ELON, N.C. – The Elon University men's basketball team and head coach Billy Taylor announced the program's newcomers on Thursday, June 26 as the Phoenix welcomes 10 players who are scheduled to don the maroon and gold during the 2025-26 season.
 
"I am pleased and excited to officially introduce the newest class of Elon Men's Basketball student-athletes," said Taylor. "With the recent roster turnover, our staff placed a strong emphasis on identifying individuals who not only fit our program's competitive goals but also align with the values and mission of Elon University.
 
"Throughout the recruiting process, we were intentional in addressing specific needs related to experience and on-court skill. I believe we've successfully assembled a group that reflects a strong and balanced foundation for our future. This class includes a thoughtful mix of graduate transfers, multi-year transfers, and high school prospects—each bringing unique strengths and potential to our team."
 
The 10-member class consists of eight transfers and two first-year players who will join returners Isaac Harrell, Ned Hull, Trey O'Neil, Savion Taylor and Austin Williams for the maroon and gold.
 
"We are confident that these young men will represent our program with pride, on the court, in the classroom, and in the community," added Taylor. "We look forward to the impact they will make as student-athletes at Elon."
 
TRANSFERS
Ja' Juan Carr | Guard • 6-2 • 192 • Burgaw, N.C. • Pender (UNC Pembroke/Cape Fear CC/UNCW)
 
• Spent three seasons at UNC Pembroke, appearing in 91 games while making 89 starts.
• Helped UNCP to three straight NCAA DII tournament appearances.
• Averaged 11.1 points per game and shot 53.5 percent from the floor and 45.6 percent from three-point range
• Named Second Team All-Carolinas Conference in 2024-25
• Conference Carolinas Third Team All-Conference in 2022-23
• Played one season (2021-22) at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, N.C.
• Redshirted his true freshman year at UNCW in 2020-21
 
Bryson Cokley | Guard • 6-6 • 190 • Whiteville, N.C. • The Christ School (George Mason)
• Was a member of the George Mason men's basketball team in 2024-25
• Competed for the Christ School in greater Asheville
• Led the Greenies to the 2023 and 2024 NCISAA 4A state titles
• Two-time All-Carolinas Athletic Conference selection
• As a junior, hit 54 3-pointers and shot 38 percent from beyond the arc
• On the AAU circuit, starred for TeamCP3 and was a two-time EYBL All-Session selection
• Originally committed to Wake Forest
 
Chandler Cuthrell | Forward • 6-8 • 220 • Baltimore, Md. • Baltimore City College (Purdue Fort Wayne)
• Spent one season at Purdue Fort Wayne in 2024-25, playing in 32 games while averaging 7.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Scored in double figures 10 times while recording three double-doubles
• Played the 2023-24 season at UTSA, appearing in 31 games and averaging 4.9 points
• Spent two seasons at Odessa College
• Born in Greensboro, N.C., he played the first two years of his high school career at Baltimore's Kenwood High School before finishing his prep career at Baltimore City College for his final two seasons
 
Iker Garmendia | Forward • 6-9 • 210 • Barcelona, Spain • Joventut Badalona (UIC)
• Spent his freshman year at UIC in 2024-25, but redshirted due to injury
• Has suited up for the Joventut Badalona club in Spain's Liga EBA, averaging 11.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while appearing in 30 games
• In 2023-24, he averaged 15.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game and led the team with 31 three-pointers in 15 games
• Has been a key contributor to Spain's U16 and U18 national teams, helping his country earn silver medals at the 2022 FIBA U16 European Championships and 2023 FIBA U18 European Championships
 
Kacper Klaczek | Forward • 6-8 • 220 • Chorzow, Poland • Long Island Lutheran (UAlbany/Saint Joseph's)
• Spent the 2024-25 season as a member of the UAlbany men's basketball program, appearing in 33 games with 25 starts, averaging 8.7 points and 5.4 rebounds in 29.2 minutes per game
• Played at Saint Joseph's, appearing in 67 games, starting 25 for a total of 1362 minutes played
• Played two years for Long Island Lutheran
• Played for the Polish National Team, leading Poland to a silver medal at the 2019 FIBA U18 European Championship Division B
• Played for Poland's U14 and U16 squads.
 
Caleb Middleton | Center • 6-11 • 215 • Dover, N.H. • Brewster Academy (New Hampshire)
• Spent his freshman year (2024-25) at New Hampshire, playing in 31 games
• Recorded 118 points (3.8 PPG), 107 rebounds (3.5 RPG)
• Finished second on the team in blocks (14) and fourth on the team in rebounds (107)
• 2024 graduate of Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.)
• Previously played for Western Reserve Academy in Ohio, leading the team to the Ohio Prep Championship
• Also played for the Boston Amateur Basketball Club
 
Randall Pettus II | Guard • 6-3 • 197 • Bessemer City, N.C. • Bessemer City (Northern Kentucky)
• Spent two seasons as a member of the Northern Kentucky men's basketball team
• Appeared in 44 career games with 14 starts for the Norse, averaging 6.3 points and 3.0 rebounds per contest in 19.2 minutes per game
• Played at Bessemer City High School and was named the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A Boys Player of the Year during his junior season after he averaged better than 25 points, five rebounds and five assists per game
• Was ranked as the 47th prospect overall out of the state of North Carolina by PrepHoops.com
• Was a member of the elite Charlotte Aces AAU club
 
Bryson Spell | Forward • 6-9 • 230 • Virginia Beach, Va. • Cape Henry Collegiate School (Liberty)
• Was a member of the Liberty University men's basketball program, appearing in 48 career games
• Garnered inclusion on ASUN Academic Honor Roll
• Played for Cape Henry Collegiate School and head coach Mark Hall
• Averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game in his final season
• Led Cape Henry to an undefeated season and a State Championship
• Four-year letter winner and starter at Cape Henry where he was a Second Team All-TCIS and was an Honorable Mention All-State DI VISAA
 
FIRST YEARS
Alex Brabec | Guard • 6-2 • 185 • Ann Arbor, Mich. • Skyline High School
• Competed at Skyline High School where he was the leading scorer and All-Conference performer
• Helped his high school team to a top-13 ranking in the state
• Played on the R.E.A.C.H. Legends club team where he was the leading scorer
 
DeMarco Johnson | Guard • 6-4 • 165 • Long Beach, Calif. • Oak Hill Academy
• Played under head coach Yerrick Stoneman at Oak Hill Academy, a member of the EYBL Scholastic Conference featuring some of the top prep school programs in the country
• Led the Warriors to a 20-11 record during the 2024-25 season
• Named the Most Improved Player
• Prior to Oak Hill, he was named Second Team All-Trinity League in the California Interscholastic Federation
• Named as a Ball Is Life All-American
• Played Club/AAU ball with the Las Vegas Knicks