DAVIS, Calif. — UC Davis will close out their final regular season as apart of the Big West with matchups against Long Beach State Thursday, before traveling to UC Irvine on Saturday for an ESPNU showdown.

HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN/FOLLOW
March 5 – at Long Beach State | ESPN+ | Live Stats | Radio: Sactown Sports 96.1FM HD3 | @ucdavismbb (X/Instagram)
March 7 – at UC Irvine | ESPNU | Live Stats | Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM | @ucdavismbb (X/Instagram)

GAME NOTES

• ESPNU On Deck: The race for the Big West regular-season crown is coming down to the wire, and the UC Davis men's basketball team will take center stage on national television for its regular-season finale. The Aggies' Saturday, March 7 matchup at UC Irvine has been selected as an ESPN wildcard contest and will be broadcast live on ESPNU. Tipoff from the Bren Events Center has been adjusted to 5 p.m. PT to accommodate the television schedule.
• Numbers to Know: The Aggies are a perfect 8-0 when holding opponents to under 40% shooting and 14-1 when finishing with a better field goal percentage than their opponent. Furthermore, the Aggies are 14-5 when allowing 79 points or fewer. UC Davis is also 8-1 when scoring 80 or more points. Fast starts are also big for the Aggies, as UC Davis is 11-5 when leading at the half, compared to 3-6 when trailing at the break.
• Disruptive Defense: UC Davis continues to hang its hat on a high-pressure defensive identity that remains one of the most effective in the nation. The Aggies force an average of 14.79 turnovers per game, a mark that ranks 22nd nationally and second in the Big West. This relentless pressure consistently disrupts opposing offenses, leading to a +2.0 turnover margin that is also the second-best in the conference. Beyond just forcing errors, the Aggies are adept at taking the ball away directly, averaging 7.9 steals per contest—good for 64th in the country and second in the Big West. The Aggies importantly rank 12th in the country in non-stl TO%.
• Sharing the Rock: Ball movement remains the cornerstone of the Aggie offense, as UC Davis ranks 72nd nationally and fourth in the Big West with 15.9 assists per game. The team's commitment to unselfish play is evident in their scoring balance, with six different players averaging at least 8.6 points per game. Highlighting their incredible consistency as facilitators, the Aggies have recorded 10 or more assists in every single game this season, extending that streak through their recent clash with Hawai'i. UC Davis ranks 25th in the country as well in assist percentage, with 61.2% of the team field goals coming off an assist.
• Cooking With Connor: Connor Sevilla has established himself as one of the Big West's most reliable perimeter scorers and elite closers. Sevilla leads the team with 13.6 points per game and has proven to be nearly automatic from the charity stripe, shooting a stellar 90.0% (99-of-110) on the season, a mark that ranks 22nd nationally. His range is equally dangerous; he is averaging 2.29 three-pointers per game while maintaining a sharp 41.3% clip from beyond the arc.
• Cooper's Continued Ascent: Nils Cooper has emerged as the team's most efficient offensive threat, leading the Aggies with a 54.9% field goal percentage while contributing 12.3 points per game. Cooper's versatility was on full display in mid-February against Cal State Fullerton, where he exploded for a career-high 26 points, matching his other career-high output at Nevada. He provides immense value on the defensive end as well, where his 41 steals rank among the best in the Big West.
• Niko the Anchor: Niko Rocak serves as the defensive heartbeat of the Aggies, leading the team with 42 total blocks. His 1.50 blocks per game average ranks third in the Big West and 71st nationally, making him a premier rim protector in the conference. Rocak is also the team's most reliable force on the glass, leading UC Davis with 5.0 rebounds per contest, while providing efficient scoring with a 54.0% field goal percentage. For his career, Rocak is nearing a major defensive milestone with 148 career blocks, just two shy of the 150-mark.
• Marcus Making His Mark: Freshman Marcus Wilson has become a vital piece of the Aggies' rotation, averaging 11.7 points and 3.9 assists per game. His 114 total assists rank fourth in the Big West, underscoring his growth as both a primary scorer and playmaker. Wilson is currently playing his best basketball of the season. Following his Big West Player of the Week honors in early February, Wilson exploded for a season-high 25 points against Hawaii on February 26. He has now scored 24 or more points in three of his last seven games.
• Stokes Stepping Up: Freshman Jalen Stokes has provided consistent production off the bench, averaging 4.7 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. Stokes has been particularly dangerous in Big West play from the free-throw line, where he is shooting a blistering 88.9% (32-of-36), ranking third in the conference during league games. His poise as a young contributor has given the Aggies critical depth during the conference stretch.
• Call on Carl: Carl Daughtery Jr. has been a revelation for the Aggies during his senior campaign, averaging 10.0 points per game while shooting an elite 43.3% from three-point range on the season. His efficiency has only increased during Big West play; in conference games, Daughtery is shooting 45.1% from deep, good for 2nd best in the league.
• Brayden's All-Around Impact: Brayden Fagbemi has solidified his status as one of the Big West's elite floor generals and defensive pests. Fagbemi currently leads the Big West in steals per game (1.89) and ranks second in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.13). On the historical front, Fagbemi is closing in 900 career points, sitting at 886 and also has 360 career assists. His unselfish play is further highlighted by his team-leading 115 total assists this season.
• Suljanovic's Steady Contributions: With Nils Cooper and Jalen Stokes sidelined against Hawaii, freshman Omer Suljanovic provided a critical boost in the frontcourt. Suljanovic hauled in a team-high 8 rebounds against the Rainbow Warriors, marking his second-highest rebounding total of the season.

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.