CHARLESTON — Monday morning, the Charleston Southern men's basketball program and head coach Saah Nimley announced the team's full 2026 incoming class.

"First and foremost, I am happy to be able to retain Lase (Olalere), Jacob (Taylor), Devin (Brafford), and Kaleb (Lofton). We are grateful to them and their families in an era of transfers to decide to continue their development here with us at Charleston Southern. They bring back a useful amount of game experience, but also fully understand who we are and the culture we have and expect. I fully trust them to lead the way with the new group we are welcoming to campus. With that being said, we are very excited to welcome multiple new faces to our program heading into next season. Our assistant coaches have worked tirelessly since last season's conclusion to piece together this roster, and we were able to stay true to who we are when it comes to skill, shooting, and IQ. We have also added length and athleticism on the defensive end. We are extremely excited to get right to work when this group gets together in June," said Nimley.

The Buccaneers have assembled one of the most intriguing incoming classes in recent program memory, blending proven college scorers, versatile international prospects, and a pair of high-upside freshmen who fit the developmental blueprint head coach Saah Nimley and his staff continue to build. There's size. There's shooting. There's athleticism. There's experience.

A closer look at each newcomer and what they bring to the Lowcountry can be found below:

 

RILEY BROOKS | 6'5" | Ripon, WI | Carthage

A ready-made bucket getter. If Charleston Southern needed an immediate perimeter scoring punch, Riley Brooks may be the answer.

The 6-foot-5 wing arrives from Carthage College after establishing himself as one of Division III's most consistent offensive threats, and the production speaks loudly. Brooks earned back-to-back All-CCIW First Team honors while averaging 17.5 points this past season, pouring in 456 total points while shooting 44.8 percent from the field, 36.5 percent from three, and an elite 85.7 percent from the foul line. He reached double figures in 20 of 26 games and eclipsed the 20-point mark 11 times, including a 31-point eruption.

Last year succeeded a sophomore campaign in 2024-25 where he posted 15.8 points per game and knocked down 62 threes. Even before his Carthage breakout, Brooks showed promise at Northern Michigan, where he shot nearly 39 percent from deep as a freshman while helping capture a GLIAC championship.

The coaching staff's comparison to former Buccaneer standout Jesse Hafemeister says plenty. "He can score from anywhere," they noted, and Brooks' career trajectory supports that statement. He's a polished perimeter weapon who has steadily sharpened his efficiency while handling major offensive volume.

A four-time all-conference and three-time all-state performer at Ripon High School, Brooks was already a decorated scorer before college, averaging 25.8 points per game as a junior and earning a Top-300 national ranking from PrepHoops.

For Charleston Southern, he projects as one of the safest bets in the class to contribute immediately. Wings with his size, shot-making confidence, and collegiate scoring résumé rarely need much adjustment time.

 

JACKSON CRAWFORD | 5'11" | Daleville, VA | Emory & Henry

A guard built for pace. Few additions fit Charleston Southern's new offensive philosophy as naturally as Jackson Crawford.

The 5-foot-11 guard arrives from Emory & Henry as one of the most accomplished shot-makers in Division II, bringing the kind of scoring versatility that can thrive both on and off the ball. Coaches describe him as a player who "was a big shot maker in a tough Division II league" and believe he'll flourish in the Buccaneers' up-tempo system.

Crawford's junior season was his best yet. He averaged 15.3 points across 29 games, buried 68 triples, and earned All-South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Third Team honors. His efficiency was just as impressive: 41.5 percent from the field, 36 percent from deep, and a conference-leading 92.9 percent from the free-throw line for the second consecutive season.

That consistency came after a sophomore leap in which he averaged 11.9 points and dropped a career-high 32 against fellow SAC institution Catawba. Even in limited action as a freshman, Crawford flashed elite touch, shooting 90 percent at the stripe.

His comments to Mark Berman of The Roanoke Times reveal the confidence Charleston Southern is banking on.

"It's always been a goal of mine to play Division I," Crawford said. "I know I can compete at that level."

That self-belief has followed him since Lord Botetourt High School, where he graduated as the school's single-season scoring record holder with 567 points.

What makes Crawford particularly valuable is his flexibility. He can initiate offense, space the floor, and heat up quickly enough to change games in short bursts. In a rebuilt CSU backcourt, that versatility should make him difficult to keep off the floor.

 

TITO DENG | 7'0" | Twic, Warrap, South Sudan | Jacksonville

There may not be a more intriguing projection piece in this class than Tito Deng.

