Men's Basketball 10/23/2026 4:04:00 PM

New Faces Lead Cumberland into 2026-27 Men’s Basketball Season

LEBANON, Tenn.--A new-look Cumberland men's basketball team takes the floor in 2026-27 as head coach Eric Evans II welcomes a recruiting class featuring experienced transfers and accomplished high school players to join returning guards Nick Brunetti and Jaren Davis.

The Phoenix open the season Saturday, October 24, at Kentucky Christian in Grayson, Ky., before returning to Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena for their home opener against Brescia on October 30. With substantial changes throughout the roster, Cumberland's early schedule will provide opportunities to establish a rotation and build chemistry ahead of Mid-South Conference play.

Cumberland finished 11-17 overall and 3-9 in conference action last season, averaging 75.9 points and 37.2 rebounds per game. The Phoenix shot 45.1 percent from the field and 32.0 percent from three-point range while collecting 8.8 steals per contest. Cumberland closed its home schedule with a 103-94 double-overtime victory over Bethel before falling 70-66 to Cumberlands in the conference tournament.

Replacing the production of last season's top three scorers will be a significant task. Triston Conger led Cumberland with 17.6 points per game and 100 assists, while Michael Nwoye averaged 12.4 points and 8.3 rebounds with 46 blocks. Zaylin Rowland added 11.0 points per outing.

Brunetti provides the most experienced returning presence in the backcourt. The junior from Ashland City, Tenn., started 24 of his 26 appearances last season and averaged 9.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 31.5 minutes per game. Brunetti led the Phoenix with 32 three-pointers while contributing 41 assists, 30 steals and 21 blocks. He also connected on 78.6 percent of his free throws.

Davis returns for his sophomore season after appearing in 27 games with seven starts. The Cookeville, Tenn., native averaged 4.7 points in 13.6 minutes per contest and knocked down 24 three-pointers. Together, Brunetti and Davis accounted for 56 of Cumberland's 158 made threes last season, giving the Phoenix familiar perimeter options as the newcomers settle into the lineup.

A trio of Columbia State Community College transfers brings familiarity with one another to the Phoenix roster. Guards Kenny Ellis and Arnez Anderson join forward Malik Currie after competing together at the junior college level.

Ellis, a 6-foot-1 junior from Mt. Juliet, Tenn., appeared in 33 games for Columbia State in 2025-26, averaging 5.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 steals. His experience contributing as a distributor, rebounder and defender adds another established college guard alongside Brunetti and Davis.

Anderson, a Nashville native who played at Hillsboro High School, averaged 7.0 points and 1.6 assists across 25 games last season. The 6-foot-2 junior shot 43.8 percent from the field and 85.7 percent from the free-throw line. Currie adds a 6-foot-7 presence in the frontcourt after averaging 3.8 points and 3.6 rebounds in 30 appearances for the Chargers.

Asa Hardyway brings additional collegiate experience from Fisk. The 6-foot-2 junior returns to the Nashville area after attending Hunters Lane High School. During Fisk's matchup with Tennessee State last November, Hardyway contributed 10 points and nine rebounds against the Division I Tigers.

Caleb Carpenter rounds out the transfer additions. A 6-foot-9, 230-pound sophomore from Athens, Ala., Carpenter arrives from Calhoun Community College and gives Cumberland another option inside as the Phoenix rebuild their frontcourt.

The freshman class includes several players with notable high school accomplishments, including Lyon County standout Bray Kirk. The 6-foot-2 guard from Eddyville, Ky., earned Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches Region 2 Player of the Year honors as a senior. Kirk was averaging 21.3 points and 3.6 rebounds when the award was announced in February, bringing a proven scoring background to Cumberland's backcourt.

Caleb Clarke joins Kirk among the Kentucky additions. The 6-foot-3 guard from Ashland Blazer averaged 20.6 points during his senior season, giving the Phoenix another newcomer who carried a significant scoring load at the high school level.

Cole Eads adds another shooting option after a record-setting performance during his senior year at Clay County. Eads knocked down a school-record 11 three-pointers and scored 36 points in a District 7-A Tournament victory over Red Boiling Springs. The 5-foot-11 guard joins a perimeter group with opportunities to replace much of last season's offensive production.

Mari Bowman arrives from Beech High School with championship experience. The 6-foot-2 Chattanooga native was identified as a two-time state champion in coverage of his move to Beech, where he completed his high school career. Josh Wiley, a 6-foot-3 guard from Oakland High School, Grayson Scragg, a 6-foot-1 guard from Donelson Christian Academy, and Marcell Jackson, a 6-foot guard from Clarksville Academy, provide additional newcomers in the backcourt.

Inside, Ali Tore brings size and a strong rebounding background from Ezell-Harding Christian Academy. The 6-foot-9 freshman from Turkey was averaging 15 points and 13.6 rebounds during his senior season when featured by 615 Preps in February. His arrival adds a player with experience producing around the basket and controlling the glass.

Lucas Haymer, a 6-foot-8 freshman from Lighthouse Christian School, adds further length to the frontcourt. Keller Jackson, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound forward from Blackman High School, and Chris Johnson, a 6-foot-7 forward from Nolensville High School, round out the incoming forwards.

The roster gives Cumberland several combinations to explore, with experienced college guards joining a freshman class that brings scoring, shooting and size. Turning those individual backgrounds into consistent team production will be central to the Phoenix's progress.

Rebounding and ball security offer opportunities for improvement. Cumberland was outrebounded by 6.4 boards per game during conference play last season and averaged 15.7 turnovers overall. Establishing a stronger presence inside and creating efficient possessions will be important as the Phoenix work toward a better finish in the Mid-South.

Following the opener at Kentucky Christian, Cumberland travels to Union Commonwealth on October 28 before hosting Brescia and Mobile. The nonconference schedule also includes Georgia Gwinnett, games against Reinhardt and Pikeville at The Show in Kingsport, and a December trip to North Alabama.

Mid-South Conference play begins January 7 when Cumberland hosts Lindsey Wilson, followed by Campbellsville on January 9. The Phoenix conclude the regular season February 20 against Georgetown at Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena.

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Players Mentioned

#1 Triston Conger: G; 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior

#7 Michael Nwoye: F; 6' 7"; Freshman

#42 Zaylin Rowland: G; 6' 2"; Freshman

#77 Nick Brunetti: G; 6' 4"; Junior

#2 Jaren Davis: G; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#5 Arnez Anderson: G; 6' 2"; Junior

#24 Caleb Clarke: G; 6' 3"; Freshman

#13 Malik Currie: F; 6' 7"; Sophomore

Cole Eads: G; 5' 11"; Freshman

#1 Kenny Ellis: G; 6' 1"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#1 Triston Conger
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior
: G

#7 Michael Nwoye
: 6' 7"; Freshman
: F

#42 Zaylin Rowland
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: G

#77 Nick Brunetti
: 6' 4"; Junior
: G

#2 Jaren Davis
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: G

#5 Arnez Anderson
: 6' 2"; Junior
: G

#24 Caleb Clarke
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: G

#13 Malik Currie
: 6' 7"; Sophomore
: F

Cole Eads
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: G

#1 Kenny Ellis
: 6' 1"; Junior
: G