In the era of modern college basketball, where rosters flip like calendar pages and loyalty is often transactional, true brotherhood can feel like an artifact. Yet inside the locker room at Charleston Southern University, three graduate transfers have built something far beyond a one-year partnership.

From a distance, there could not have been three more different student-athletes joining the CSU program ahead of the 2025-2026 season. A point guard from Kansas who began his career in junior college. A classic rock–loving sharpshooter from New Jersey, armed with a decorated Division III résumé. And a Division II double-double machine from the heart of Mississippi. 

Different paths. Different skills. Different frames and personalities. But the closer you look at Luke Williams, Jesse Hafemeister, and Trent Coleman, the more their shared values come into focus.

The story began in March 2025, when Coleman and Hafemeister arrived in the Palmetto State for a joint official visit. Neither knew quite what to expect—from the campus, the city, or each other. They remember their first meal vividly. Not because of what was ordered, but because of what was initiated.

"I could quickly tell Trent was a social guy with good values. We were both glad to have each other on the visit since neither one of us knew exactly what to expect," Hafemeister said.

A successful lunch would later be followed by a workout—an event each player was grateful they had a partner to complete with. 

"When we worked out together during the visit, I think both of us were coming off our spring break weeks. So we definitely were glad we had each other to get through it together," Coleman said.

Hafemeister still laughs at the memory.

"We did this passing and shooting drill and once we got done, we were so exhausted. It was cool to share that experience with someone from the very start like that… We were talking and laughing for a while in the locker room after."

Both Coleman and Hafemeister committed to the Buccaneer program during their official visits, and nearly three months later, they would arrive in the Holy City ready to move into what would be their home for their final year of collegiate eligibility.

On move-in day, they would meet their third roommate, Luke Williams.

"When I met them, I could tell they were chill guys who would be easy to get along with. We were all really eager to get to know each other, and it's only gotten better since," Williams said.

Their first night together unfolded like so many college beginnings do—with a trip to Walmart and Cook Out. Since furniture hadn't arrived yet, the apartment floor was scattered with grocery bags and trays of food. The three sat each with their back on a wall, talking for hours.

Hafemeister remembers a specific thought he had during that night on the floor.

"I remember feeling very lucky that these were the two guys I got to room with for this journey. I'm a quieter person by nature, but with them everything was immediately comfortable."

For Coleman, it marked the foundation. 

"Our relationship was able to get so strong I think because we built chemistry from the very start," he said.

That chemistry, all three agree, was accelerated by Coleman's extroversion.

"I feel like our relationship is cool because Jesse and I are quiet, but Trent being so sociable helped each of us open up to each other quicker," Williams said.

Coleman didn't dispute the claim.

"I'm never going to be the shy one. I talk a lot on the court especially. No matter the situation, I'm going to bring some sparks to it. If I was quiet, I don't know how our relationship would look, but it definitely would be different."

Their differences show up on film as clearly as they do off the court. Williams is the steady floor general—ultra-consistent, resilient, almost mechanical. Hafemeister is the shot-maker, the one who lets the ball fly when most would doubt themselves. Coleman is the enforcer, the emotional current—"the guy you want in the trenches with you."

And yet, like their personalities, their games interlock.

"I love being on the court with those two," Hafemeister said. "Luke is one of the most impressive players I've ever played with. His ability to always do the right thing even through fatigue is insane. You never stop trusting Luke when he's out there with you… Trent's energy is incredible. He's someone you want to fight with, someone you want in the trenches with you. He's just so positive and during all those moments when you need some confidence, he can make you feel way better about yourself. Both on the court and in life."

Coleman echoed the praise for Williams' command. And when Williams was asked about his fellow veterans, he emphasized maturity.

"Since Jesse and Trent are both older guys, their games are very mature. We each have our own skill sets, and they mesh super well. When I'm on the court with them, there's a different type of chemistry because we spend so much time together in and outside of basketball."

At one point during the construction of this story, Coleman offered a line that felt almost accidental in its poetry:

"Our games compliment each other as people."

It was less a scouting report than a thesis statement.

The season has not been without turbulence. Graduate transfers rarely arrive with guarantees—only experience. But perspective has been their stabilizer.

"Through the ups and downs this year, we've been able to have a shared perspective," Hafemeister said. "We have all won and lost during our college careers and even though they're different, we bring a lot of experiences to the table. Nothing we experienced this season was our first time going through something like that, and that has been something we've been able to share with each other and help the team with… We have grown as men together during this ride just as much as we have as teammates."

In addition to a wealth of basketball experience, the trio has another thing in common this year — it is all of their last seasons playing collegiate hoops. With only two games remaining in the regular season, each player reflected on how the others impacted their last ride in college athletics.

For Williams, the memories won't just be the bright lights.

"It's good to have people you relate to. We've all shared similar situations coming from lower levels before CSU, so as far as the moments I'll remember with these guys, it's the little things we get to go through together every day. Being able to go home and talk to them after games and practices, stuff like that. It has been easier to keep fighting when you are on the same page like we are."

Hafemeister didn't hesitate when asked how the year will stay with him.

"They have improved my experience more than I could've imagined. I'm able to trust and lean on both of them, and that's something I'll smile about for a long time… getting to call those guys brothers."

Coleman's reflection circled back to the offseason grind—the Sunday workouts, the extra reps, the consistent proof of commitment.

"All I see is two brothers that will be there for me through the good and the bad. We used to work out every Sunday together in the off-season. We would get extra workouts in whenever we could. They're just straight up good dudes. They're always there for you."

Years from now, when their playing days are behind them and the arenas are replaced by wherever life leads, Williams, Hafemeister, and Coleman will still have two names they can always call and count on.

The college basketball world is a rapidly evolving planet, but despite the speed of that evolution, a rose in the shape of brotherhood was able to grow in Charleston. And in the words of the kid from the Garden State, Jesse Hafemeister:

"When you get ready for this grad-transfer year, you know it is going to be a quick experience. At first you do not know if you will find teammates that you can get this close with, but when I think about Luke and Trent, there is no hesitation. Those are my guys."