At 7-foot-0, the South Sudan native offers modern big-man tools: perimeter touch, mobility, and far above-average length. Coaches believe he'll "be able to spread the floor and give a unique look" at the five, and his profile suggests exactly that.

After appearing in just one game this past season due to injury, Deng arrives looking to reestablish momentum following flashes at Jacksonville. In 2024-25, he played 20 games and shot 39 percent from three — an eye-catching number for a player his size. 

As a freshman, he logged 13 appearances, recorded a 10-point outing against Johnson, and knocked down his first collegiate triple against UCF.

Deng's development path is unconventional, shaped by time at the Carolina Basketball Academy (CBA) and NBA Academy Africa. That background shows in his movement skills. He doesn't operate like a traditional post-bound center like Big South fans are used to seeing.

For Charleston Southern, he represents upside. Deng could become a matchup nightmare — forcing opposing bigs away from the rim while still having the capability to produce above and around it.

 

NICHOLAS ERRICA | 6'5" | Cremona, Italy | Western Michigan

International polish on a physically capable guard. Charleston Southern's backcourt gains an overseas x-factor with Nicholas Errica.

The 6-foot-5 combo guard arrives from Western Michigan with limited NCAA game reps but extensive professional and developmental experience overseas. Coaches describe him as "a balanced combo guard with finesse and power," emphasizing both his maturity and stylistic uniqueness.

Though he appeared sparingly for the Broncos, including a five-point outing against Ohio State, Errica's résumé prior to arriving stateside is what makes him that more compelling.

He played for Luiss Roma in Italy's Serie B Nazionale, suited up for Bertram Derthona Tortona in European Champions League (the second highest regarded league in the world) competition, and debuted in Italy's top professional league with Vanoli Cremona at just 16 years old. Add in Adidas EuroLeague Next Gen participation and an invitation from the Italian National Team, and it's clear he enters Charleston Southern with a level of basketball seasoning uncommon for a newcomer.

Errica may not arrive with gaudy college numbers, but his blend of size, professional structure, and polished instincts gives him one of the class's most fascinating ceilings.

 

ALEX HARPER | 6'3" | Oviedo, FL | Daytona State

Winning teams need guards who can adapt to whatever the moment demands. Alex Harper looks built for that role.

The 6-foot-3 Oviedo, Florida native joins Charleston Southern after productive stops at North Platte Community College and Daytona State, where he showed he could thrive as both a featured scorer and complementary creator. Coaches highlighted his versatility, noting that his experience allows CSU to "use him to fill a variety of backcourt needs."

At Daytona State, Harper helped capture a Citrus Conference championship while averaging 10.2 points and ranking among the conference's best free-throw shooters at 83.3 percent. Additionally, he connected on 69 three-pointers and started in 28 games.

Before last season in Daytona, he averaged 15.2 points at North Platte, scoring 20 or more in nine contests and posting a 32-point outburst against Garden City.

The scoring versatility is what stands out. Harper has proven he can absorb volume when necessary, but he's also comfortable and successful operating within structure.

His addition continues Charleston Southern's productive JUCO pipeline through Florida — a recruiting avenue that has yielded Tyree Bryan, Reis Jones, and Brycen Blaine in just the past four years.

 

DJ HUBBARD | 6'3" | Athens, GA | Cedar Shoals HS

A 6-foot-3 guard out of Cedar Shoals High School leaves Athens, Georgia as one of the most decorated players in program history, finishing with more than 1,500 career points and ranking fifth all-time in school scoring. Hubbard also earned four all-region selections, a testament to consistency.

The coaching staff sees major long-term upside.

"He'll be a well-utilized freshman," they said, citing his fundamentally strong foundation.

Hubbard's scoring pedigree gives him appeal. If he proves he can execute within Charleston Southern's system, his offensive instincts should flourish.

The younger brother of former Buccaneer and Big South All-Conference forward Phlandrous Fleming Jr., Hubbard is no stranger to his new home of Buccaneer Fieldhouse.

 

MARQUISE LESLIE | 6'7" | Atlanta, GA | Alexander HS

Every recruiting class has a player who looks tailor-made for a program's developmental vision. For Charleston Southern, that may very well be Marquise Leslie.

The 6-foot-7 freshman from Atlanta fits the exact mold Nimley's staff has repeatedly targeted: athletic, skilled, and battle-tested within Georgia's elite high school basketball ecosystem.

Leslie helped Alexander High School capture a GHSA 5A state championship in 2026 and earned two all-region selections while establishing himself as one of the Peach State's top forwards.

Coach Nimley's evaluation paints a picture of significant upside.

