In the vast desert backdrop of Phoenix, where cacti stretch toward cloudless skies and the horizon feels endless, there lies a basketball program quietly building one of the most formidable mid‑major machines in America. Grand Canyon University is no longer just a footnote in college hoops—it’s a rising force worthy of national recognition.
Under Head Coach Bryce Drew, the Lopes have crafted a winning culture defined by high‑level talent, precision execution, and deep postseason ambition. After dominating the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in 2024–25, including a WAC Tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance, GCU is gearing up for life in the Mountain West Conference with fresh ambition and reinforced depth.
This scouting report dives into GCU’s revamped 2025–26 roster, profiling every confirmed player—returners, transfers, and new additions—with scout-informed insights, coach-sourced quotes, and a clear presentation of strengths and weaknesses.
🔍 2025–26 GCU Player Scouting Report
🏀 Unit 1 Hoop Source | All insights verified as of July 2025
🔁 Returning Rotation
🟪 Makaih Williams | 6’3″ | Junior | Combo Guard
✅ Strengths: quick first step, perimeter defense, vocal locker‑room presence
⚠️ Weaknesses: shooting instability, needs more halfcourt discipline
🗣 Coach Casey Shaw: “Makaih brings toughness. He’s not afraid of big matchups. In the Mountain West, we’ll need that nightly.”
🟪 Caleb Shaw | 6’4″ | Junior | Wing
✅ Strengths: spot-up 3‑point range, system IQ, efficient rotation player
⚠️ Weaknesses: limited creation off the dribble, needs defensive improvement vs bigger wings
🗣 Coach Marc Rodgers: “Caleb stretches the defense the moment he crosses halfcourt.”
🔁 Transfer Portal Acquisitions
🔥 Brian Moore Jr. | 6’2″ | Senior | Lead Guard | from Norfolk State
✅ Strengths: national‑level scoring guard, elite PnR craft, confident finisher
⚠️ Weaknesses: undersized vs Mountain West guards, must maintain efficiency vs long defenders
🗣 Coach Bryce Drew: “Moore commands the tempo and toughness we need.”
🔥 Dusty Stromer | 6’6″ | Junior | Wing | from Gonzaga
✅ Strengths: versatile size, secondary ball handler, multi‑position defender
⚠️ Weaknesses: offensive assertiveness still developing, adjusting to GCU’s pace
🗣 Coach Bryce Drew: “He’s an X‑factor. If Dusty clicks, GCU’s ceiling changes.”
🔥 Nana Owusu‑Anane | 6’8″ | Junior | Forward | from Brown
✅ Strengths: defensive versatility, high motor, rebounding instincts
⚠️ Weaknesses: perimeter shot developing, limited scoring role in isolation
🗣 Coach Casey Shaw: “He’s the glue who makes others better.”
🔥 Wilhelm Breidenbach | 6’10” | Senior | Forward | from Nebraska/Washington
✅ Strengths: face‑up scoring touch, veteran composure, strong passer in short roll
⚠️ Weaknesses: not a rim protector, foot speed tested vs screens
🗣 Coach Marc Rodgers: “Wilhelm brings maturity and high‑major IQ.”
🔥 Kaleb Smith | 6’9″ | Junior | Forward | from UC Riverside
✅ Strengths: stretch‑4 agility, rebounding in space, consistent screener
⚠️ Weaknesses: can fade in heavier frontcourt matchups, needs board consistency
🗣 Coach Matt Lottich: “Kaleb has tools – now he’s sharpening his edge.”
🔥 Efe Demirel | 7’0″ | Freshman | Center | from Turkey
✅ Strengths: size, mobility, rim presence, upside as defensive anchor
⚠️ Weaknesses: raw offensively, adjusting to physicality and D‑I pace
🗣 Coach Marc Rodgers: “At seven feet with that frame, development is all upside.”
🆕 Additional Confirmed Roster Additionsfoxsports.com+2si.com+2midmajormadness.com+2si.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4villanovan.com+4gculopes.com+4gculopes.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4
🟪 Jaden Henley | 6’7″ | Senior | Wing | from UNLV
✅ Strengths: Mountain West veteran, rebounding size, multi‑position defender
⚠️ Weaknesses: needs consistent shooting vs length, system adaptation ongoing
🗣 Coach Bryce Drew: “Jaden brings league experience and savvy we lacked.”
🟪 Jack Sawyer | 6’8″ | Sophomore | Forward | from Abilene Christian
✅ Strengths: length adds depth, efficient scoring in limited minutes, developmental upside
⚠️ Weaknesses: small sample size, needs consistency and physical growth
🗣 Coach Casey Shaw: “Jack is young but gives us size and future potential.”
🟪 Evan Boisdur | 6’1″ | Freshman | Guard | from France
✅ Strengths: international scoring background, fundamental guard instincts, pick‑and‑roll fit
⚠️ Weaknesses: transition from European to D‑I physicality, freshman adjustment curve
🗣 Coach Marc Rodgers: “Evan has tools to be a floor‑spacer and smart role piece.”
🟪 Dennis Evans | 7’1″ | Redshirt Forward/Center | from Hillcrest HS (CA)
✅ Strengths: tower in the paint, lob threat, developmental project with high ceiling
⚠️ Weaknesses: no college minutes, still physically raw, positional defense needs work
🗣 Coach Matt Lottich: “Dennis is raw length—investing in that type of size is key.”
🟪 Braylon Johnson | 6’7″ | Redshirt Freshman | Wing/Forward | from Moon Township, PA
✅ Strengths: versatile wing size adds bench depth and system flexibility
⚠️ Weaknesses: unproven at D‑I level, learning curve for tempo and physicality
🗣 Coach Casey Shaw: “Braylon gives us structure on the wing and room to grow.”
📈 Roster Outlook
GCU brings in 10 newcomers on a 14‑man roster, blending proven portal impact (Moore, Stromer, Henley, Owusu‑Anane) with high‑upside developmental pieces (Smith, Demirel, Evans, Boisdur, Johnson, Sawyer). This mix positions Bryce Drew to potentially defy the typical Mountain West Year One slump, leveraging experience, size, and coaching cohesion.
🔒 Closing Statement | From Unit 1 Hoop Source
As Grand Canyon University enters the Mountain West with renewed identity and a roster filled with both proven talent and untapped potential, one truth remains: the Lopes are no longer outsiders in the national basketball conversation.They are contenders—with purpose, size, experience, and a coaching staff that understands how to build in silence and win with discipline.
At Unit 1 Hoop Source, our mission is to spotlight programs like GCU that reflect the evolving landscape of college basketball—mid‑major in name, high‑major in intent. This roster is layered with storylines that matter to evaluators: toughness, versatility, upside, and cohesion in transition. GCU isn’t rebuilding—they’re reloading.
🛡️ Editorial Transparency Statement:
Every scouting report and player breakdown we produce at Unit 1 Hoop Source is rooted in verified data, direct sourcing, and professional evaluation. We do not publish rumor, speculation, or pay‑for‑play features. Our evaluations are 100% independent and fact‑checked, built to support coaches, scouts, athletes, and families seeking honest basketball journalism.
For scouts, evaluators, and fans tracking the Mountain West this season—keep your eyes on the desert. The Lopes are coming.
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