DAVIS, Calif. — UC Davis travels to Hawai'i to open Big West Bold Week on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 9 p.m. PT and 7 p.m. HT. It will be the 30th meeting between the programs.

HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN/FOLLOW
Dec. 4 – at Hawai'i | ESPN+ | Live Stats | Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM | @ucdavismbb (X/Instagram)

GAME NOTES

• Opening Tip: UC Davis enters December at 5–2 and sits near the top of the Big West in several impact categories. The Aggies are second in the conference in field goal percentage at 48.3 percent and second in effective field goal percentage at 56.1 percent. They're also third in the league in three pointers made per game at 8.6 and fourth in assists per game at 15.1. The biggest statistical edge so far has been on the defensive side. UC Davis leads the Big West in turnovers forced at 15.43 per game, which also ranks 55th nationally, and sits second in the conference in steals per game at 7.9. The Aggies are holding opponents to 71.3, the third-best scoring defense in the conference. Block production has been a major part of that defensive presence. UC Davis ranks fourth in the Big West at 3.4 blocks per game, driven by Niko Rocak's 19 blocks, the third-highest total in the conference and one of the top per-game averages in the country at 2.71, good for 10th nationally. The group has also held opponents to 42.2 percent shooting, good for fourth in the Big West. On the efficiency front, Nils Cooper has been the most efficient scorer in the country. His 70.4 percent mark from the field ranks No. 5 nationally and No. 1 in the Big West, and he pairs that with 17.7 points per game. He is the only Division I player averaging 17+ PPG while shooting at least 69 percent from the field and 74.5 percent eFG. His 70.4 FG% and 75.9 eFG% both rank top 10 nationally. Connor Sevilla sits at 45.2 percent from three, the second-best three-point percentage in the conference, while averaging 14.1 points. Marcus Wilson remains in the top 30 in the Big West in scoring at 11.7 per game and continues to be one of the team's primary playmakers.
• Cooking With Connor: Connor Sevilla ranks among the Big West's most efficient perimeter scorers at 14.1 points per game while shooting 48.4 percent from the field, 45.2 percent from three, and 90.9 percent at the line. He sits second in the Big West and 47th nationally in three point percentage, and ranks fourth in the league in threes per game at 2.71. Sevilla has scored in double figures in all but one game and plays 29.9 minutes per outing. He added 12 points, five rebounds, and two made threes in the win over Louisiana.
• Cooper's Leap: Nils Cooper remains one of the most efficient players in the country, ranking fifth nationally and first in the Big West in field goal percentage at 70.4 percent. He is averaging 17.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2.2 steals, ranking second in the Big West and 56th nationally in steals per game. Cooper added 18 points on 6-for-8 shooting, five rebounds, and two steals against Louisiana. He continues to drive the two way identity of the roster. UC Davis is 5-1 in games he has appeared in.
• All Around Isaiah: Isaiah Chappell continues to provide steady scoring at 9.3 points per game while shooting 45.3 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from three. He adds 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists while ranking 14th in the Big West with 1.7 made threes per game.
• Steady Suljanovic: Omer Suljanovic is averaging 7.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 21.9 minutes. He adds physicality inside and contributes 1.3 offensive boards per game. Suljanovic remains one of UC Davis' most reliable rotation pieces.
• Niko The Anchor: Niko Rocak ranks second in the Big West and 10th nationally with 2.71 blocks per game, owning 19 total blocks which ranks third in the conference and top twenty nationally. He is averaging 10.6 points and 5.7 rebounds while shooting 63.2 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from three. Rocak posted 16 points, five rebounds, and three blocks against Louisiana and owns a season highlight of 19 points at Colorado.
• Marcus Making His Mark: Marcus Wilson is averaging 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 45.8 percent. He delivered a career-high 21 points at Colorado while going 3-for-5 from three, and added 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists against Louisiana. Wilson ranks 10th in the Big West in total assists and continues to serve as UC Davis' primary creator in 28.3 minutes per game.
• Brayden Dropping Dimes: Brayden Fagbemi is averaging 5.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and a team-high 4.8 assists per game across five appearances. He added 10 points on 4-for-7 shooting with two steals in the win over Louisiana. Despite playing fewer games than most league leaders, he ranks ninth in the Big West in total assists.

