SoCon Basketball Countdown Spotlight: The Citadel Reloads With Experience and Depth
10/12/2026 2:45:00 PM | Basketball
CHARLESTON, S.C. – With a combination of returning experience, talented newcomers and additional depth across the lineup, The Citadel basketball program is preparing for the 2026-27 season under head coach Ed Conroy.
The Bulldogs tipped off the Southern Conference's 2026-27 SoCon Hoops Countdown on Monday, becoming the first program featured in the league's preseason spotlight series.
The Bulldogs enter the upcoming campaign with a new-look roster featuring six returners and 11 newcomers, including seven transfers and four freshmen. The additions bring experience from multiple levels of college basketball, along with increased size and scoring options as The Citadel looks to build on last season's progress.
The Bulldogs finished the 2025-26 campaign with an 11-22 overall record and a 7-11 mark in Southern Conference play. Highlighting the campaign was a five-win January, marking the program's most victories in the month since the 2008-09 season. The Citadel closed the regular season with a 93-90 overtime victory at Wofford before carrying that momentum into the SoCon Tournament, defeating Chattanooga, 88-85, in the opening round.
The Bulldogs' postseason run concluded with an 83-76 loss to top-seeded ETSU in the quarterfinals, providing a foundation for a program looking to continue its development.
With a revamped lineup and several experienced additions, the Bulldogs will look to establish their identity ahead of a challenging nonconference schedule and the expanded 11-team Southern Conference.
Guards
The Citadel's backcourt features a combination of returning contributors, established transfers and young talent looking to make an impact.
Senior Keynan Davis headlines the returning group after appearing in 32 games with eight starts last season. The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 4.8 points and 1.4 rebounds per contest while providing valuable experience in the Bulldogs' rotation.
Davis delivered one of his strongest performances of the season during the SoCon Tournament, scoring a season-high 20 points and connecting on six 3-pointers in the opening-round victory over Chattanooga. His six triples tied the program record for the most in a SoCon Tournament game, while the Bulldogs established a program SoCon Tournament record with 15 made 3-pointers. The Chicago native followed that performance with 11 points against ETSU in the quarterfinals.
Joining Davis among the returning guards is sophomore Marcos Gonzales, who gained valuable experience during his freshman campaign. Gonzales appeared in 29 games, averaging 4.4 points and 1.6 rebounds while recording 44 assists and 18 steals.
The 6-foot-3 guard scored a season-high 20 points against North Greenville and delivered several notable performances in conference play, including a 12-point, five-rebound effort at VMI.
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The Bulldogs also welcome several experienced additions to the backcourt, highlighted by senior Marcus Banks, who arrives after three seasons at Shepherd University.
Banks appeared in 90 games with 65 starts during his time with the Rams, totaling 1,241 points, 342 assists and 122 steals. The 6-foot-2 guard averaged 13.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game during his career and earned first-team All-PSAC East honors following the 2025-26 season.
The Clinton, Maryland, native scored at least 20 points on 13 occasions last season and brings an established scoring background to the Bulldogs' offense.
The Citadel also adds guards Chase Cormier and Eddrin Bronson, both of whom bring previous Southern Conference experience.
Cormier arrives following stops at Northeastern, Wofford and Iona. During the 2023-24 season at Wofford, the 6-foot-2 guard averaged 7.1 points per contest while connecting on 52 3-pointers. He appeared in 32 games for Iona last season, adding another year of Division I experience to his collegiate career.
Bronson joins the Bulldogs after spending three seasons at Furman, appearing in 69 games with 10 starts. The Tampa, Florida, native averaged 5.4 points per game during the 2025-26 campaign and provides additional experience against SoCon competition.
Charleston native Colin McKenzie returns to the Lowcountry after spending last season at South Carolina State. The 6-foot-6 guard previously competed at Spartanburg Methodist, where he averaged 8.2 points per game and shot 50.4 percent from 3-point range during the 2024-25 season.
Freshman Ja'Yon Alexander joins the backcourt from SPIRE Academy in Ohio, where he scored 1,000 career points and earned first-team all-defense honors.
