Men's Basketball 3/10/2026 2:15:00 PM

No. 6 Seed Aggies Facing Off Against No. 7 Seed UC Santa Barbara to Begin Big West Championship

HENDERSON, Nev. — The UC Davis men's basketball team begins its pursuit of a conference crown Wednesday night as the Aggies enter the First Round of the Big West Championships as the No. 6 seed to take on No. 7 seed UC Santa Barbara. Wednesday night's winner will advance to the Second Round on Thursday to face No. 3 seed Cal State Fullerton.

Numbers to Know: UC Davis has established a clear identity based on efficiency and defensive pressure this season. The Aggies are a perfect 8-0 when holding opponents under 40% shooting and 14-1 when finishing with a better field goal percentage than their opponent. Furthermore, they are 15-6 when allowing 79 points or fewer and 8-1 when scoring 80 or more points. Fast starts are critical, as the team is 11-6 when leading at the half.
National Defensive Standard: A hallmark of the Aggie system is the ability to force mistakes. UC Davis enters the postseason ranking 14th nationally in turnovers forced per game (14.94) and 31st in the country in turnover margin (+2.1) . The Aggies lead the Big West in turnover margin and rank second in the conference with 8.0 steals per contest. UC Davis notably ranks 9th in the country in non-steal turnover percentage.
High-Volume Facilitating: Offensively, UC Davis is one of the most unselfish units in the league, ranking 80th nationally in assists per game (15.7). UC Davis also ranks 28th in the country in assist rate.
Trio of Honorable Mentions: Niko Rocak, Connor Sevilla, and Marcus Wilson were honored Tuesday by the conference office as All-Big West Honorable Mention honorees.
Cooking With Connor: Connor Sevilla has been one of the nation's most accurate shooters. Leading the team with 13.1 points per game, Sevilla's 41.0 percent shooting from 3-point range ranks second in the Big West. From the charity stripe, his 90.0 percent accuracy (99-of-110) ranks 14th in the country and first in the conference. That mark stands as the second-highest single-season percentage in UC Davis history among qualified players.
Cooper's Versatility: Nils Cooper has been the team's most efficient offensive threat, leading the Aggies with a .549 field goal percentage while contributing 12.3 points per game. Cooper matched his career high with 26 points in mid-February against Cal State Fullerton and ranks among the league's best with 41 steals. Cooper however has been sidelined for the past few weeks.
Niko the Anchor: Niko Rocak serves as the defensive heartbeat of the program. Ranking 59th nationally with 1.6 blocks per game, he totaled 48 blocks this season — the fourth-highest single-season total in program history. With 152 blocks in his Aggie career, Rocak is just two away from tying Jason Cox (154) for the UC Davis all-time record.
Marcus Making His Mark: Marcus Wilson has become a vital catalyst, averaging 12.2 points and 4.0 assists. Wilson's growth was punctuated by a career-high 30-point explosion in an overtime win at Long Beach State on March 5. He ranks fourth in the Big West in assists per game and maintains a sharp 1.85 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Stokes and Suljanovic Stepping Up: Freshman Jalen Stokes has been equally reliable, shooting 88.9 percent from the free-throw line during conference games. Despite missing a handful of games recently, the Aggies were 4-2 in games with Stokes slotted into the starting lineup at the forward position. Additionally, freshman Omer Suljanovic has provided critical frontcourt depth, recently hauling in 8 rebounds against Hawai'i, and scoring 11 points to go along with six rebounds in the Aggies overtime win against Long Beach State.
Call on Carl: Carl Daughtery Jr. has provided a lethal perimeter threat, shooting 41.3 percent from deep in Big West play, ranking second in the league.
Brayden's All-Around Impact: Brayden Fagbemi has solidified his status as an elite floor general, ranking first in the Big West in steals per game (1.97) and second in assists (4.3). Fagbemi recently eclipsed a major milestone, sitting at 913 career points and 369 career assists.

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.