2024-25 Summit Basketball Preview

Conference Overview

Join us for our 2024-25 Summit Basketball Preview, where we dive into a mid-major conference known for its offensive firepower. Since 2012, the Summit League Tournament has been dominated by just three teams—South Dakota State, North Dakota State, and Oral Roberts. Last season, top-seeded South Dakota State clinched the title after an impressive regular season. In a rare era of stability, the Summit League retained a strong core of players despite the transfer portal’s impact, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.

South Dakota State looks poised to lead again, boosted by Washington State transfer Oscar Cluff, a standout center who brings considerable experience from the Pac-12 and should quickly become one of the conference’s top players. The Jackrabbits will likely rely on a mix of efficient returners stepping into bigger roles, with the point guard position potentially filled by Wisconsin transfer Isaac Lindsey, who will need to adapt to a starting role.

Close behind, North Dakota State fields one of the most balanced starting fives, led by returning backcourt players Damari Wheeler-Thomas, Jacari White, and Tajavis Miller. White, an elite three-point shooter, is expected to have a breakout season. A key addition could be Jackson Moni, a Division II transfer who averaged over 20 points last season and is set to play a major role.

Kansas City could contend for the top spot as well, anchored by scorers Jamar Brown and Anderson Kopp, with Kopp’s health being critical to their success. The Roos’ point guard role may be filled by JUCO transfer Davontae Hall from powerhouse Indian Hills.

St. Thomas, now in its third Division I season, relies on a strong returning core, including Kendall Blue and Drake Dobbs, with Blue being one of the conference’s most efficient players. Keep an eye on 7-footer Carter Bjerke, who can stretch the floor with his three-point shooting.

Oral Roberts returns Player of the Year candidate Isaac McBride, a prolific scorer, and pairs him with JUCO transfer Darius Robinson, Jr. in the backcourt, forming a potent duo. Frontcourt contributions will be key, likely led by Rice transfer Sam Alajiki.

North Dakota will look to returnees Treysen Eaglestaff and Amar Kuljuhovic, one of the top big men in the league who could boost his scoring this year. South Dakota is led by backcourt duo Kaleb Stewart and Paul Bruns, both double-digit scorers, and may deploy a smaller lineup that includes Niagara transfer Dre Bullock, who shot 50% from three last season in 76 attempts.

Denver, having lost star scorer Tommy Bruner, will lean on JUCO transfer Nicholas Shogbonyo to take on a large scoring role. Omaha’s returning backcourt will need to elevate their scoring, with Marquel Sutton expected to provide offensive support.

The theme this season in our 2024-25 Summit Basketball Preview will be how well returners step up in bigger roles and how seamlessly the new transfers integrate into established rosters.

Summit Basketball Preview: Projected Standings

1. South Dakota State
2. North Dakota State
3. Kansas City
4. St. Thomas
5. Oral Roberts
6. North Dakota
7. South Dakota
8. Denver
9. Omaha

Summit Basketball Preview: Projected Award Winners

Player of the Year: Isaac McBride, Oral Roberts

Defensive Player of the Year: Oscar Cluff, South Dakota State

Newcomer of the Year: Oscar Cluff, South Dakota State

Freshman of the Year: Andrell Burton, South Dakota State

Coach of the Year: Eric Henderson, South Dakota State

Summit Basketball Preview: Projected All-Conference First Team

Isaac McBride, Oral Roberts

Kendall Blue, St. Thomas

Jacari White, North Dakota State

Jamar Brown, Kansas City

Oscar Cluff, South Dakota State

Denver Pioneers

Projected Starters:

PG: DeAndre Craig (6.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.5 apg)

SG: Nicholas Shogbonyo (21.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.8 apg @ JUCO McLennan)

SF: Isaiah Addo-Ankrah (6.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.5 apg)

PF: Pedro Lopez-Sanvicente (6.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.1 apg)

C: Isaiah Carr (5.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 0.2 apg)

