CEDAR CITY, Utah – Southern Utah men's basketball gets its first look at the 2026-27 roster Monday, Oct. 12, when the Thunderbirds host Ottawa University Arizona in an exhibition at the America First Event Center. Tipoff is set for noon MT.
The exhibition is the first game action of SUU's return to the Big Sky Conference. The Thunderbirds officially rejoined the league July 1, 2026, and this season is their first in the Big Sky since 2021-22 after four years in the WAC. It is also Rob Jeter's fourth season leading the program.
Scouting the Thunderbirds
Graduate forward Jaiden Feroah headlines the returning group. The 6-foot-9 Draper, Utah, native started all 32 games last season and averaged 13.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, both bests among players on this year's roster. He shot 55.4 percent from the field, 41.5 percent from three (39-of-94) and 86.5 percent from the free-throw line, and scored a season-high 35 points in January. Feroah also finished with 52 blocks, seventh-most in a single season in SUU history, including eight against UTRGV, the second-most in a game in program history.
Sophomore forward Cale Barclay returns after appearing in 31 games with eight starts. The Herriman, Utah, native averaged 4.6 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Sophomore guard Zeplin Kidd and junior guard Brayden Johnson each played in 13 games last season.
The roster features a large group of newcomers, including several who arrive with college experience:
- Anthony Breland, a 6-2 sophomore guard from Newton, N.C., comes from Miami Dade, where he earned first-team All-Region honors. He was also included in the JUCO Recruiting Top 100.
- Jordan Brown, a 6-1 sophomore guard from Atlanta, joins from UNC Greensboro.
- Jajuan Nicholls, a 6-9 junior forward from Scranton, Pa., comes from Tennessee Tech.
- Jalik Nicholls, a 6-6 sophomore forward from Scranton, Pa., joins from Pensacola State.
- Dylan Sanders, a 6-4 junior guard from Aurora, Colo., comes from CSU Pueblo.
- Chase Degraffenried, a 6-4 sophomore guard from Salem, Utah, comes from Green River.
- Juok Riak, a 6-8 junior forward from Madison, Wis., lists Drury among his previous schools.
The freshman class includes 6-10 forward DJ Smith of Dallas, guards DeZhon Hall of Fishers, Ind., and Rashaad Davis of Milwaukee, and Mikhail Protsenko of Belgorod, Russia, who joins from SC Derby.
Jeter brings more than 25 years of coaching experience and seven NCAA Tournament appearances to the bench. He became the winningest coach in Milwaukee's Division I history during his time leading the Panthers from 2005 to 2016, going 185-170 with two NCAA Tournament berths.
Scouting the Spirit
Ottawa University Arizona is an NAIA program based in Surprise, Ariz. The Spirit went 13-14 overall and 6-10 in conference play in 2025-26.
Looking Ahead
Following the exhibition, SUU opens the regular season at home Monday, Nov. 2, against West Coast Baptist. The nonconference slate includes road games at High Point, Wake Forest, Texas, Washington, San Jose State and Utah, along with three games at the FIU MTE in Florida Nov. 23-25. Big Sky play begins Thursday, Dec. 3, when the Thunderbirds host Idaho State.
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