Assessing Utah Basketball’s 2025-26 Roster

Jun 12, 2025, 11:14 AM | Updated: 11:33 am

Utah basketball's Keanu Dawes headlines the 2025-26 roster....

Feb 8, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Utah Utes forward Keanu Dawes (8) dunks the ball during the second half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

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BY STEVE BARTLE

Utah Insider

SALT LAKE CITY—Alex Jensen and his Utah men’s basketball program have been working hard to put together a squad.

Though there is still some work that could be done, Utah has announced the 2025-26 roster.

We present to you, the Runnin' Utes‼️

READ MORE ➡️ https://t.co/ZT4Ft6qOFp #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/bCLQIEQWvW

— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) June 10, 2025

Utah basketball’s 2025-26 roster

Point Guard

Utah has brought in three players who will provide minutes at point guard. This will be an intriguing position to sort out, given the fact that all three have a case to start, but particularly Brown and McHenry. Regardless of who wins the starting job, the others will fulfill a very important role off the bench.

Terrence Brown – G, 6’3″, Junior, Fairleigh Dickinson

Brown was the first portal commitment of the Jensen era. He averaged 20.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game last season. Of all additions, Brown owned the highest assist rate and seems like the logical option to start at point guard. A point of emphasis for Utah’s roster construction was landing guards capable of breaking down defenders off the dribble and generating paint touches, which creates action and opportunities. Brown seems very capable in that regard and should be one of the primary offensive options for Utah.

Don McHenry – G, 6’2″, Senior, Western Kentucky

McHenry very well could start for the Utes next season, especially given the veteran leadership he brings to the table. He averaged 17.0 points per game last season, and while his first season at WKU was a bit more efficient, McHenry has proven to be a rather capable scorer. He can catch and shoot, he can create off the dribble and score in the paint or the perimeter, all of which will be quite valuable on this roster.

Elmeri Abbey – G, 6′, Freshman, Finland

Abbey committed to Utah in early June, and though he was not listed on the official release, he will join the program later this summer after fulfilling mandatory Finnish military service. As a productive member of Finland’s national teams, Abbey has the makeup that Utah is looking for in the backcourt. Abbey will provide solid depth in the backcourt and at point guard specifically.

Shooting Guard

Utah has brought in a couple of guys that fit quite nicely as off-ball guards. Both Patrick and Moore have potential as shooters, but there’s a bit of a question mark around them. Jensen needs both of these players to realize their shooting potential to provide floor spacing and scoring.

Jacob Patrick – G, 6’6″, Freshman, Germany

The addition of Patrick is a valuable one for Utah. While he’ll be a freshman, Patrick will also be a veteran at 21 years old this season. Patrick has played professionally for MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg for the past five seasons, going back to 2020-21. Patrick will primarily provide shooting, which is an area Utah desperately needed to address. How big of an impact to expect is hard to gauge. However, playing against many former college basketball stars should have him more prepared for the competition in the Big 12 than not.

Elijah Moore – G, 6’4″, Sophomore, Syracuse

Moore will be in contention for a starting job; regardless, he is a key cog in the Runnin’ Utes future outlook. He averaged 5.2 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game in his first year of college ball. Moore has a promising projection as a shooter, and progress is expected in that regard. If Moore can improve his shooting efficiency, that’ll go a long way towards improved production and may ultimately determine whether he starts or comes off the bench. Moore is an exciting talent that has scoring upside Utah needs on the perimeter.

“Jensen also enlisted help from those around him in Dallas. Mavericks assistant coach God Shammgod, a New York City native, helped Jensen sign two players from the Bronx in Syracuse transfer Elijah Moore and Iowa’s Seydou Traore.”

Wing

On the wing, Utah has brought in a couple of really intriguing players. Wes Wilcox revealed that Howard was a player who had the endorsement of NBA scouts and personnel. Similarly, Traore came to Utah with the help of an NBA coach. Utah has drastically improved the athleticism and potential at this spot.

Jahki Howard – F, 6’7″, Sophomore, Auburn

Though his time and production were limited at Auburn, Howard emerged as a top target for Jensen and Wilcox. With encouragement from NBA scouts and personnel, Utah’s braintrust made a concerted effort to land him. There is a lot of optimism regarding his ceiling as a player and potential improvement next season. Howard is one of the most explosive athletes in college basketball, and he has promise as a shooter. His development will be a factor in Utah’s overall potential next season.