"He has high character, is very strong academically, and his ability to make shots, his athleticism, and his feel for the game has us very excited."

At 6-foot-7 with versatile and well-taught skills, Leslie's appeal is obvious. Players with his size who can comfortably operate on the perimeter are increasingly valuable. And that value could be substantial long-term.

 

MATHOK MAJOK | 7'4" | Kuajok, South Sudan | New Orleans

You can't teach size. Some prospects force attention the moment they step on the floor. At 7-foot-4, Mathok "Toki" Majok may turn heads the second fans see the roster. .

What separates him from novelty though, is his mobility.

The South Sudan native arrives after stops at UMass, Oral Roberts, and New Orleans, where he steadily gained Division I experience while showcasing flashes of rim-protecting and rim-punishing potential. This past season at New Orleans, he shot 74 percent from the field and recorded a standout performance against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi with six rebounds and four blocks. At Oral Roberts, he logged 155 minutes and posted another four-block effort against Kansas City.

Coaches see him as a perfect schematic fit.

"What he does well will be highlighted in our system both offensively and especially defensively."

Translation: rim runs, lob finishes, shot alteration, and capable fluidity in perimeter actions.

His high school production at Bridgeport Prep – 12 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks per game – hints at what could emerge with expanded opportunity.

Majok's upside is enormous simply because players with his dimensions and fluidity are exceptionally rare in any basketball league, but certainly uncommon to witness in mid-major college hoops.

 

ASSANE MANDIAN | 6'7" | Saly, Senegal | UNC Greensboro

The Swiss, or better yet Senegalese, Army Knife. If versatility is the defining theme of this class, Assane Mandian may be its clearest embodiment.

The 6-foot-7 wing from Senegal brings one of the most unconventional backgrounds on the roster, combining Division I experience at UNC Greensboro with developmental seasoning through NBA Academy Africa and Basketball Africa League (BAL) competition.

Coaches have labeled him a "Swiss army knife," and it fits.

Mandian played point guard during his academy days, an unusual responsibility for a player his size. That experience sharpened instincts that still surface in his game.

At UNC Greensboro, he appeared in 24 games as a freshman while shooting 44.2 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from deep. He finished among the Southern Conference's top freshman shooters by field-goal percentage.

His exhibition production in BAL play — 11 points per game while shooting 44 percent from three — further underscores his offensive versatility.

He's the kind of connective player every system needs: someone capable of defending multiple spots, facilitating offense, and spacing the floor.

For Charleston Southern, his skill set is among the most dynamic in the class.

 

JEFFERSON MCLAMB | 6'5" | Lexington, NC | Mount Olive

The Weatherman. When Buccaneer fans see McLamb next winter, they will know it's going to rain.

The simplest scouting report on Jefferson McLamb might be the most accurate:

He shoots it. Really well.

The 6-foot-5 Lexington, North Carolina native arrives after an impressive climb through multiple collegiate stops, culminating in a strong season at Division II Mount Olive where he averaged 11.5 points and shot 40.3 percent from three.

That came one year after exploding for 16.9 points per game at Cape Fear Community College, earning First Team All-Region 10 honors and knocking down 64 triples.

Coaches call him "simply an elite shooter," but they also point to underrated athleticism — particularly his vertical explosiveness.

Shooters who can also attack closeouts become significantly more dangerous. McLamb appears to have that in his toolbelt.

His steady progression, from true-freshman contributor at Southwestern Illinois to high-level JUCO scorer to productive Division II wing, reflects a player who has consistently expanded his game.

He projects as an immediate floor-spacing weapon.

 

ANTHONY RUFFOLO | 6'0" | Dayton, OH | Cedarville

Every rebuilt roster needs a steadying force. Anthony Ruffolo looks built to potentially be exactly that.

The 6-foot guard arrives from Division II Cedarville after three highly productive seasons, culminating in a 16.6-point junior campaign where he started all 28 games and reached double figures 26 times.

His growth has been remarkably linear. He averaged 9.9 points as a freshman, 12.3 as a sophomore, and 16.6 this past season while adding rebounding, playmaking, and defensive production at every step. He also delivered signature performances, including a 34-point outburst in the G-MAC semifinals and a triple-double as a freshman.

Coaches praise both his natural balance as a scorer-playmaker and his ability to mesh alongside Crawford in interchangeable guard actions.

His résumé off the floor is equally impressive: high school valedictorian, National Honor Society member, and a cybersecurity graduate.

Strong, experienced, poised, and versatile, Ruffolo brings exactly the kind of stabilizing presence winning mid-major backcourts require.
 

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