MEDFORD, MA (November 12, 2025) -- When the Tufts University men's basketball team gets its season going this Friday evening at Babson College on the road it'll be a game that the Jumbos have been waiting for since March. The D3hoops.com Preseason No. 4 team in the nation returns all five starters off a team that was one of the best squads in the nation last season, but a heartbreaking end to the season in 2024-25 has fueled this group to be even better in 2025-26.
After a stunning overtime loss to the University of Redlands at home in the NCAA Second Round last season, head coach
Brandon Linton talked about how that has been motivation but also it could be part of the plan.
"I think, last year is bittersweet in a lot of ways," said Linton. "You know, a lot of really good things happened. Being able to host and consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, 20 wins. But all that made the final result feel that much more disappointing. And just naturally, I think guys, especially with a bulk of that team back, I think there's just a natural kind of willingness to erase that. One thing that we talked about as a team is not shying away from the fact that it happened and just making it part of our story. We have a chance to make it the beginning of a great ending. So I think naturally it's been good. Actively we've been trying to use it as something that's going to propel us into hopefully what should be a great year."
The expectations will be high with this group due to the high preseason rank and prior season success, but also due to the fact that the squad just has an inherit competitiveness that can't be taught. That has fueled this group to continue to progress in all aspects. "I think first and foremost, just competitiveness," said Linton. "I think with all the returning pieces that are here and an influx of a talented freshman class, the competitiveness level has been extremely high. So that's been fun to see. And on top of that, with such a strong veteran senior class and three captains who have played a ton of minutes and been in some battles, I think it's all kind of led to us having a great fall. Then trickling into practices starting, guys are holding each other accountable at a high level. So definitely those two things have stood out."
When you look at the returning pieces, it's easy to get excited as the Jumbos sport two D3hoops.com Preseason All-Americans in seniors
Scott Gyimesi and
James Morakis. The duo along with fellow senior
Joshua Bernstein and juniors
Jon Medley and
Dylan Reilly formed a starting five that played nearly every game together last season. Gyimesi led the team in rebounding and total field goals made, while Morakis averaged 17.9 points per game to pace the Jumbos. Those two along with the inside presence of of Bernstein, the shooting of Reilly and the leadership and defensive attitude of Medley fit well together.
So while the goals are lofty, Linton was quick to mention that the process proceeds the final destinations many times. "We start with the end goal in mind of a NESCAC title, NCAA title, but all the work is in the process and trying to enjoy the journey, what things go into enjoying the journey, what daily things go into enjoying that, and those are the things that we focus on," said Linton. "So, it ends up being more of a short-term kind goal orientation process, but with the big picture in mind at the center of it."
It's a group that Linton and his staff has enjoyed being around, and he has just been chomping at the bit to get back on the floor to get the season going. It's a group of 17 guys that all have a common goal, care about each other and that's something that the Jumbo head coach is proud of. It's evident in his coaching and how much respect and expectation he has for this team.
"I think it's just an accumulation of year after year. It's kind of, it's the same thing that I've loved about each group I've had so far at Tufts," said Linton. "They're all talented kids. Awesome individuals, awesome kids to be around. And again, just stacking year after year, being in year five of developing these relationships and making these deposits into like these guys' lives and vice versa. Each year it gets better and better and better. Regardless if it was guys that I brought in or inherited, but having a group of guys that, I've sat on the couch in our office and we've sold the recruiting story to see it all coming to fruition in real time. That's all fun. Being able to have these guys around my kids and family and them come around the gym and be excited to see them. But it's just an accumulation of year after year of pouring into people and vice versa. That's fun. Yeah. Just trying to enjoy it and not take that for granted because it's not like that everywhere."
The journey starts Friday evening at Babson, as the Jumbos chase their second all-time New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) title this year.
Below is a look at the roster, position-by-position.
GUARDS
The guard position is one that is stocked full of talent for the Jumbos, due to the different types of players that Linton can go to. Tufts returns nine guards while adding a pair of first-year players. The Jumbos starting back court of
Jon Medley and
James Morakis was one of the best in the NESCAC last season, as Morakis was third in the NESCAC in scoring with nearly 18 points per game, as he's the top returning scorer in the conference this season. A wizard with the ball in his hands, the guard shot nearly 50 percent from the floor while making 84 percent at the line on 110 attempts.
