LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Men's Basketball is back for the 2024-25 season, and after a tough end to last season, looks to leap into the SCIAC tournament. Here's everything you need to know about the squad heading into this season.
 

The Tigers: Returners

 
Despite losing their top-three scorers from the 2023-24 season, the Tigers return the next four and pick up some additional depth.
 
Nicky Clotfelter, one of four Tigers to average double-digit points, returns for his junior campaign. In his sophomore season, the guard led the team in rebounding at 6.8 a game and was fourth in scoring at 11.1.
 
Henry Wilson and Micah Breaux are two of the Tigers best options from beyond the three-point line. The two shot over 30% from long range in 2023-24. Breaux, as a first year, averaged nearly eight points per game and shot 46% from the field.
 
Wilson is the second-highest returning scorer. He tallied just south of 10 points per game as a sophomore, and looks to return to the starting five after starting all 15 games he played in.
 

Fresh Faces

 
The Tigers welcome seven first years to the 2024-25 squad. They also bring on a pair of transfers.
 
Mateo Tangaan and Ethan Hanning are junior transfers and bring experience to the young bunch. Tangaan played two seasons at Merced College in the CCCAA, and Hanning joins the Tigers from now Division II Vanguard University.
 
Nasir Luna, Atticus Boba and Alex McCleery Brown are three first years to watch as the season progresses. All look to battle for minutes at the guard and wing positions.
 

Battle in the Post

 
Four Tigers are fighting for rotational minutes in the post. Seniors Bernard Cassidy and Jacob Hamermesh are the two most experienced post players on the Tigers' roster. Sophomore Sloan Ireland and first year Zion Staples should also see time early in the season down in the rim.
 

Thoughts from Coach Newhall

 
Head Coach Brian Newhall returns for season number 35 at the helm of the program. He notes the depth of the squad and new faces should play a positive role as the season ages.
 
"Our nine newcomers blended with the 11 returners creates healthy competition within our roster," Newhall said. "We've seen great intensity at our practices and some great depth has emerged. Multiple players will contribute."
 
He also notes the team mantra as: "Play hard, play smart, play together."