ROCKLIN, Calif. - Coming into his first season with the Warriors, head coach Mark Darnall has announced a packed recruiting class that aims to keep the winning tradition of Jessup Basketball alive. With ten new names stepping onto Horton Court, the Warriors will look to crack the NAIA Coaches' Poll for the ninth year in a row.
 
Darnall offered his first comments on the roster he takes over, noting, "I couldn't be more excited about the additions to our program for the 2023-24 season. Our staff worked tirelessly to get these young men on board. As we finish our final season in NAIA and transition into NCAA Division II, it is paramount to get individuals who share our vision, who are of high character, possess strong work ethics, and fit the mission of our program and university."
 
In addition to Darnall, the Warriors' bench returns assistant coaches Travis Timmons and Michael Gervasoni. John Balwigaire stays in the GSAC, but will be a new face in Rocklin as he comes to the Warriors after a stop at Menlo College. Brendan Erickson also joins the bench, making the jump from the high school ranks.
 
The Warriors, who were led the past ten seasons by Lance Von Vogt, are coming off a 16-13 season that wrapped up in the quarterfinals of the GSAC Tournament. Now, under the leadership of Darnall, the Warriors will be looking to make an impact in what will be Jessup's final season in the NAIA.
 
Darnall commented that the excitement is high with the group of Warriors he will lead in his first year in Rocklin. "In addition to a great returning core, we added an important mix of youth and experience. I am fired up to coach this group in my inaugural season at Jessup."
 
Now, it's time to meet the new faces who will lace them up this year for the Warriors.
 
AYDAN JANSSAN | HIGHBURY, AUSTRALIA | BELLEVUE COLLEGE
 
A 6-5 guard/forward, Aydan Janssan comes to the Warriors out of Australia. Janssan began his college career with Bellevue College in Washington under the tutelage of Donald Brady, where he averaged 12.6 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and shot 54.6 percent from the floor. Janssan helped lead his squad to the 2023 NWAC Championship and was voted Most Inspirational at the NWAC Tournament.
 
From coach Darnall: "Simply put, Aydan is a winner. Aydan is a very selfless and versatile player. He has a great feel and knows how to play both with and without the ball in his hands. He is an aggressive rebounder and makes everyone around him better. Aydan is a big addition to our program. As much as he helps us on the floor, he is going to be a great influence in our locker room and the Jessup community."
 
EMMETT HOLT | POCATELLO, IDAHO | SPOKANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
 
Another addition with college basketball experience in the NWAC, Emmett Holt, joins the Warriors out of Spokane Community College where he played for Jeremy Groth. The Idaho native averaged 16.9 PPG and 3.6 RPG while in Spokane. He earned First-Team NWAC All-East Region honors and was a NABC Two-Year College All-American.
 
From coach Darnall: "Emmett is an elite shooter, shooting over 44 percent from the 3-point line this past season. He can shoot off the catch and on the move. He has a really good midrange game and will play really well off the creation of our quick, playmaking guards. Emmett is an amazing person and will be a huge asset for our team culture as we begin this new era."
 
JA'MARIS BLACKMON | SAMMAMISH, WASH. | SEATTLE PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
 
Ja'Maris Blackmon comes to the Warriors after helping lead the Falcons of Seattle Pacific to a 17-11 record. Blackmon, a 6-1 guard, averaged 8.0 PPG and 3.3 RPG during his time in Seattle. The Washington native brings with him a 45 percent average from the field, along with a 36.5 percent average from three.
 
From coach Darnall: "We are fired up for Ja'Maris to be joining our Jessup family. Ja'Maris brings a wealth of experience and toughness to our program. He started every game for a well- respected NCAA Division II program. He is known for guarding the other team's best player and can score in multiple ways on the offensive end. He has learned from some really good coaches in Brent Merritt of powerhouse Eastside Catholic High School and former Seattle Pacific head coach Grant Leep."
 
TAMATOA HUMBERT | TAHITI | SIERRA COLLEGE
 
Tahiti native Tamatoa Humbert comes to the Warriors after beginning his college career down the street at Sierra College. The 6-3 guard averaged 17.2 PPG with the Wolverines, adding 4.4 RPG to the stat sheet while posting a 45.5-percent showing from the floor.
 
From coach Darnall: "Tam joins us from just down the road at Sierra College. He has been around our program for a while and embodies what we want from a Warrior. He is hard-nosed and tough and produced tremendously for head coach John Fusano. Tam has great energy and is an everyday guy that is going to continue to propel our program forward."
 
