+
Starters Back1

2026 All-GSAC Status

None reported.

2026-27 Outlook

Life Pacific enters 2026-27 with a largely new roster and optimism about the program's direction. The Warriors added an experienced backcourt featuring Kesean Bazile, Joaquim ArauzMoore, Austin Johnson and Tylon Williams, while Xerian Anderson made significant offseason progress and Dylan Cabs returns after missing last season with injury.

Team Strengths

Competitiveness, guard play, shooting, versatility and basketball IQ. The Warriors have multiple guards who can create for themselves and others, make open shots and defend the ball, with Cabs and Anderson adding skill and feel in the frontcourt.

Season Goals

Take another step forward, compete with the rest of the GSAC and establish an identity built around toughness, unselfishness and competitiveness while improving throughout the season.

Player to WatchAustin JohnsonSR • G — Averaged 8.1 points per game and shot 36% from three with 10 double-digit scoring games. An athletic scorer capable of guarding multiple positions.
Player to WatchKesean BazileSR • G — Has more than 1,000 career points and 260 assists. Previously averaged 16 points and five assists at the junior-college level and spent time at NCAA Division II CSU Pueblo.

OUAZ

2026-27 Preview
Returning9
Lost8
Starters Back4

2026 All-GSAC Status

None.

2026-27 Outlook

OUAZ is looking to take the next step as a program, with maturity and depth expected to help the Spirit improve.

Team Strengths

Maturity, character and depth at each position.

Season Goals

Qualify for the GSAC playoffs.

Player to WatchCarter GittensSO • F — Averaged 14.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
Player to WatchTyran SimpsonSO • G — Averaged 10.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.

Park Gilbert

2026-27 Preview
Returning7
Lost8
Starters Back2

2026 All-GSAC Status

None reported.

2026-27 Outlook

Park Gilbert enters 2026-27 with plenty of new faces after losing its top three scoring guards. The Buccaneers will lean on their recruiting class and veteran returners Tyson Banks, David Onyeogaziri and Luke Olmstead.

Team Strengths

The Buccaneers replenished the backcourt with Reese Snellman, Isaiah Vargas and Isaiah Duve. Park Gilbert wants to continue playing with speed and spacing while developing a more consistent interior presence.

Season Goals

Remain competitive in a difficult GSAC, use a challenging non-conference schedule as preparation, and earn the program's first GSAC postseason appearance in the expanded six-team tournament.

Player to WatchReese SnellmanJR • G — Transfer from Walla Walla who averaged 11.9 points and 4.46 assists last season, including a 12-assist game against Southern Oregon.
Player to WatchIsaiah DuveJR • G — Redshirted last season due to injury. Previously averaged 15.5 points while shooting 41.2% from the field and 35.9% from three at Sierra College.

The Master's

Defending GSAC Tournament Champion
Returning9
Lost3
Starters Back3

2026 All-GSAC Status

None.

2026-27 Outlook

The Master's returns a strong core highlighted by starters Quincy Phillips, Brayden Miner and Caden Devries. The Mustangs added size with Ben Tshaki, Skyler Schmidt and Kelson Gebbers, while transfers Jayceon Smith and Jalen Atkins bolster the backcourt.

Team Strengths

The Mustangs have greater depth than in recent seasons. With a core returning from the GSAC tournament championship roster and six new additions, TMU expects to be improved on both ends of the floor.

Season Goals

Compete for the GSAC title and qualify for the NAIA National Tournament.

Player to WatchQuincy PhillipsJR • G — Averaged 15 points per game last season.
Player to WatchBrayden MinerSO • G — Averaged 14 points per game as a freshman last season.
Preseason information was submitted by each institution. Player classifications and statistics reflect information provided by the programs.
Previous Season

2025-26 GSAC Men's Basketball Recap

Final Regular-Season Standings2025-26 GSAC Standings
School GSAC GSAC % Overall Overall % Home Away Neutral Streak Last 10
Arizona Christian 13-3 .812 25-8 .758 14-4 8-1 3-3 L1 8-2
Hope International 13-3 .812 26-7 .788 17-2 7-2 2-3 L1 7-3
The Master's 12-4 .750 22-10 .688 13-4 7-3 2-3 L1 6-4
Benedictine Mesa 11-5 .688 28-7 .800 13-1 11-5 4-1 L1 7-3
Embry-Riddle 9-7 .562 16-12 .571 8-3 7-7 1-2 L1 6-4
OUAZ 6-10 .375 13-14 .481 6-5 6-7 1-2 L2 4-6
Life Pacific 4-12 .250 13-15 .464 10-8 3-7 0-0 L1 3-7
Park Gilbert 4-12 .250 10-19 .345 6-10 4-7 0-2 L2 3-7
La Sierra 0-16 .000 7-20 .259 4-9 3-11 0-0 L15 0-10
Postseason Results2026 GSAC Tournament
Semifinals — February 27
Benedictine Mesa at Arizona Christian
68-65
The Master's at Hope International
78-73
Championship — March 2
The Master's vs. Benedictine Mesa
77-74
National Postseason2026 NAIA Championship
First Round — March 13
Benedictine Mesa def. Southwestern
61-58
The Master's def. Lewis-Clark State
88-80
Arizona Christian def. Corban
71-50
Hope International def. Georgia Gwinnett
66-53
Second Round — March 14
Rocky Mountain def. The Master's
67-66
Benedictine Mesa def. Nelson (TX)
99-94
Arizona Christian def. Wayland Baptist
91-82
Hope International def. Keiser
79-76
Round of 16 — March 19
Benedictine Mesa def. Faulkner (2OT)
96-88
Hope International def. Indiana Wesleyan
71-65
Arizona Christian def. Georgetown
86-78
Quarterfinals — March 21
Benedictine Mesa def. Hope International
86-75
Freed-Hardeman def. Arizona Christian
79-78
Fab Four — March 23
Freed-Hardeman def. Benedictine Mesa
96-71
2025-26 postseason: Arizona Christian and Hope International shared the GSAC regular-season championship. The Master's won the GSAC Tournament. Four GSAC teams qualified for the NAIA Championship, three reached Kansas City, and Benedictine Mesa advanced to the Fab Four.