Participating Teams — Showdown in St. Pete

Head coach Tony Skinn has guided George Mason to 70 victories and three consecutive top-100 NET finishes during his first three seasons leading his alma mater. Northern Illinois transfer Makhai Valentine provides proven scoring and perimeter shooting, while veteran guard Brayden O’Connor returns after missing nearly all of last season with an injury. The Patriots’ most recognizable newcomer may be 7-foot center James Nnaji, a former EuroLeague player and the 31st selection in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Head coach Charlie Ward enters his second season at Florida A&M with one of the most intriguing collections of newcomers in the SWAC. Four-star point guard Jayden “JJ” Joseph and 6-foot-7 wing Camden Cooper—described as the highest-rated recruit in program history—give the Rattlers two dynamic young perimeter talents. FAMU has also added 6-foot-9 forward Benjamin Ndour, whose professional experience in Italy brings immediate size, versatility and maturity to the frontcourt.

A new era begins in Kansas City as accomplished head coach Mark Turgeon takes over a rebuilt Roos roster. SoCon Sixth Man of the Year Jaylen Smith gives Kansas City an experienced playmaker, while Carl Daughtery Jr. arrives after averaging 10.0 points and shooting 42 percent from three-point range at UC Davis. Versatile 6-foot-6 forward Sebastian Hartmann is another name to watch after previously averaging 9.3 points and 4.2 rebounds as a starter at Eastern Washington.

Head coach Brian Wardle brings a talented collection of proven scorers and versatile newcomers to St. Petersburg. Players to watch include transfer guard Kyle Grill, who averaged 13.3 points and 5.5 rebounds at Fort Hays State, and 6-foot-8 wing Noah Williams, an NJCAA All-American who produced 15.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game at Barton Community College. Also keep an eye on Trevon Payton, a 6-foot-6 sharpshooter who connected on an impressive 47.1 percent of his three-point attempts last season.

Head coach Larry Stewart brings back an experienced Coppin State group to the Showdown, headlined by several players with high-major backgrounds. Former four-star prospect Tafara Gapare is a versatile 6-foot-9 forward who has competed at UMass, Georgia Tech, Maryland and Villanova, while senior guard Jamari Piercy returns to St. Pete after averaging 6.8 points and shooting nearly 46 percent from the floor last season. Baltimore native Cam Sparrow is another player to watch after earning MEAC Defensive Player of the Week recognition and contributing across the box score for the Eagles.