WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Nov. 5) – The 2026-27 Waynesburg University men's basketball team will have a much different look to it as four starters are gone from the 2025-26 squad. However, eighth-year head coach Tim Fusina is excited about this year's roster, which features an eye-popping 22 freshmen and transfers that bring improved size, athleticism and speed to a program that recorded a 7-18 record that included a 3-13 mark in Presidents' Athletic Conference play.
 
The Yellow Jacket's most notable returner is senior Aiden Blake (Parkersburg, W.Va. / Parkersburg South), who enjoyed a breakout season this past winter. He was one of just two players to appear in all 25 games, during which he made 17 starts. He finished second on the team in scoring average (10.4 ppg) and total steals (22). He posted a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double against Franciscan and logged three games of 20 points or more.
 
Junior Demetrius Rivers (Strongsville, Ohio / Glenville) started one of the 16 games in which he appeared and played 14.8 minutes per contest.
 
Sophomore Brent Schmidt (Johnstown, Pa. / Bishop McCort), sophomore Lorenzo Staley (Cleveland, Ohio / Ginn Acadey), junior Peyton Blankenship (Dublin, Ohio / Dublin Coffman), senior Justin Pasko (Erie, Pa. / Mercyhurst Prep and senior Grant Stottsberry (Caldwell, Ohio / Shenandoah) all appeared in at least four games for the Orange and Black this past winter.
 
Waynesburg brings in five transfers for the upcoming season from the Division III, Division II and junior college levels. Most if not all of them are expected to make an immediate impact.
 
Sophomore Jonah Biggers (Cockeysville, Md. / Calvert Hall) is no stranger to the Jackets, as he spent a year at fellow PAC member Thiel in 2023-24. During that season he averaged 7.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while twice being named PAC Newcomer of the Week.
 
Speaking of PAC journeymen, sophomore Vito Campolo (Monroeville, Pa. / Gateway) comes from Chatham after appearing in nine games with the Cougars this past winter.
 
Sophomore Justin Gilmore (Alexandria, Va. / Jackson-Reed) and junior LeBarron Gordon (Temple Hills, Md. / Gwynn Park) both hale from the ultra-competitive Maryland junior college ranks and were mentioned in Waynesburg's section of the "2026-27 PAC Men's Basketball Players to Watch," which can be found on this year's preseason poll.  
 
Junior Adrian Vazquez (Bayamon, Puerto Rico / Antilles) appeared in 13 games over two years at Division II Goldey-Beacom in Delaware.
 
Waynesburg opens the upcoming schedule with its annual two-day home tournament that features Misericordia, Elmira and Otterbein. Game one featuring the Jackets and Elmira is scheduled to tip off on Friday, Nov. 6, at 5 p.m.