Medley was the Jumbos' fifth-leading scorer as a sophomore, but he would consistently do all of the little things to win games. A winner at heart, Medley led the Jumbos with assists and was tops in the NESCAC in assist to turnover ratio at 3.2. He is also one of the premier perimeter defenders in the conference, while posting 7.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and almost four assists per game.
Senior
Sidney Wooten missed the end of the season last year, but was having a strong junior season as a reserve point guard for the Jumbos. His consistent scoring from the mid-range and ball handling was an asset last season, and his on-ball defending also is a big strength. Look for Wooten to have another solid year for the Jumbos in his final season. Junior
Liam Kennelly played in all 28 games as a sophomore, starting twice, and had some big games while bringing a ton of energy to the team every time he was on the floor.
Sophomore guard
Lukas Schmid was sidelined early in his first-year season, but showed some solid stretches for the Jumbos during his first season. A physical guard that can score at a variety of levels, he also is another talented defender and will look to up his productivity after playing in 17 games as a newcomer. The Jumbos have a solid pair of newcomers that Linton likes in the back court, as first-years
Ricardo Nieves and
Griffin Linstra have both had solid camps.
Nieves is extremely athletic and is a gifted scorer and defender, while Linstra is a heady point guard that is always in good spots and comes up in clutch spots. Many may remember Linstra's famous shot in his prep days at Manasquan High School against Camden that got national recognition. Both Nieves and Linstra will look to battle for minutes in a crowded bac kcourt.
On the wing Tufts has some talent back as well led by junior
Dylan Reilly, who started 27 games while finishing third on the squad in scoring with 9.7 points per game while making a team-high 72 three-pointers. The smooth shooting lefty also improved his defending to where he was one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. Another name to be on the look out for for the Jumbos is junior
Zion Watt. Watt has had a great camp after coming on late as a sophomore as a strong shooter and defensive stopper. Watt could be a breakout candidate in the NESCAC this season.
Senior
Theo Liu is another option on the wing that brings a scoring threat at all three levels, while also understanding the offensive and defensive schemes well. Sophomore
Isaac Friedman has added some muscle in the off-season and will look to carve out a role as well this season as a player that can do a little bit of everything for the Jumbos. First-year
Deacon Baratta is another name to watch, as he could be the best pure shooter on the team with a lightning quick release as a 6-6 wing option.
FRONT COURT
The Jumbos did lose some important pieces in the front court from last year's season in
Trumann Gettings and
Bobby Stewart, each of whom brought unique skill sets that helped the Jumbos depth. Tufts does return two of the best forwards and centers in the conference, as
Scott Gyimesi and
Joshua Bernstein have played a ton of basketball together over their tenures.
Gyimesi was a All-NESCAC First Team performer for the Jumbos as a sophomore and junior, and returns as a threat to score, pass and rebound with the best players in the league. He also brings a premier competitiveness and focus that is rarely seen. He finished with averages of 15.3 points and 9.9 rebounds per game as a junior, adding 86 assists while shooting 58.6 percent. Bernstein was one of the best centers in the conference, tallying 9.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while blocking a team-high 60 shots during the season. Bernstein made 67 percent of his shots during his junior year, and looks even quicker and strong as a senior.
The biggest question thus far has been who will be in the front court rotation for the Jumbos, and sophomores
Robbie Nyamwaya and
Evan Reeves along with
Ian Randall all bring different skill sets to the table. Nyamwaya fits into the mold of a Gyimesi, as he's great around the rim, handles the ball well and is active on the glass. Reeves is one of the most athletic players in the league, with a vertical leap over 40 inches while his ability to run the floor, finish at the rim and alter shots can be big for the Jumbos. Randall is a true seven-footer but he is an uber-skilled big man that can shoot, pass and step out all the way to the perimeter.
All five players will be strong options for the Jumbos this season.
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Tufts will start the season with six games in 11 days, starting November 14 at Babson College.
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