FORT WORTH — Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball enters the 2026-27 season with a revamped roster, consecutive NAIA National Tournament appearances and a familiar leader in third-year head coach Brian Wanamaker. The Rams will look to build on that recent success while pursuing a Sooner Athletic Conference championship and another opportunity to compete on the national stage.

Texas Wesleyan finished the 2025-26 season with a 20-10 overall record and a 15-7 mark in conference play, finishing fifth in the SAC before advancing to the second round of the NAIA National Tournament in the Shreveport bracket. The Rams have qualified for the national tournament in each of Wanamaker's first two seasons as head coach, establishing a postseason standard the program hopes to sustain.
A former Texas Wesleyan All-American, Wanamaker enters his third season leading his alma mater after guiding the Rams to a 19-11 record in his debut campaign. His familiarity with the program, combined with his experience as a collegiate standout and professional player, provides continuity as Texas Wesleyan integrates a new group of players and prepares for another demanding schedule.
 

A NEW-LOOK ROSTER

Texas Wesleyan will feature a 14-player roster that combines returning contributors, transfers and newcomers from several collegiate programs. The group brings a blend of size, positional versatility and experience that the Rams will look to translate into consistent production throughout the season.
The frontcourt features 6-foot-9 junior Devon Carter, who joins Texas Wesleyan from Redlands Community College, and 6-foot-8 junior James Stevenson, who arrives from Indiana University South Bend. Junior wing Michael DeHorney, a transfer from Arizona Christian University, adds another 6-foot-8 option to the rotation.
Senior Daylen Webb, a 6-foot-7 guard from Columbia Bible College, and senior Daniel Sohn, a 6-foot-7 wing who transferred from Southeastern University, give the Rams additional length on the perimeter. Junior forward Juraj Minarovjech, who joins the program from Goshen College, further strengthens the team's frontcourt depth.
The combination of size and positional flexibility could prove valuable against the physical competition throughout the SAC. Integrating the newcomers, establishing defined roles and developing chemistry on both ends of the floor will be central to the Rams' early-season progress.
 

BACKCOURT DEPTH AND EXPERIENCE

Texas Wesleyan's backcourt features a combination of transfers, returning players and freshmen who will compete for opportunities in the rotation.
Senior Maximiliano Bowman joins the Rams from Clarke University, while junior Aiden White arrives from Dallas College-Eastfield and sophomore Jensen Knowles transfers from Oklahoma Wesleyan. Senior Jordan Burroughs, who played at Huston-Tillotson University, and sophomore Daryl Robinson, a transfer from Brescia University, provide additional options.
Freshmen Ahmed Babiker and Caleb Harris join the program from Burleson Centennial and V.R. Eaton high schools, respectively, adding new talent with local ties.
Senior Anthony Sierras returns after appearing in 25 games during the 2025-26 season. He averaged 7.2 points per game while shooting 44.5% from the field and 35.8% from 3-point range, providing the Rams with an experienced scoring option. Senior Desean Smith also returns after seeing limited action last season.
With several players capable of contributing in the backcourt, Texas Wesleyan will look to establish effective ball movement, reliable perimeter shooting and consistent defensive pressure. Distributing responsibilities across the rotation and finding dependable scoring options will be important as the Rams progress through the nonconference schedule and into league play.
 

BUILDING ON A DEFENSIVE FOUNDATION

Texas Wesleyan's performance last season reflected a team capable of contributing on both ends of the floor. The Rams averaged 36.4 rebounds per game and limited opponents to 70.6 points per contest, finishing with a positive scoring margin.
The team also recorded 239 steals and 112 blocked shots, highlighting its ability to generate turnovers and protect the basket. Maintaining that defensive production will be a priority as Wanamaker incorporates the new roster and works to establish consistent team-wide execution.
Offensively, Texas Wesleyan averaged 72.9 points per game while shooting 43.4% from the field. The Rams connected on 212 3-pointers and averaged 11.1 assists per contest, demonstrating their ability to create opportunities both inside and beyond the arc.
Improving shooting efficiency, taking care of the basketball and generating balanced scoring will be important areas of emphasis. The Rams will look to pair their defensive foundation with more consistent offensive execution as they pursue another successful season.

WANAMAKER ENTERS THIRD SEASON

Wanamaker's connection to Texas Wesleyan dates to his playing career, when he established himself as one of the program's standout performers. He earned All-Red River Athletic Conference honors twice and was named the conference's player of the year in 2010-11. That season, he received first-team NAIA All-American recognition after averaging 19.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and five assists per game.
He returned to Texas Wesleyan as an assistant coach in 2019-20 before being promoted to head coach in June 2024. Since taking over the program, Wanamaker has guided the Rams to consecutive NAIA National Tournament appearances while maintaining continuity with a program he knows firsthand.
His third season presents another opportunity to build on that foundation. With returning contributors joining an influx of transfers and newcomers, Wanamaker will focus on developing chemistry, defining roles and preparing the Rams for the physical and competitive demands of SAC basketball.
 

THE ROAD AHEAD

The Sooner Athletic Conference once again will present Texas Wesleyan with a demanding schedule in which consistency will be essential to postseason positioning. The Rams will need to establish their identity early, develop dependable production throughout the lineup and continue to perform on the defensive end as conference play approaches.
The combination of two consecutive national tournament appearances, a returning core and a revamped roster gives Texas Wesleyan a foundation to build upon entering 2026-27. The team's progress will depend on how quickly the newcomers adjust, how effectively the rotation comes together and whether the Rams can translate their size and depth into consistent results.
For Wanamaker and the Rams, the objective is to remain competitive in the SAC, contend for a conference title and earn another opportunity to advance through the NAIA postseason.
 

SEASON OPENER

Texas Wesleyan opens the 2026-27 season Thursday at 6:30 p.m. against the College of Biblical Studies of Houston at the Sid Richardson Center in Fort Worth.
The opener marks the beginning of Wanamaker's third season at the helm and provides the Rams with their first opportunity to put their offseason preparation into action. Texas Wesleyan will look to establish its defensive intensity, control the boards and execute efficiently on offense while continuing to develop chemistry across its revamped roster.
The College of Biblical Studies, based in Houston, provides the opening test as the Rams begin their nonconference schedule. Texas Wesleyan will aim to use the match-up to establish an early rhythm and build momentum ahead of a season in which the program hopes to extend its recent postseason success.