After losing just two players to graduation and the transfer portal, the Oswego State men’s basketball team will gear up for the 2026-27 campaign with a strong and efficient mix of veteran leadership and youth.

Under head coach Jason Leone, the Lakers’ roster is headlined by seven upperclassmen, including a pair of seniors in Steven Bradley and Jayson McGhee. Bradley and McGhee return for their final efforts in the green and gold after averaging 14.5 and 11.4 points per game, respectively, in 2025-26. McGhee, who spent his first two collegiate seasons with Herkimer County Community College, uses a physical and efficient style of play to score on all three levels.

Bradley, on the other hand, is a highly-efficient guard that finds his best usage from beyond the arc. The Staten Island native has shot above 44% from three throughout each of his three seasons in Oswego, most notably knocking down 48% of the snipes during his freshman season. He converted on six-of-nine threes against both St. Lawrence University and SUNY Morrisville last year, and consistently spreads the wealth with high assist rates on a game-to-game basis.

Deacon Judd headlines an expansive group of juniors, with the Utica native being a highly productive and consistent piece to the puzzle. After being named the first ever SUNYAC Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year in conference history during the 2024-25 season, Judd built upon his efforts with 18.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game in 2025-26. The forward shot a stellar 51% from the field, coupling it with nine rebounds per game as a second-chance threat. 

Guard Arthur Foster suits up for his junior year after a productive 2025-26 season, in which he dropped double figures in 12 different games and prides himself on getting to the lane with ease. Guard Gary McLane, a Camillus, New York, native, rounds out the usual starting five. McLane brings excellent defensive disruption to the table, headlined by his mark of 69 steals and 16 blocks last season. The West Genesee High School graduate is an efficient connecting piece on offense as well, shooting 46% in his career as a Laker while also using his frame to grab 5.6 rebounds per game.

Freddy Fowler, an exciting and crafty guard, headlines the second unit. Fowler comes into his sophomore year after receiving SUNYAC Rookie of the Year honors in 2025-26, displaying his ability as an efficient multi-level scorer and pesky point-of-attack defender.

Fowler and company begin their 25-game season on Nov. 6, kicking things off in the Bill Sudeck Tournament at Trine University. The team does not come home until Nov. 19, when they welcome out-of-conference foes St. John Fisher, Nazareth and University of Rochester in for the Marks Pizzeria Crosstown Shootout. 

The Lakers receive arguably their most telling contest of the season all the way in January, when they host perennial SUNYAC powerhouse, Cortland. The two last faced off in the SUNYAC championship on Feb. 28, where the Lakers were toppled 84-51. January’s edition of the rivalry may tell a different story, however, as the Red Dragons have now lost three of their top contributors in Aaron Coston (14.8 PPG, 7.9 RPG), Kendall Arcuri (13.2 PPG, 7.3 RPG) and Isaiah Austin (9.8 PPG).

Another demanding stretch will come during the winter days, with the Trinity Holiday Tournament kicking off on Wednesday, Dec. 30. The Lakers travel to Connecticut to first take on host Trinity, who is nothing short of a tall task. The Bantams are 89-8 since the 2023-24 season, and made it all the way to the NCAA Division III final four in 2026, where they narrowly lost to the then-No.5 University of Mary Washington. 

If the Lakers emerge victorious, they will face either Westfield State University or the City College of New York in the tournament’s championship. The team then returns home to face off against Liberty League opponent Ithaca College on Jan. 4, before beginning their in-conference slate against SUNY Cobleskill on Jan. 8. 

The Lakers, who currently hold the highest winning percentage throughout all of D-III basketball in the last 15 years, trek all the way to the SUNYAC tournament from Feb. 23-27. 

The demanding test of college basketball all begins in a few weeks for the Lakers, who, on paper, carry nothing short of a recipe for success heading into the 2026-27 season.