6M: Jon Mani (FR)

Kansas City Roos

Projected Starters:

PG: Davontae Hall (11.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.9 apg @ JUCO Indian Hills)

SG: Jamar Brown (15.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.4 apg)

SF: Anderson Kopp (13.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.2 apg)

PF: Cameron Faas (9.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.9 apg)

C: Melvyn Ebonkoli (4.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 0.5 apg)

6M: Jayson Petty (6.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 0.3 apg)

North Dakota Fighting Hawks

Projected Starters:

PG: Reggie Thomas (24.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.5 apg @ NAIA Hastings)

SG: Eli King (7.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.1 apg)

SF: Treysen Eaglestaff (14.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.5 apg)

PF: Dariyus Woodson (14.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.6 apg @ JUCO Tyler)

C: Amar Kuljuhovic (8.7 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 0.8 apg)

6M: Mier Panoam (1.2 ppg, 0.2 rpg, 0.2 apg @ Tulane)

North Dakota State Bison

Projected Starters:

PG: Damari Wheeler-Thomas (10.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.5 apg)

SG: Jacari White (10.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.7 apg)

SF: Tajavis Miller (8.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.5 apg)

PF: Jacksen Moni (21.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 3.6 apg @ D2 Northern State)

C: Noah Feddersen (7.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 0.8 apg)

6M: Masen Miller (1.8 ppg, 0.4 rpg, 0.4 apg @ Indiana State)

Omaha Mavericks

Projected Starters:

PG: JJ White (8.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.9 apg)

SG: Tony Osburn (7.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 0.8 apg)

SF: Khamani Cooper (12.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.6 apg @ JUCO Connors State)

PF: Marquel Sutton (12.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 0.8 apg)

C: Isaac Ondekane (5.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 0.2 apg @ Lindenwood)

6M: Grant Subblefield (4.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.2 apg)

Oral Roberts Golden Eagles

Projected Starters:

PG: Isaac McBride (19.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.1 apg)

SG: Darius Robinson, Jr. (18.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.3 apg @ JUCO Casper)

SF: Carlos Rosario (2.3 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 0.5 apg @ Drake)

PF: Sam Alajiki (4.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.4 apg @ Rice)

C: Sir Isaac Herron (5.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 0.5 apg)

6M: Josh Jones (3.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.5 apg)

St. Thomas Tommies

Projected Starters:

PG: Drake Dobbs (9.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.5 apg)

SG: Ben Nau (4.6 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 0.9 apg)

SF: Kendall Blue (10.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.6 apg)

PF: Carter Bjerke (5.7 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 0.5 apg)

C: Rich Byre (5.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.8 apg @ Green Bay)

6M: Ryan Dufault (4.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.2 apg)

South Dakota Coyotes

Projected Starters:

PG: Chase Forte (9.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.8 apg @ Northwestern State)

SG: Kaleb Stewart (15.6 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.6 apg)

SF: Paul Bruns (10.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.1 apg)

PF: Dre Bullock (8.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.7 apg @ Niagara)

C: Cameron Fens (2.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.1 apg @ UIC)

6M: Max Burchill (6.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.7 apg)

South Dakota State Jackrabbits

Projected Starters:

PG: Issac Lindsey (0.6 ppg, 0.4 rpg, 0.2 @ Wisconsin)

SG: Kalen Garry (7.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.1 apg)

SF: Andrell Burton (FR)

PF: Nate Barnhart (3.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.9 apg)

C: Oscar Cluff (7.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.2 apg @ Washington State)

6M: Matthew Mors (3.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 0.3 apg)

Coming Next

Thank you for reading the 2024-25 Summit Basketball Preview. To view the conference preview release schedule, keep up to date with us on X @collegehoopsrpt. If you haven’t already, feel free to check out one of our other conference previews linked below! Next up is the Sun Belt Conference. Thank you for reading, and we appreciate all the support!

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Cover Image: Photo Credit: Summit League