MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Below are the Southern States Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Players to Watch for the 2025-26 season.
Each team selected one newcomer and one returner to feature. The SSAC Men’s Basketball Championship takes place Feb. 25-28 at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala.
Abraham Baldwin
Returner
Tommie Hall
SO, PG, Jacksonville, Fla.
- "Highly intense"
- "He has so much passion, so competitive"
Newcomer
Landon Chattam
SO, SG, LaGrange College
- "Smart kid, even-keeled"
- Has lots of speed
Blue Mountain Christian
Returner
Jalen Boyd-Savage
SR, Guard, Pennsauken, N.J.
- Jalen Boyd-Savage is an experienced senior guard who brings a multitude of intangibles to our program. Jalen is a vocal leader who brings maturity, understanding, and competitiveness to our team. With Jalen’s athleticism and ability to score the basketball, we are expecting a big season from the returning guard.
Newcomer
Gavin Shannon
JR, Forward, South Plains College
- Gavin Shannon is an incoming wing/forward that will bring versatility, length, and high level playing experience to our program. Gavin has a unique ability that allows him to play and guard 1-5, all while being highly efficient. With Gavin’s IQ, decision making, and ability to play in space, look for him to have a big season within our system.
Brewton-Parker Christian
Returner
Tommy Tisdale III
SO, Wing
- Freshman of the Year.
- Expected to be the driving force for the Barons.
- Increased leadership and mental growth during the offseason.
- The coaching staff expects him to take the next step this season.
Newcomer
Jayden Hill
JR, Wing, Marshalltown CC
- Excellent playing time experience.
- Great shot-making ability, the team looks to use.
- Incredible work ethic and determination as a transfer.
Dalton State
Returner
Qualen Pettus
SR, G/F, Fort Wayne, Ind.
- 2025 2nd team All-SSAC
- Averaged 14pts, 7.4rebs, 2.9 ast
Newcomer
Ja'Ron Briggs
JR, Guard, West Florida
- Averaged 5.8 pts, 5.5 rebs, 3.9 ast
Faulkner
Returner
KJ Rogers
SR, Guard, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Second team all-SSAC guard in 2024-25
- Averaged 13.3 points, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game last season
- Explosive guard with 7 20-point or better performances en route to the NAIA National Tournament last year
Newcomer
Tanner Vogel
SO, Forward, Western New Mexico Univ.
- Skilled seven-footer with great court vision to couple his abilities to pass and dribble
- The Western Australian also carries the ability to rebounding and scoring around the basket at a high level
Life
Returner
Srdjan Popovic
SR, Guard, Belgrade, Serbia
- Srdjan Popovic enters his senior year as one of the winningest players in Life University Men's Basketball program history with 68 career wins and a winning percentage of 72.3%. He is coming off a junior season in which he started 33 games on a Sweet 16 team and set career high marks in points, assists and three-point percentage (39.9%). Popovic looks to continue his successful career this year and make more leaps in his game as he sets out to lead the Running Eagles to another NAIA tournament.
Newcomer
Josh Baugher
SR, G/F, Bryan College
- Josh Baugher comes to Life University following back-to-back All-Conference Team nominations at Bryan College, including a selection to the All-Defensive team, Champions of Character and All-Academic teams. Baugher stuffed the stat sheet last season, averaging 14 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists per game while shooting 50% from the field. His versatility and positionless skillset will be immensely valuable to the Running Eagles this season.
Loyola
Returner
Kosta Bjelicic
SO, Center
- Kosta is coming off of an all-freshman team performance, and we expect him to take a big step in year two. Kosta is a very skilled scorer and passer on the block, and we expect him to be featured in our offense this season.
Newcomer
Eain Mowat
RS JR, Guard, Central Missouri
- Eain Mowat is a terrific shooter with a high iq. Eain will be a player we expect to bring a spark to us on the offensive side of the ball as both a playmaker and scorer.
Mobile
Returner
Jarvis Moss
SR, Guard
- Averaged 8ppg as the 6th man for the Rams last year, shooting 37% from 3 and 88% from the FT line.
- Career high 25 points. Scored over 20 points 3 times and double figures 10 times.
- Scored 21 points in the final 13 minutes of play in the 1st Round of the NAIA National Tournament, helping the Rams defeat IU-Northwest 99-91 in double OT
Newcomer
Alex Hammond
SR, Guard, Loyola
- SSAC All-Freshman Team in 2023
- 2 X SSAC Champion 2023, 2024
- 13ppg in 2024. Scored in double figures 22 times and over twenty 5 times.
Point
Returner
Tanner Higgins
SR, Guard
- Sharpshooter coming off the bench last year shooting 40% from 3
- Looking to take more of a leadership role as a starter this year
Newcomer
Cahlib Edwards
JR, Guard, Edward Waters
- Cahlib as a freshman at Edward Waters averaged 10 ppg
- Cahlib will make an impact on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
Thomas
Returner
Tyson Anderson
JR, Guard
- Anderson has been a steady contributor for the Night Hawks over the past two seasons, averaging 10.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. A skilled shot maker, he’s hit 41% from the field and 36% from three-point range across his career. He’s scored in double figures in 31 of 57 games, including a career-high 25 points against Paine College.
Newcomer
Je'hvonni Hogan
SR, Guard, Southern Wesleyan
- Hogan is a big-time athlete with good size and motor, bringing experience from Southern Wesleyan University (D2). His career highs there include 22 points and 8 rebounds in separate games, and he previously averaged 17.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game at Community Christian College (NJCAA).
UT Southern
Returner
Mike Bell
JR
- Mike is coming off of the 24-25 season where he averaged 12.2 ppg - a mark that put him in the top 30 in scoring in the SSAC. He was hampered with a late season injury last year which limited his availability and effectiveness down the stretch but is now fully recovered. Mike is unquestionably one of our most experienced and respected players and we will lean on him heavily.
Newcomer
Daniel Reyes
- Daniel is a transfer from SUNY Niagara where his team advanced to the Junior College National Tournament. In the recruiting process, we wanted to identify recruits that were first and foremost from winning programs. Daniel is a high IQ big who gives us a lot of options in how we want to play offensively. Lastly, Daniel is an incredible teammate and an everyday guy.
William Carey
Returner
Makeem Roberts
SR, G/F, Meridian, Miss.
- Only returning starter from last year, Makeen is a stat stuffer who can play several positions for the Crusaders. Last season, he led the Crusaders in rebounds per game (6.2), steals (55), blocked shots (16) and assist/turnover ratio (+2.34). Makeem was 2nd on the team in total assists (68) and is considered as one of the strongest and toughest defenders on the squad. A true team player who makes his presence known on the floor in many ways.
- We are expecting great things from Makeem this year, not only a player, but as a team leader. He is a good, solid overall player who knows his role and brings great energy to our team. He plays hard on both ends of the floor and is a very savvy player."
Newcomer
Malik Franklin
JR, Guard, Jones College
- A left-handed guard, Franklin transfers to WCU from Jones College where he played an integral part in helping Jones College to a NJCAA D1 Region 23 Championship last year and a berth in the NJCAA National Tournament. He averaged 6.1 ppg off the bench (18.1 points per 40 minutes played), had 26 steals and a +1.9 assist/turnover ratio. In high school at Vicksburg High (Miss.), he was MHSAA 5A Mr. Basketball and participated in the Mississippi/Alabama All Star after leading Vicksburg to a 28-3 overall record.
- “One of many talented newcomers, Malik is an explosive offensive player with a solid overall game. He has great quickness and the ability to take a game over on any given night. He will fit in perfectly in our style of play."