Sophomore Jameson Heck rounds out the guard group, returning for his second season with the Bulldogs after appearing in four games during the 2025-26 campaign.
Forwards
The Bulldogs enter the season with several new options at forward, combining experienced transfers with returning frontcourt players and incoming freshmen.
Fifth-year forward Tyler Mrus joins the Bulldogs after spending last season at BYU, where he appeared in 27 games and averaged 9.6 minutes per contest. The 6-foot-7 Washington native scored a season-high 15 points in a victory over Pacific, shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from 3-point range. Mrus also connected on multiple 3-pointers in four games during the 2025-26 campaign.
Prior to BYU, Mrus competed at Idaho and Alaska Fairbanks, bringing valuable experience and perimeter shooting to the lineup. During the 2024-25 campaign at Idaho, he averaged 9.7 points per game while shooting 38.0 percent from 3-point range. He connected on 73 triples to rank second in the Big Sky Conference and recorded four 20-point performances.
Junior forward Ramel Bethea brings one of the most distinctive stories in college basketball to Charleston. The 30-year-old U.S. Navy veteran, who was recognized as the oldest player in NCAA Division I men's basketball last season, has drawn national media attention for his journey from military service to the collegiate hardwood.
Bethea served five years in the Navy, where he developed his basketball skills while competing on military teams. Following his service, he began his collegiate career at MiraCosta College, averaging 12.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game before transferring to Green Bay for the 2025-26 season.
The 6-foot-9 forward appeared in 30 games with five starts at Green Bay last season, averaging 3.6 points and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 74.6 percent from the field. Bethea also recorded 38 blocked shots during the campaign, bringing additional size and rim protection to the Bulldogs' frontcourt.
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Returning forward Cassius Bonjasky brings familiarity with the Bulldogs' system after appearing in 19 games last season. The 6-foot-7 Netherlands native averaged 2.2 points and 1.4 rebounds while shooting 57.1 percent from the field.
Sophomore Logan Menefee also returns to the frontcourt after appearing in seven games during his freshman campaign. At 6-foot-10, Menefee provides additional size as he continues his development within the program.
The Bulldogs also welcome back junior Aidan Alexander, a Charleston native and Bishop England product who appeared in four contests last season.
Among the incoming freshmen is Jack Seiders, a 6-foot-7 forward from Austin, Texas. Seiders earned District 26-6A Offensive MVP honors and received all-state recognition during his high school career at Austin Westlake.
The Citadel also adds 6-foot-6 freshman forward Aaron Ekwere, a native of Finland who brings international playing experience to Charleston.
Ekwere developed through the Finnish basketball system and competed with Finland's U20 National Team at the 2025 FIBA U20 EuroBasket, averaging 16.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest. He also recorded a 50-point performance during the Finnish playoffs and was selected to compete at the 2026 NBA Academy Games.
Centers
The Citadel adds significant size to the middle of its lineup with fifth-year Joe Hurlburt and freshman Yaw Ansong.
Hurlburt, a 6-foot-11 forward/center from Enderlin, North Dakota, joins the Bulldogs following two seasons at Davidson and two years at Colorado.
During his time with the Wildcats, Hurlburt appeared in 36 games with one start, averaging 1.3 points and 2.0 rebounds per contest. He appeared in eight games during the 2025-26 season, including one start.
Before beginning his collegiate career, Hurlburt was a three-time all-state selection and two-time North Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year. He finished his high school career with 2,188 points and 1,475 rebounds, becoming North Dakota's all-time leading rebounder.
Ansong, a 7-foot freshman from Accra, Ghana, joins the Bulldogs after competing at Union Catholic High School and Hargrave Military Academy.
The 220-pound center helped his teams capture multiple championships during his prep career, including conference, sectional, state and Elite Prep League titles.
With Hurlburt and Ansong joining the frontcourt, The Citadel enters the season with additional size and depth as the Bulldogs prepare for Southern Conference competition.
Early Look at the Bulldogs
The Citadel received an early opportunity to evaluate its revamped roster during the inaugural LinkU Invitational on Sept. 27 at Credit One Stadium, facing crosstown rival College of Charleston in an exhibition contest.