ABOUT THE OPPONENT

• Hawai'i and UC Davis meet for the 30th time, with the official series sitting at 15-12 in favor of the Rainbow Warriors.
• Hawai'i has 17 on-court wins, though two were later forfeited. UC Davis dropped the most recent matchup 78-70 on March 1, 2025, after winning three straight prior to that.
• Hawai'i is 6-2 to begin the season, and enters Thursday night as one of the Big West's most efficient and physical teams. They lead the league in scoring margin at +16.9, sit second in scoring defense at 65.3 points allowed, and hold opponents to just 38 percent shooting.
• Their biggest strength is on the glass, ranking first in the Big West in rebound margin at +11.9, which also ranks 18th nationally. Offensively, they average 82.1 points and get to the line more than any team in the conference, ranking first in both free throw attempts and makes. They also bring one of the league's strongest benches at nearly 30 points per game.
• Isaac Johnson anchors them at 15.9 points and 7.9 rebounds while shooting a conference-best 94 percent at the line.

SEASON NOTES

• Returning Ags: Niko Rocak enters his third season with UC Davis after anchoring the Aggie frontcourt with 6.8 rebounds per game and setting the program's single-season (58) and single-game (6) blocks records. His defensive presence and leadership will again serve as a stabilizing force in the paint. Connor Sevilla, now in his third year, started 24 games last season and averaged 8.9 points per game. He led UC Davis with 63 made threes and ranked among Big West leaders at the free-throw line, converting 91 percent of his attempts. His poise and perimeter shooting remain key offensive pieces. Carl Daughtery Jr. returns for his second season after playing all 32 games last year. The guard averaged 5.0 points and 1.8 rebounds while knocking down 26 threes. His scoring and defensive versatility give the Aggies additional lineup flexibility. Nils Cooper, son of Hall of Famer Michael Cooper, played 30 games last season and averaged 3.9 points and 3.5 rebounds. He posted a career-high 13 rebounds against Big West champion UC San Diego and should continue to be an active wing defender and rebounder while stepping into a larger role offensively this year. Isaiah Chappell, son of NCAA champion Mike Chappell, appeared in 21 games and connected on nine threes before an injury shortened his season. A New Zealand U18 national team member, he provides depth, shooting and athleticism to the Aggie frontcourt.
• New Faces: Brayden Fagbemi joins UC Davis after averaging 11.4 points, 4.7 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals as a sophomore at Central Arkansas, where he started 27 games and led the team in steals. The Illinois native began his career at Johns Hopkins, earning D3hoops.com Region V and Centennial Conference Rookie of the Year honors after posting 13.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. Marcus Wilson, a three-star guard from Washington State, brings size and athleticism to the Aggie backcourt. He appeared in four games last season before injury and was previously ranked as the No. 1 recruit in New Mexico's 2024 class by PrepHoops. Cyril "CJ" Franklin Jr. transfers from the College of Southern Nevada, where he averaged 14.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while earning ACCAC Freshman of the Year and all-conference honors. His all-around game provides scoring and playmaking versatility. Ylan Esso-Essis from France, comes from Modesto JC after averaging 15.5 points and 8.2 rebounds while earning Big 8 Player of the Year and NABC All-America honors. Jonathan Noudjihidi joins from Coahoma CC after averaging 10.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. He posted six double-doubles and ranked among conference leaders in shooting percentage at 57.8. Jalen Stokes, from Dougherty Valley High School, was a four-year starter and scored 1,607 career points. The Bay Area standout averaged 24 points and nine rebounds as a senior, earning NCS Player of the Year and All-State honors. Chase Rawlins, from local Folsom High School, was a three-time academic all-conference honoree who averaged 17 points, six rebounds, and six assists. He earned league co-MVP and section MVP honors while leading his team to a championship. Abdullah Amzil, from Finland's Drive Academy, was named the 2023–24 Finnish U19 Player of the Year after averaging 14.4 points and six rebounds. He boosted his scoring to 21 points per game in the playoffs and represents Finland internationally. Omer Suljanovic, from Austria's national team and UCC Assigeco Piacenza, led Italy's U19 league in scoring at 24.2 points per game. He made his senior national team debut for Austria at age 17 and brings a combination of size and perimeter skill to the Aggie frontcourt.
• Coaching Staff Continuity and Additions: UC Davis maintains one of the most stable staffs in Division I, with head coach Jim Les, associate head coach Kevin Nosek, and assistants Kyle Vogt and Jonathan Metzger-Jones working together since 2016-17. This group together represents the longest-tenured staff in NCAA Division I men's basketball. The staff expands this year with three additions: Fortune Solomon, Mike Kosich, and Reece Lakritz. Solomon joins as an assistant coach after serving with the Brooklyn Nets' G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, and brings more than a decade of experience across the NBA, G League, and international basketball. He also serves as an assistant with the South Sudan National Team, helping guide the program to its first Olympic berth. Kosich arrives as assistant coach and chief of staff following roles at San Diego State and South Alabama. His experience in roster construction, scouting, and day-to-day operations will play a major role as UC Davis transitions to the Mountain West. Lakritz, a UC Davis student and former team manager, becomes the program's video coordinator and assistant director of basketball operations. He has been part of the Aggie program since 2023.