“The more information I got from my NBA friends on Jahki, the more excited I became. And the more focused we became on trying to get him committed.” – Wes Wilcox shared with Front Office Sports

Seydou Traore – F, 6’6″, Junior, Iowa

Traore will be in contention for a starting role, and at 222 pounds, he’ll be capable of playing either forward spot. He averaged 5.9 points and 3.0 rebounds per game at Iowa this past season. The year before that at Manhattan, he averaged 11.8 points and 8.2 rebounds in twice as many minutes. Traore adds significant athleticism and versatility on both ends of the floor. He’s looked quite comfortable with the ball in his hands and could serve as a secondary playmaker on the offensive end.

Alvin Jackson III – G, 6’5″, Sophomore, Salt Lake Community College

Though not listed on the roster release, Jackson is still expected to join the program later this summer. Jackson’s size and athleticism provide defensive versatility on the wing.

Forward

Perhaps the strongest spot on the roster, the Runnin’ Utes have two really productive forwards. Both Dawes and Faye are remarkably productive around the rim and find ways to produce without much usage. These two also provide versatility on both ends of the floor.

Keanu Dawes F, 6’9″, Junior, Utah

Dawes will headline Utah’s roster in 2025-26, after averaging 8.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 61% shooting from the field last season. He should be one of Utah’s top producers next season. He was the most important piece to bring back from last season’s roster. He was also the first athlete to sign a revenue-sharing agreement with Utah. Dawes seems poised for an increase in minutes and role, but his ability to impact games without action designated for him is his greatest asset. Dawes will be a double-double threat and will continue to be a very productive presence for the Utes next season.

Babacar Faye – F, 6’9″, Senior, Western Kentucky

At 6’9” and 230 pounds, Faye was a big addition for the Utes. He will certainly be in contention for a starting role, but will at the very least be a key cog in Utah’s frontcourt rotation. He averaged 15.2 points and 7.8 rebounds in 10 games before an injury shortened his season. Faye is a big effort player and hustles to secure rebounds and loose balls. He has shown the ability to score inside and out, and if he can maintain his 30%-plus shooting from 3-point range, that adds an interesting dynamic to the frontcourt.

Kendyl Sanders – F, 6’8″, Freshman, IMG Academy

Sanders was a nice find late in the ’25 cycle. He’s a 6’8”, 213-pound forward capable of playing on the perimeter and inside. He will need time to acclimate at the collegiate level, but Sanders is a nice developmental piece to the roster.

Center

If there was one position the roster could use an addition, the center spot would be it. Utah will rely on Okonkwo to be the primary big man, and he should be capable on both ends of the floor. Utah also needs redshirt freshman I. Traore to emerge as a contributor to solidify the depth here.

James Okonkwo – F, 6’8″, Senior, Akron

Okonkwo is an athletic, big man with a 7’2″wingspan, and the 235-pounder will serve as the primary center. He will be tasked with operating around the rim offensively and defensively. He averaged 6.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game last season, demonstrating efficiency and defensive capability. The playing experience he gained at Akron could be just what he needed in his return to the Power Conference level.

Ibi Traore – F, 6’9″, Freshman, Utah

Traore’s freshman season was cut short due to injury, so his return to full strength will be key. Traore has promise as a rim runner and rim protector thanks to his combination of athleticism and size. If Traore can provide even just a few consistent minutes of high-intensity effort next season, that will help Utah’s depth in the frontcourt.

Alex Jensen, Wes Wilcox are excited for Utah basketball

“We’re excited to officially announce the men’s basketball roster,” Alex Jensen said in a statement issued by Utah Athletics. “Our staff has taken great care in constructing a roster that’ll compete on the court and make a positive impact on our community while also being great stewards of our University. We’re thrilled to get to work and can’t wait for the season to begin.”

Utah currently has a projected 13 roster spots accounted for, which leaves two spots that could be filled if they choose to do so. The staff has been actively evaluating and communicating with uncommitted 2025 high school prospects.

“We have constructed a roster that is aligned with the clear vision we have for the program,” Runnin’ Utes General Manager Wes Wilcox said. “We will compete, we will work hard, and we will not quit. This group represents those characteristics, and we couldn’t be more excited to introduce them to our community.”

Jensen’s vision centered around an athletic, defensive-minded team. The additions Utah has made have all provided upgrades in athleticism and versatility, particularly on the defensive end. As the team begins their practices together, they’ll begin to establish their core principles and identity.