Despite falling 69-59, several newcomers delivered notable performances in their first appearance with the Bulldogs.
Marcus Banks led all scorers with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting, adding six rebounds, four assists and four steals.
Ramel Bethea contributed 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting while recording five rebounds and six blocked shots. Tyler Mrus added nine points, connecting on three 3-pointers.
The exhibition provided the Bulldogs with a unique opportunity to compete in an outdoor setting while gaining valuable game experience ahead of the regular season.
The Road to Asheville
The Citadel opens the 2026-27 regular season Monday, Nov. 2, against Loyola Chicago at Gentile Arena before returning to McAlister Field House for its home opener against Erskine on Friday, Nov. 6.
The Bulldogs' nonconference schedule features road contests against North Florida, Clemson, High Point, Charleston Southern, Georgia Tech and North Carolina, along with home matchups against Virginia Lynchburg, South Carolina State, USC Upstate and Toccoa Falls.
"We're excited about the schedule we've put together and the opportunities it gives our team," Conroy said. "We'll be challenged on the road, have some great games in front of our fans at McAlister and see a variety of styles that should help prepare us for Southern Conference play. We're looking forward to getting started."
Southern Conference play begins Dec. 5 at Western Carolina, with The Citadel welcoming new league member Tennessee Tech to McAlister Field House on Dec. 19 for its conference home opener.
With the addition of Tennessee Tech, the SoCon expands to 11 teams for the 2026-27 season. Each program will compete in a 20-game conference schedule, facing every league opponent once at home and once on the road.
The Bulldogs were selected to finish 10th in the SoCon Preseason Coaches Poll, receiving 21 points. Furman was tabbed as the preseason favorite, followed by ETSU and Wofford.
The Citadel concludes the regular season Feb. 27 against Mercer at McAlister Field House before turning its attention to the Southern Conference Basketball Championship in Asheville, North Carolina.
With an experienced returning core, accomplished transfers and an incoming freshman class, the Bulldogs enter the season focused on continuing their progress and competing throughout the Southern Conference schedule.
For the latest information on The Citadel basketball program, visit CitadelSports.com and follow @CitadelHoops on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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The Bulldogs tipped off the Southern Conference's 2026-27 SoCon Hoops Countdown on Monday, becoming the first program featured in the league's preseason spotlight series.
The Bulldogs enter the upcoming campaign with a new-look roster featuring six returners and 11 newcomers, including seven transfers and four freshmen. The additions bring experience from multiple levels of college basketball, along with increased size and scoring options as The Citadel looks to build on last season's progress.
The Bulldogs finished the 2025-26 campaign with an 11-22 overall record and a 7-11 mark in Southern Conference play. Highlighting the campaign was a five-win January, marking the program's most victories in the month since the 2008-09 season. The Citadel closed the regular season with a 93-90 overtime victory at Wofford before carrying that momentum into the SoCon Tournament, defeating Chattanooga, 88-85, in the opening round.
The Bulldogs' postseason run concluded with an 83-76 loss to top-seeded ETSU in the quarterfinals, providing a foundation for a program looking to continue its development.
With a revamped lineup and several experienced additions, the Bulldogs will look to establish their identity ahead of a challenging nonconference schedule and the expanded 11-team Southern Conference.
Guards
The Citadel's backcourt features a combination of returning contributors, established transfers and young talent looking to make an impact.
Senior Keynan Davis headlines the returning group after appearing in 32 games with eight starts last season. The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 4.8 points and 1.4 rebounds per contest while providing valuable experience in the Bulldogs' rotation.
Davis delivered one of his strongest performances of the season during the SoCon Tournament, scoring a season-high 20 points and connecting on six 3-pointers in the opening-round victory over Chattanooga. His six triples tied the program record for the most in a SoCon Tournament game, while the Bulldogs established a program SoCon Tournament record with 15 made 3-pointers. The Chicago native followed that performance with 11 points against ETSU in the quarterfinals.
