Excitement abounds as the UMass Lowell men’s basketball team is gearing up for a new season. The River Hawks will open the new campaign against Rivier University at the Kennedy Family Athletic Complex, formerly Costello Athletic Center, on Monday at 7 p.m.
This season brings a new level of anticipation, as UML will feature an entirely new look, with 12 of the 13 players having never suited up for the program. Despite the challenge of the unknown, head coach Pat Duquette is looking forward to seeing what his roster, which features eight transfers, two true freshmen and three redshirts can do.
“It’s unlike any other team I’ve ever had. I’ve never been through this experience where you get 10 new guys and we only return a few minutes from a previous team. It’s been fun, though, it’s a great group of guys. I’m really enjoying working with them and being around them, but it’s just been a different experience for me and my coaching staff to really have so many new guys and have to teach this way and start from scratch,” Duquette said.
Last season, the River Hawks finished 17-15 under Duquette’s tutelage, marking their third consecutive winning season. Despite the new roster for 2025-26, UMass Lowell was still selected fourth in the America East Preseason Coaches’ Poll, signifying the respect for Duquette’s recruiting abilities.
The 2025-26 roster features 10 newcomers, which marks the largest class to join the team in its Division I history.
Bringing a mix of experience and youth to the lineup, the incoming group features two true freshmen, Victor Okojie (Castlebar, Ireland) and JJ Massaquoi (Prince George’s County, Md.), alongside senior Austin Green (Sicklerville, N.J.), juniors Darrel Yepdo (Dracut), Angel Montas Jr. (La Romana, D.R.), Xavier Spencer (Calgary, Alberta, Canada), Shawn Simmons II (Philadelphia, Pa.), Jared Frey (Columbus, Ohio), Jerrell Roberson II (Upper Marlboro, Md.), and Khalil Farmer (Philadelphia).
Women
In his first season at the helm, head coach Jon Plefka leads the UMass Lowell women’s basketball program into the 2025–26 campaign focused on communication and steady growth. With a roster split evenly between returners and newcomers, the River Hawks look to establish a foundation that reflects those principles from day one.
UML will open Monday by hosting Saint Anselm at 4 p.m.
“Our standard is the standard. We’re focused on doing everything to the best of our ability and letting that process define who we become,” Plefka said.
Seven River Hawks return to the lineup this season, bringing familiarity and leadership to a roster otherwise full of fresh faces.
Junior Maddie Rice (Charlottesville, Va.) appeared in 26 games last year, averaging 6.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Senior Amina Kameric (Seattle, Wash.) started 16 contests, while sophomores Nia Chima (Toronto, Ontario), Jennah Johnson (Woodbridge, N.J.), Emina Kameric (Seattle, Wash.), Carla Subirats (Barcelona, Spain), and senior Sophie Baydanov (Vienna, Austria) also return after contributing during the 2024–25 campaign.
Together, the returning group provides experience across multiple positions as the team transitions into its new era.
Staff Report
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