AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's men's basketball enters the 2025-26 season looking to build on last year's NCAA Tournament appearance with a roster defined by its veteran leadership, system, and youthful potential.
 
At the heart of the roster are seniors MASON COURTNEY, JAMISON KAY, CONOR MCMANUS, and BLAKE NIELSEN — bringing veteran leadership and familiarity to a locker room filled with new energy. 
 
Nielsen headlines the veteran group, returning to the court after suffering a season-ending injury in the second game of the 2024-25 season. The two-time all-conference guard enters the season chasing multiple career milestones. With 832 career points and 340 assists, he's on track to surpass 1,000 career points with an opportunity to challenge the program's all-time career assists record of 466.
 
"The timing of the injury ended up being fortunate," Nielsen said. "It gave me a whole year to recover, rehab, and build everything back up. I feel ready, my body feels good, and I'm excited to help this team win."
 
McManus and Courtney return as interchangeable and complementary wings, hitting 84 and 69 3-pointers last season at 44.7 and 46.3 percent — the fifth and eighth most in a season by a Hilltopper — while providing toughness and defense.
 
Kay returns as a key presence on both ends of the floor after turning in an All-LSC Honorable Mention season last year while playing out of position. Kay opened the year as the starting center but shifted to power forward to accommodate LEWIS ROWE after Nielsen's injury. 
 
His versatility showed in his ability to defend multiple positions and take on increased playmaking responsibilities as St. Edward's weathered injuries late. Now, the Hilltoppers will lean on him further as both a player and a leader. 
 
"We've got a lot of freshmen, so I'm excited to mentor them and show them the ropes of college basketball," Kay says. "Going into my third year in the Lone Star Conference, I kind of know what to expect. I prepared myself better this offseason, and I think it's going to be a big year." 
 
St. Edward's depth continues with returners WONDER KAHOZI, TRAVON WILLIAMS, LUCA BAREI, Braedon Spinden, and SAM MCKINNEY. Among them, McKinney stands out after being named to the Lone Star Conference All-Freshman Team last season, a testament to the program's ongoing ability to develop and incorporate young talent. 
 
The Hilltoppers will rely on their player development with an offseason that brought an influx of seven first-time Hilltoppers — a mix of transfers and true freshmen — including SHUG JINKAL, GEORGE MCCOY, COLE FROHARDT, DONOVAN SANTORO, ROBERT CONRAD, RYDER BRADLEY, and MAX FILDERMAN. Each arrives ready to compete for playing time and contribute to the team's depth.
 
"I've experienced a lot over my five years, and I just try to share that with the younger guys," Nielsen said. "We've built a really connected team — we hang out, eat together, play games — and that chemistry shows when we're on the court."
 
Tying it all together is head coach Andre Cook, who returns for his 16th season guiding the Hilltoppers with a mix of experience, stability, and a history of success. 
 
Cook remains the program's steady heartbeat. Since joining St. Edward's in 2009, he has guided the Hilltoppers through years of growth and achievement. In early 2025, he celebrated his 400th collegiate coaching win, marking over two decades of leadership and success on the sidelines. 
 
Under his leadership, the Hilltoppers have earned a reputation for their discipline, work ethic, and consistent competitiveness within one of Division II's toughest conferences. He attributes his success to the relationships the program builds.
 
"I want these guys to look back and say they had a great college experience," Cook said. "The wins and losses matter, but what's more important is that they feel cared for, that they made good friends, and that being part of this program was something special."
 
St. Edward's brings fresh (but familiar) faces to its coaching staff. Nelson Terroba brings over 19 years of coaching experience at the collegiate and professional levels, and All-LSC point guard GAVINO RAMOS transitions from player to his new role as graduate assistant, joining holdover Frankie Rainville on Cook's coaching staff.
 
"I'm starting my 30th year as a head coach overall, and I still get excited to come to work," Cook said. "Every season is a new book — a new group writing their story. I feel lucky to keep doing what I love."
 
The Lone Star Conference once again presents a challenging slate filled with physical, competitive matchups. St. Edward's aims to build early momentum during non-conference play, with Cook and his staff emphasizing attention to detail, balanced scoring, and defensive intensity as keys to success.
 
"The Lone Star Conference is so deep — you can finish fourth or fifth and still make the NCAA tournament," Cook said. "It'd be a disappointment if we're not playing into March, because that's the standard we've built here."
 
"The goal's the same as last year — make the conference tournament and the NCAA tournament," Kay adds. "Individual stuff doesn't mean much to me if we're not winning."
 
As practices continue on the Hilltop, optimism surrounds the program. With veteran leadership from its senior class, renewed depth across the lineup, and a coaching staff anchored by one of the most accomplished figures in program history, St. Edward's men's basketball enters the 2025-26 season poised for another strong run in the Lone Star Conference.