Joining Davis among the returning guards is sophomore Marcos Gonzales, who gained valuable experience during his freshman campaign. Gonzales appeared in 29 games, averaging 4.4 points and 1.6 rebounds while recording 44 assists and 18 steals.
The 6-foot-3 guard scored a season-high 20 points against North Greenville and delivered several notable performances in conference play, including a 12-point, five-rebound effort at VMI.
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The Bulldogs also welcome several experienced additions to the backcourt, highlighted by senior Marcus Banks, who arrives after three seasons at Shepherd University.
Banks appeared in 90 games with 65 starts during his time with the Rams, totaling 1,241 points, 342 assists and 122 steals. The 6-foot-2 guard averaged 13.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game during his career and earned first-team All-PSAC East honors following the 2025-26 season.
The Clinton, Maryland, native scored at least 20 points on 13 occasions last season and brings an established scoring background to the Bulldogs' offense.
The Citadel also adds guards Chase Cormier and Eddrin Bronson, both of whom bring previous Southern Conference experience.
Cormier arrives following stops at Northeastern, Wofford and Iona. During the 2023-24 season at Wofford, the 6-foot-2 guard averaged 7.1 points per contest while connecting on 52 3-pointers. He appeared in 32 games for Iona last season, adding another year of Division I experience to his collegiate career.
Bronson joins the Bulldogs after spending three seasons at Furman, appearing in 69 games with 10 starts. The Tampa, Florida, native averaged 5.4 points per game during the 2025-26 campaign and provides additional experience against SoCon competition.
Charleston native Colin McKenzie returns to the Lowcountry after spending last season at South Carolina State. The 6-foot-6 guard previously competed at Spartanburg Methodist, where he averaged 8.2 points per game and shot 50.4 percent from 3-point range during the 2024-25 season.
Freshman Ja'Yon Alexander joins the backcourt from SPIRE Academy in Ohio, where he scored 1,000 career points and earned first-team all-defense honors.
Sophomore Jameson Heck rounds out the guard group, returning for his second season with the Bulldogs after appearing in four games during the 2025-26 campaign.
Forwards
The Bulldogs enter the season with several new options at forward, combining experienced transfers with returning frontcourt players and incoming freshmen.
Fifth-year forward Tyler Mrus joins the Bulldogs after spending last season at BYU, where he appeared in 27 games and averaged 9.6 minutes per contest. The 6-foot-7 Washington native scored a season-high 15 points in a victory over Pacific, shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from 3-point range. Mrus also connected on multiple 3-pointers in four games during the 2025-26 campaign.
Prior to BYU, Mrus competed at Idaho and Alaska Fairbanks, bringing valuable experience and perimeter shooting to the lineup. During the 2024-25 campaign at Idaho, he averaged 9.7 points per game while shooting 38.0 percent from 3-point range. He connected on 73 triples to rank second in the Big Sky Conference and recorded four 20-point performances.
Junior forward Ramel Bethea brings one of the most distinctive stories in college basketball to Charleston. The 30-year-old U.S. Navy veteran, who was recognized as the oldest player in NCAA Division I men's basketball last season, has drawn national media attention for his journey from military service to the collegiate hardwood.
Bethea served five years in the Navy, where he developed his basketball skills while competing on military teams. Following his service, he began his collegiate career at MiraCosta College, averaging 12.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game before transferring to Green Bay for the 2025-26 season.
The 6-foot-9 forward appeared in 30 games with five starts at Green Bay last season, averaging 3.6 points and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 74.6 percent from the field. Bethea also recorded 38 blocked shots during the campaign, bringing additional size and rim protection to the Bulldogs' frontcourt.
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Returning forward Cassius Bonjasky brings familiarity with the Bulldogs' system after appearing in 19 games last season. The 6-foot-7 Netherlands native averaged 2.2 points and 1.4 rebounds while shooting 57.1 percent from the field.
Sophomore Logan Menefee also returns to the frontcourt after appearing in seven games during his freshman campaign. At 6-foot-10, Menefee provides additional size as he continues his development within the program.
The Bulldogs also welcome back junior Aidan Alexander, a Charleston native and Bishop England product who appeared in four contests last season.
