A new era is underway for the University of Utah men’s basketball team, and it’s being built on transfers, opportunity and a fresh coaching philosophy.
Following a busy offseason that saw a near-total roster overhaul, newly appointed head coach Alex Jensen has wasted no time filling the gaps in his squad. With just two returning players from last season, Jensen and his staff have brought in six Division I transfers, two junior college standouts and a pair of freshmen to form the 2025-26 Runnin’ Utes roster.
As of May 7, the Utes have filled 11 of their now-15 available scholarship spots.
Among the most notable additions is guard Terrence Brown from Fairleigh Dickinson, who averaged 20.6 points and was named the Northeast Conference’s Most Improved Player last season.
Western Kentucky’s Don McHenry and Babacar Faye also add punch to the lineup, with McHenry bringing a 17-point average and Faye returning from an MCL injury after averaging 15.2 points and 7.8 rebounds in just 10 games for Western Kentucky.
The Utes also secured high-potential forwards Jahki Howard (Auburn) and James Okonkwo (Akron), along with Elijah Moore from Syracuse, who started 16 games as a true freshman. Iowa transfer Seydou Traore rounds out a class of experienced and versatile talent.
From the junior college and prep ranks, the Utes added Salt Lake Community College guard Alvin Jackson III — brother of former NBA player Frank Jackson — and IMG Academy forward Kendyl Sanders.
The lone player returning with significant game time is Keanu Dawes, a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 8.3 points and 6.4 rebounds last season. Ibi Traore, a redshirt freshman who missed last season with an injury.
For Jensen, a Utah alum and longtime NBA assistant with the Utah Jazz, this marks his first season as a college head coach.
While the roster may lack continuity, it’s filled with proven scorers, high-upside youth and players hungry for a larger role — an ideal mix for a coach starting a new chapter.
With a 16-17 overall record and an early exit from the Big 12 Tournament at the hands of 14th-seeded UCF, the Runnin’ Utes missed out on both the NCAA Tournament and the NIT. Their season ended in the first round of the College Basketball Crown with an 86-84 loss to Butler. After finishing 11th in the Big 12 at 8-12, Utah now turns the page with a revamped roster and a new direction under head coach Alex Jensen, aiming to restore the program’s competitive edge.
