Men’s Basketball
The 2025-2026 season is primed to be a rollercoaster of uncertainty for the Drexel Dragons. Coach Zach Spiker’s program has become quite adept at navigating the turbulent waters of roster changes, successfully filling gaps left by outgoing players and achieving five consecutive winning seasons despite a constantly shifting starting lineup.
This year, however, the stakes are particularly high as the Dragons lost four members of their starting lineup from the 2024-2025 season to higher-profile schools. With these departures, expectations for the team have dipped, as evidenced by the CAA coaches poll predicting a 10th place finish for Drexel.
Returning to the court as the leading scorer is Shane Blakeney, who averaged 7.5 points per game last season. Often seen as Spiker’s “sixth starter,” Blakeney has exhibited flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency. This season marks his chance to shine, mirroring last year’s standout, Kobe MaGee. His first taste of leadership came during an exhibition game on October 28th, where he notched 12 points on 4-7 shooting in a 73-65 victory over Lafayette.
Beyond Blakeney, the Dragons boast a depth that is yet to be fully realized. The point guard position, in particular, is loaded with talent, featuring returning players like Kevon Vanderhorst and Josh Reed alongside new addition Eli Beard from Division III Mary Hardin-Baylor. Vanderhorst dazzled during the exhibition, scoring 11 points in just 17 minutes, while Beard earned a starting spot due to his impressive showing in practice.
Spiker is toying with the idea of a non-traditional approach, with multiple players like Blakeney, Villiam Garcia Adsten, and Victor Panov acting as facilitators on offense. Garcia Adsten, a versatile 6’8” forward, has demonstrated impressive capabilities, especially in attacking defenses.
The frontcourt also holds promise, featuring two towering 7’1” centers, Martin de Laporterie and Ralph Akuta. In the exhibition game, de Laporterie showcased his potential with five points, four rebounds, and three blocks in under 11 minutes. Spiker emphasizes the importance of size, as many conference rivals have similarly large players.
Graduate student Garfield Turner, who missed last season due to a meniscus injury, adds crucial experience and energy to the roster. Adding further intrigue are two exciting transfers: Dillon Tingler from Eastern Michigan University and Moses Hipps from Boise State. Tingler, a 6’7″ guard and a consensus three-star recruit, and Hipps, also a three-star recruit with four years of eligibility remaining, promise to bring talent and versatility to an already dynamic squad.
While this roster carries a number of unknowns, the depth and athleticism present can lead to intriguing matchups for opposing teams. Although there may not be a singular star this season, the array of talent allows for various playing styles that could keep rival coaches on their toes.
Women’s Basketball
On the women’s side, Amy Mallon continues her mission to elevate the Drexel Dragons into a respected program within the mid-major landscape. After securing two CAA championships in the last five years, Mallon expresses the goal to be “consistently great rather than remarkable once.” With high expectations this season, the Dragons are projected to be the second-best team in the CAA, as indicated by rival coaches.
A key figure for the Dragons this season is graduate guard Amaris Baker, a member of the All-CAA First Team and widely regarded as one of the finest players in the conference. Her decision to return for a fifth year at Drexel is seen as a significant asset by Mallon, highlighting the urgency to capitalize on this opportunity for a deep postseason run.
The roster is strengthened by returning players such as Deja Evans, Grace O’Neill, Molly Lavin, and Laine McGurk. O’Neill is noted for her versatility but has struggled with scoring, averaging just over five points per game. Still, her all-around game keeps her a staple on the floor. Meanwhile, McGurk is set to take on a larger role this season, with Mallon expecting a notable increase in her scoring and contribution to the team.
The center rotation features Evans, who impressed during her first season as a Dragon and earned CAA All-Defensive team honors, and Lavin. With nine returning players from last season, the team has a solid foundation, bolstered by three new additions, including transfer Julia Garcia Roig from Xavier University and freshmen Bria Watkins and Molly Rullo. Mallon is particularly excited about adding the Watkins sisters, who previously made waves as high school teammates, and sees potential in Rullo, coming from a family with roots in Drexel basketball.
This season, the Dragons appear poised for another thrilling journey, with high hopes for Baker to lead the team. If her teammates can step up to provide secondary scoring, they could easily emerge as leaders in the CAA.