Among the incoming freshmen is Jack Seiders, a 6-foot-7 forward from Austin, Texas. Seiders earned District 26-6A Offensive MVP honors and received all-state recognition during his high school career at Austin Westlake.
The Citadel also adds 6-foot-6 freshman forward Aaron Ekwere, a native of Finland who brings international playing experience to Charleston.
Ekwere developed through the Finnish basketball system and competed with Finland's U20 National Team at the 2025 FIBA U20 EuroBasket, averaging 16.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest. He also recorded a 50-point performance during the Finnish playoffs and was selected to compete at the 2026 NBA Academy Games.
Centers
The Citadel adds significant size to the middle of its lineup with fifth-year Joe Hurlburt and freshman Yaw Ansong.
Hurlburt, a 6-foot-11 forward/center from Enderlin, North Dakota, joins the Bulldogs following two seasons at Davidson and two years at Colorado.
During his time with the Wildcats, Hurlburt appeared in 36 games with one start, averaging 1.3 points and 2.0 rebounds per contest. He appeared in eight games during the 2025-26 season, including one start.
Before beginning his collegiate career, Hurlburt was a three-time all-state selection and two-time North Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year. He finished his high school career with 2,188 points and 1,475 rebounds, becoming North Dakota's all-time leading rebounder.
Ansong, a 7-foot freshman from Accra, Ghana, joins the Bulldogs after competing at Union Catholic High School and Hargrave Military Academy.
The 220-pound center helped his teams capture multiple championships during his prep career, including conference, sectional, state and Elite Prep League titles.
With Hurlburt and Ansong joining the frontcourt, The Citadel enters the season with additional size and depth as the Bulldogs prepare for Southern Conference competition.
Early Look at the Bulldogs
The Citadel received an early opportunity to evaluate its revamped roster during the inaugural LinkU Invitational on Sept. 27 at Credit One Stadium, facing crosstown rival College of Charleston in an exhibition contest.
Despite falling 69-59, several newcomers delivered notable performances in their first appearance with the Bulldogs.
Marcus Banks led all scorers with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting, adding six rebounds, four assists and four steals.
Ramel Bethea contributed 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting while recording five rebounds and six blocked shots. Tyler Mrus added nine points, connecting on three 3-pointers.
The exhibition provided the Bulldogs with a unique opportunity to compete in an outdoor setting while gaining valuable game experience ahead of the regular season.
The Road to Asheville
The Citadel opens the 2026-27 regular season Monday, Nov. 2, against Loyola Chicago at Gentile Arena before returning to McAlister Field House for its home opener against Erskine on Friday, Nov. 6.
The Bulldogs' nonconference schedule features road contests against North Florida, Clemson, High Point, Charleston Southern, Georgia Tech and North Carolina, along with home matchups against Virginia Lynchburg, South Carolina State, USC Upstate and Toccoa Falls.
"We're excited about the schedule we've put together and the opportunities it gives our team," Conroy said. "We'll be challenged on the road, have some great games in front of our fans at McAlister and see a variety of styles that should help prepare us for Southern Conference play. We're looking forward to getting started."
Southern Conference play begins Dec. 5 at Western Carolina, with The Citadel welcoming new league member Tennessee Tech to McAlister Field House on Dec. 19 for its conference home opener.
With the addition of Tennessee Tech, the SoCon expands to 11 teams for the 2026-27 season. Each program will compete in a 20-game conference schedule, facing every league opponent once at home and once on the road.
The Bulldogs were selected to finish 10th in the SoCon Preseason Coaches Poll, receiving 21 points. Furman was tabbed as the preseason favorite, followed by ETSU and Wofford.
The Citadel concludes the regular season Feb. 27 against Mercer at McAlister Field House before turning its attention to the Southern Conference Basketball Championship in Asheville, North Carolina.
With an experienced returning core, accomplished transfers and an incoming freshman class, the Bulldogs enter the season focused on continuing their progress and competing throughout the Southern Conference schedule.
For the latest information on The Citadel basketball program, visit CitadelSports.com and follow @CitadelHoops on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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