DAVIS, Calif. – UC Davis men's basketball opens the 2024-25 season Tuesday against Washington to take on the new look Huskies.

UC Davis returns 10 players, including star TY Johnson who should be a favorite for Big West Player of the Year, from last season's conference tournament runner-up team. After posting the best scoring defense in the Big West last season, the Aggies added even more physicality and length over the summer and will continue giving opposing offenses problems. While the outsiders will focus on Elijah Pepper's departure, this roster in 2024-25 still possesses plenty of experience, internal development, and key off-season additions to continue playing the Aggie brand of basketball people are accustomed to seeing.

THIS WEEK'S GAME INFO
Who: Washington Huskies
When: Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Where: Alaska Airlines Arena
Time: 7 p.m. PT
TV: B1G Network
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Series History: Washington leads 1-0 (Last game, Washington 77, UC Davis 70  | Nov. 26 2017)

Who: Idaho Vandals
When: Thursday, November 7, 2024
Where: ICCU Arena
Time: 7:30 p.m. PT
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Series History: Idaho leads 7-1 (Last game, UC Davis 65, Idaho 64 | November 14, 2019)

PRESEASON PREVIEW
The Big West Conference named UC Davis senior guard TY Johnson to the Preseason Coaches' Team, with the Aggies picked to finish fifth in the standings.

Johnson, a Second Team All-Big West selection during the previous season and an honorable mention the season prior, led UC Davis to a 20-13 record.

Averaging 17.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 3.25 assists per game last season, Johnson also earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team for his standout performances at the Big West Championships. He is the leading returning scorer for the conference and led the league in steals.

Johnson was the only player in the Big West last year to rank in the top 10 for scoring, assists, and steals. He finished the season with 19 consecutive double-figure scoring games.

Throughout his two seasons as an Aggie, he has recorded five 30-plus point games and 31 multi-steal games. Additionally, he has had 10 games with multiple steals and four or more assists. Notably, he has ranked in the 99th percentile for free throw attempts per 40 minutes in each of his two seasons.

RETURNING AGS
Recognized by CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein and Mid Major Madness as a Player to Watch, TY Johnson leads a group of 10 Aggie returners this season. Joining him are key contributors Niko Rocak, Pablo Tamba, and Leo DeBruhl, each poised to make an impact.

Rocak, a junior forward, led the Big West in blocks per game during conference play with 1.5 and set a UC Davis program record with six blocks in a game against UC Irvine. Rocak also led the Aggies in rebounds per game with 5.0 and started 30 of the 33 games he appeared in.

Tamba, a senior wing, is expected to show significant growth this season after a strong finish in the Big West Championships. Tamba averaged 3.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 16 steals, and 12 blocks last season. With four starts last season, all resulting in wins for UC Davis, he is projected to take on a larger role this year.

DeBruhl, a senior guard, brings experience and physicality to the team. He averaged 5.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and had the third-most assists among Aggies with 60. Known for his competitive nature and defensive prowess, DeBruhl appeared in all but one game last season and is expected to be a key contributor on both ends of the floor.

NEW FACES
UC Davis head men's basketball coach Jim Les has finalized his 2024-25 roster with the addition of four transfers: guard Carl Daughtery Jr., forward Derek Sangster, forward Jamaal Unuakhalu, and guard Nils Cooper. The team also welcomed newcomers Jacob Gilchrist and Isaiah Chappell.

Daughtery Jr. joins the Aggies as a junior from the University of Central Arkansas, where he averaged nearly 10 points and 2.7 rebounds per game last season. Over two seasons, he appeared in 52 games and started 10 during his sophomore campaign. "Carl is an explosive guard who can impact the game on both ends of the floor. We love that he is an aggressive, physical, and disruptive defender. He is also a 'microwave' on the offensive end with his ability to score in a variety of ways," said Les.

Sangster, a 6-foot-7 forward, comes to UC Davis from Princeton, where he played 13 games as a freshman. "Shooting is a premium in our system, and Derek will be one of the best shooters on our team," Les added.

Unuakhalu, a 6-foot-7 forward, joins after two seasons at Moorpark College, where he averaged 14.5 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. "Jamaal will be one of the most athletic players in our program since I've been here. He runs easy, plays above the rim, and affects the game in many ways," said Les.

Cooper joins as a sophomore transfer from Pepperdine University, bringing three years of eligibility. Ranked as a consensus four-star recruit both as a high-schooler and as a transfer, Cooper, the son of Lakers legend Michael Cooper, was a standout at Crossroads School, where he and Isaiah Chappell were teammates. He also represented the Swedish U18 Youth National Team this Summer. "Nils is a versatile athlete who can defend at a high level. He knows how to use his size and length to impact both sides of the ball, gets out in transition, and puts pressure on opponents. His upside will make him a valuable piece for our success," Les added.