ANTHONY ENOH | UYO, AKWA IBOM, NIGERIA
 
Another international addition to the Warriors, Anthony Enoh, comes to Jessup out of Nigeria. The 6-7 forward joins the Warriors after averaging a double-double of 25 PPG and 14 RPG. His 52.7 percent showing from the floor was paired with a 60 percent shooting performance from beyond the arc.
 
From coach Darnall: "Anthony comes to us from overseas. He has elite athleticism and versatile size. He can create big-time momentum with his ability to play above the rim. He has a developing inside-out skillset, can rebound out of his area, and defend multiple positions. People are going to enjoy getting to know Anthony off the floor, as he knows four different languages."
 
MALIK PATTON | DENVER, COLO. | WEST VALLEY COLLEGE
 
A 6-9 forward out of Denver, Malik Patton looks to add size to the Warriors. Patton comes to Jessup after playing for West Valley College. During that time, his squad went 54-9, and he personally posted 8.5 PPG and 7.2 RPG.
 
From coach Darnall: "Malik is another big physical presence that adds much-needed depth to our front court. He has contributed to a winning program and has learned from a well-respected coach in Danny Yoshikawa. He has experience with our style of play on both sides of the ball. He gives us a defensive presence at the basket and will help our scoring inside in different ways. We are looking forward to helping him continue to grow on and off the floor."
 
CAYDEN McDANIEL | TACOMA, WASH. | SILAS HS
 
Darnall brings down another name from the Washington area as Cayden McDaniel joins the Warriors out of Tacoma. McDaniel was named League MVP and earned First-Team All-State honors in his sophomore year. During his senior season, he averaged 26 PPG to pair with 7 RPG and 5 APG.
 
From coach Darnall: "I've known Cayden for a while now. He has gone through a lot coming back from a tough injury. He has a lot of mental fortitude and is as strong as ever. He is a big physical guard that can create for himself and others. He is a problem for opponents driving to the basket and has the ability to be a really good defender. His best basketball is ahead of him and I can't wait to get to work with him."
 
SKYLER SCHMIDT | PORTLAND, ORE. | CENTRAL CATHOLIC HS
 
Skyler Schmidt comes to Jessup out of Portland and Central Catholic HS. During his junior season, Schmidt earned First-Team All-Conference honors. A 6-8 forward, Schmidt averaged 19 PPG as a junior, paired with 10 RPG.
 
From coach Darnall: "Skyler is a unique prospect with a huge ceiling. He is a very versatile offensive player with his size and skills. He is able to take bigger defenders out on the perimeter and smaller defenders inside. He is a really good shooter and can put the ball on the deck as well. He is motivated, a worker, and loves to be in the gym. Fired up to welcome him to Jessup."
 
JAKE KING | CONCORD, CALIF. | CLAYTON CHARTER HS
 
Concord's Jake King moves to Rocklin to start his collegiate career with the Warriors. King, a 6-5 wing, was an NCS Division I Champion while competing for Clayton Charter HS. During his high school career, King averaged 17.0 PPG and 4.0 RPG while shooting 45 percent from the floor.
 
From coach Darnall: "Jake is one the most selfless individuals I've been around. He has leadership skills that you don't see too often from a player straight out of high school. He brings a special level of intensity and toughness that raises his team's level of play and is one of the most vocal players we have ever seen in high school. Jake can really shoot the basketball, and he exemplifies what it means to be a Warrior with his attitude and team-first mentality."
 
WYATT STUDER | EASTVALE, CALIF. | ELEANOR ROOSEVELT HS
 
Wyatt Studer joins the Warriors this season out of Eastvale. During his time with Eleanor Roosevelt HS, Studer was named First-Team All-Big VIII, along with Defensive Player of the Year honors. The 6-7 forward averaged 15.4 PPG to pair with 8.2 RPG and 4.1 BPG.
 
From coach Darnall: "Wyatt has the ability to play multiple positions because of his versatility, athleticism, length, and skill set. He has the potential to become an elite defender and has a great feel for the game on the offensive end. Wyatt is eager to learn and craves coaching. He comes from an athletic family and a hard-nosed high school coach in Coach Stephen Singleton at Eleanor Roosevelt High School. Wyatt's unique personality will be loved here on the campus."
 
The 2023-24 Warriors feature a large class of newcomers, but there will also be a large number of returners from last season to mix in. Jessup is scheduled to make their debut on October 28 when SAGU American Indian College comes to town.
 
Tickets for all 2023-24 home games will be on sale soon.
   
William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).