​The 2025-26 season recap shows a 16-16 overall record with an 8-12 mark in Big East play, placing DePaul in sixth place in the conference. The Blue Demons bowed out in the Opening Round of the Big East Tournament after a loss to Georgetown. Chris Holtmann is entering his third season as head coach, continuing the work of rebuilding and elevating the program within a competitive Big East landscape.
Departing players comprise a mix of graduating seniors, transfers, and players who pursued opportunities elsewhere. CJ Gunn graduates after posting 13.1 points per game. NJ Benson leaves the program after averaging 11.7 PPG, while Brandon Maclin moves on after a 10.5 PPG season. RJ Smith transferred out, having contributed 6.6 PPG, and Kaleb Banks graduates with 5.6 PPG. Jeremy Lorenz elected to transfer to St. Thomas, where he averaged 2.2 PPG, and Ilija Milijasevic moves to Wright State with 2.1 PPG. Khaman Maker departs for Marshall after 1.3 PPG, and Isaiah Medina redshirted his freshman year before transferring to Missouri State.
Returning players form the core of the roster. Layden Blocker, a 6’2” senior, put up 11.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, providing senior leadership and playmaking. Kruz McClure, a 6’6” sophomore, contributed 5 PPG as a versatile guard/wing. Theo Pierre-Justin, a 6’10” junior, averaged 4 PPG and 2.6 rebounds while shooting an efficient 39.7% from three-point range, giving the team shooting and size. Fabian Flores stands 7’2” as a 7’2” junior, contributing 2.9 PPG and 2.9 rebounds with room to grow his outside shooting. Amsal Delalic, a 6’8” junior who redshirted this past season due to a knee injury, previously averaged 3.8 PPG and 2.0 rebounds in 2024-25, hitting 35.3% from three before his setback. Nate Kasher, a 6’1” redshirt sophomore, appeared in five games but did not feature heavily. Jonas Johnson, a 6’7” freshman who redshirted this season as a preferred walk-on, adds depth for the future.
The new additions bring a mix of scoring, size, and versatility. Magoon Gwath, a 7’ redshirt junior transfer from San Diego State, immediately impacts the frontcourt, averaging 8.9 PPG, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 43.5% from three, giving DePaul a flexible rim protector and floor spacer. Kahmare Holmes, a 6’3” junior transfer from Wofford, enters as a dynamic scoring guard with 19.5 PPG, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2 steals per game, plus efficient outside shooting (48.3% from the field, 35.2% from three). Koree Cotton, a 6’6” senior transfer from UT Rio Grande Valley, adds scoring (13.9 PPG), rebounding (5.3 RPG), and playmaking (2.5 APG), along with 1.2 blocks and 1 steal per game on 40.3% from three. Noah Meeusen, a 6’5” junior transfer from Arizona State, provides 5.9 PPG, 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.4 steals, though his shooting from three sits at 31%. Ade Popoola, a 6’5” senior transfer from Tulsa, brings 10.8 PPG, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.3 steals, with a strong 40.9% three-point percentage. Wilson Jacques, a 7’ senior transfer from Fresno State, contributes 8.8 PPG and a robust 8.8 rebounds per game, likely anchoring the boards. Noa Smith, a 6’8” freshman, arrives as a three-star recruit per 247Sports, ranked as the 25th-ranked power forward in the class. Mason Lockett IV, a 6’5” freshman from Oswego, IL, and Andrew Jensen, a 6’10” freshman from Kaukauna, WI, round out the incoming class as unranked prospects, bringing youth and potential to develop under Holtmann.
Overall, the season reflected a surprising yet meaningful step forward for DePaul in Holtmann’s second year, highlighted by a sixth-place finish in the Big East—an improvement that stands out in the program’s trajectory since joining the league in 2005. The improvement in conference standing signaled tangible progress amid a demanding schedule, even as the overall record remained indicative of a program in the process of reorganizing and enhancing depth, perimeter shooting, and consistency. With the roster overhaul and the addition of multiple skilled transfers, DePaul is positioned to build on this foundation in the coming season, aiming to capitalize on the momentum of the midseason success and push toward a higher finish and stronger postseason aspirations. The goal remains clear: to push past the floor of recent seasons and challenge for a top-tier finish in a league known for its competitiveness, with the long-term objective of returning to consistent contention and potential postseason relevance.