Gilchrist, a 6-foot-7 guard from Twelve Bridges in Lincoln, California, was the Foothill Valley League MVP leading the Raging Rhinos. "We couldn't be happier to be welcoming Jacob into the Aggie Basketball program. Not only is he a terrific young man, but he is without a doubt one of the most talented basketball players in the area. His combination of size, skill, versatility, and shooting are something that we were on the lookout for in this recruiting class, and we feel very fortunate that we located someone that fit the profile just up the road from UC Davis," said Les.

Chappell, a standout from Crossroads School and a CIF Gold Coast League MVP, also joins the Aggies. He has earned numerous honors, including a spot on the Tarkanian Classic Nike Division All-Tournament Team. "Isaiah has made great strides in the years we as a staff have watched him develop, and the hard work he has put in will make him ready to impact our program the moment he steps foot on the court as an Aggie," added Les.

ALL-AMERICAN WATCH
UC Davis senior guard TY Johnson has been named a Preseason All-American Honorable Mention by Bracketeer.Org. The Non-Power Conference Watch List highlights 68 players eligible for the All-American Teams, identifying those poised to be all-conference players across 22 eligible conferences.

While not an "official" NCAA All-American media outlet, the Bracketeer All-American Teams recognize exceptional team players and leaders, not just individual success. The watch list was compiled after seven months of consulting and input from coaches, journalists, and industry peers. A midseason watch list will be released in January, with the final awards given in March.

The 2025 Bracketeer.Org Non-Power Conference Player of the Year will be announced in March. The watch list honors the 22 conferences that often receive less attention in D1 Basketball.

BIG 350 IN THE 530
Head Coach Jim Les is entering his 14th season at UC Davis and needs just one win in the 2024-25 season to reach 350 career victories.

With 195 wins at UC Davis, Les is also only five victories away from hitting the 200-win milestone as an Aggie.

Coming off another 20-win season, Les aims to achieve this mark for the fifth time at UC Davis and the ninth time overall, having previously recorded four 20+ win seasons at Bradley.

COHESIVE COACHING = CULTURE
Most cohesive staff currently in college basketball. Head coach Jim Les, associate head coach Kevin Nosek, assistant coach Kyle Vogt and assistant coach Jonathan Metzger-Jones have been together at UC Davis since the 2016-17 season, while Les, Nosek, and Vogt have coached together at UC Davis since the 2012-13 season. 

They together, represent the longest tenured coaching staff within Division I basketball.

SPECIAL CLASS
Despite welcoming new talent for the 2024-25 season, UC Davis bids farewell to all its seniors from last year's class, who are now playing professional basketball. This includes three key starters from their Big West runner-up team: Elijah Pepper, Ade Adebayo, and Kane Milling.

Elijah Pepper, the program's all-time leading scorer and the most decorated Aggie in the Division I era, concluded his collegiate career with 2,284 points, ranking second all-time in Big West history. He earned Big West Player of the Year honors, a selection to the NABC All-Region District 9 First Team, and was named a Lou Henson Award finalist. Pepper signed a two-year deal with the Perth Wildcats of the NBL.

Adebayo, the team captain and veteran defender, averaged 3.9 points and 3.0 rebounds per game last season. Adebayo signed with the London Lions.

Milling, a key floor-spacer, averaged 9.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Milling signed with KK Vršac.

Additionally, Sam Manu, another key contributor, was selected first overall in the TPBL by the Taipei Mars.

AGGIES IN THE CLASSROOM
Among the 16 rostered players, the Aggies are in 12 different Majors, with one of those including Niko Rocak who is pursuing an MBA after graduating with an undergrad degree in Chemistry
Here are all the listed majors for the Aggies academically:
Human Development
Communication
Social Sciences
MBA (Business Administration – Full Time, Niko Rocak)
American Studies
Managerial Economics
Sociology
Psychology
Clinical Nutrition
Sociology - Organizational Studies
Economics
Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior

MOVING UP THE RECORDS
TY Johnson served as a running mate last season to UC Davis' all-time leading scorer Elijah Pepper, and this season, will now see his efforts move him up the all-time lists in multiple categories.

With 1,030 career points, (1,019 at UC Davis) Johnson became one of only 26 Aggies in history to reach 1,000 career points. He currently ranks 25th all-time among Aggies and needs 318 points to break into the top-10

FROM PAST TO PRESENT
The 2024-25 season is the 18th for UC Davis as a member of the Big West Conference.