• International Experience and Family Connections: UC Davis features one of the most globally connected and family-rooted rosters in Division I. Several Aggies bring international playing experience or heritage, while others continue family legacies that have shaped the program's identity both on and off the court. Graduate forward Niko Rocak represents Switzerland after competing for the nation's U20 team and earning his first senior national team cap earlier this summer. Rocak, fluent in multiple languages, is also one of the program's top academic performers, pursuing an MBA after earning his degree in chemistry. Freshman forward Omer Suljanovic, from Vienna, Austria, made his senior national team debut at just 17 years old, becoming one of the youngest players in the world to appear in a FIBA qualifying window. He is the son of longtime professional player and coach Ramiz Suljanovic, who spent more than a decade in European basketball. His brother, Imran, is also a freshman on the men's basketball team at St. John's. Freshman Abdullah Amzil, from Finland, earned Finnish U19 Player of the Year honors and has represented Finland at multiple youth levels. Basketball runs in his family as well. His brother Mustapha starred at Dayton and New Mexico before signing professionally in Europe, and his sister Latifa played collegiately at Detroit Mercy. Sophomore Isaiah Chappell competed for New Zealand's U18 National Team and follows the example of his father, Mike Chappell, who won an NCAA championship at Michigan State and played professionally in the Australian NBL. Junior Nils Cooper, a California native, represented the Swedish U18 National Team and is the son of Hall of Famer Michael Cooper, a five-time NBA champion and WNBA championship coach who most recently led the BIG3's Miami 305 to a league title. Sophomore Ylan Esso-Essis, from France, developed within the Metropolitans 92 program, one of Europe's premier basketball clubs. Jonathan Noudjihidi, born in N'Djamena, Chad, adds further international perspective to the Aggies' lineup and is one of several players who bring a truly global background to Davis. The 2025-26 Aggies reflect the growing international reach of college basketball, representing Switzerland, Austria, Finland, New Zealand, Sweden, France, and Chad.
• Excellence in the Classroom – The UC Davis Standard: UC Davis men's basketball continues to set the academic standard within the Big West, maintaining a 98 percent graduation rate and a team GPA above 3.0. The Aggies also led all UC Davis men's programs in winter quarter GPA. Niko Rocak, Connor Sevilla, and Nils Cooper earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors last season, recognizing student-athletes who maintain a minimum 3.50 GPA and play in at least 90 percent of games. The 2025-26 roster features 14 student-athletes representing seven different majors. Among the highlights are Niko Rocak, who is part of the master's of management program, and Brayden Fagbemi, who is a human development major on a pre-med track. The blend of majors reflects UC Davis' academic diversity and its commitment to preparing student-athletes for long-term success beyond basketball.
• From Past to Present to Future: The 2025-26 season is the 19th for UC Davis as a member of the Big West Conference. UC Davis will join the Mountain West for the 2026-27 season. Previous conference affiliations include: Big West Conference (2007-present), Division I Independent (2004-2007), California Collegiate Athletic Association (1998-2004), Northern California Athletic Conference (1982-1998), Far West Conference (1925-1982).
• Program Legacy and Success: UC Davis men's basketball has built a lasting tradition of success across eras. The Aggies captured the 1998 NCAA Division II national championship, made 12 NCAA regional appearances, and have since risen to become a consistent Division I contender. UC Davis has won two Big West regular-season titles (2015, 2018), a Big West Tournament championship (2017), and earned NCAA Tournament (2017) and NIT appearances (2015, 2018). Over the past decade, the Aggies have posted winning records in seven of ten seasons, highlighted by multiple 20-win campaigns. The 2014-15 squad set the Division I program record with 25 victories, while the 2017 team delivered UC Davis' first Division I NCAA Tournament win by defeating NC Central in the First Four. Signature wins include Utah State, California, Oregon State, Washington State, and Grand Canyon — a 75-68 road victory that snapped the Lopes' 18-game home winning streak, one of the nation's longest at the time. Professional success stories include T.J. Shorts II (2023 EuroCup MVP, Greece), Chima Moneke (EuroCup MVP, former Sacramento King), Elijah Pepper (Perth Wildcats, NBL), Brynton Lemar (Europe), Ezra Manjon (Italy), and A.J. John (Japan, Belgium, Israel, and Mexico). Beyond the court, notable Aggie alumni include Corey Hawkins (assistant coach, Orlando Magic), Joe Harden (founder, Salty Goats Winery), Mark Payne (vice president, Morgan Stanley), Ryan Howley (vice president, Bessemer Trust), and entrepreneurs Ryan Sypkens and Justin Dueck. UC Davis basketball has proven itself as a program built to win, graduate, and prepare players for success in every stage of life.