Last season was a culmination of years of player development, culture building and improvement for Drexel men’s basketball team, as the Dragons’ veteran-led squad carried the team to a 20-12 record, good for second best in the CAA, and the program’s best record since 2012. After a disappointing early exit to Stony Brook, head coach Zach Spiker was faced with an incredible challenge, rebuilding the program and searching for another strong season.
The ever-busy transfer portal and ever-increasing NIL landscape meant that Drexel’s back-to-back-to-back CAA Defensive Player of the Year and senior big man, Amari Williams, would be out the door, with the forward transferring to Kentucky in April. As Williams left Philadelphia this spring, so did Justin Moore, the team’s leading scorer from last season, who journeys to the windy city to join the Loyola Chicago Ramblers. Aside from Moore and Williams, guards Jamie Bergens and Lamar Oden left Drexel for Fairfield and Charleston Southern, respectively.
Spiker’s veteran core group took further blows with the graduation of Luke House, Mate Okros and Lucas Monroe. All three players finished top-5 on the team in scoring last season, and House led the team with a fantastic 41.2 percent mark from beyond the arc on over four attempts per game. Additionally, Garfield Turner, one of only five returning players who saw the court for Drexel last season, was announced out for season with a knee injury.
With Turner out for season, Drexel retains only four players from last season, and only two of whom have ever played significant minutes: Kobe Magee and Yame Butler. Only 19 percent of Drexel’s total scoring from last season returns, highlighting the team’s inexperience and challenge in building a new era of Drexel basketball.
Who transferred in?
Jason “Deuce” Drake (Butler Community College)
Drake joins Drexel as a junior, following spending his freshman season at D1 Cleveland State, and last season at Butler Community College, a junior college in Kansas. The 6’2” guard showcased his shooting ability last season, averaging 9.6 points per game on 47 percent shooting from the field and 42 percent from deep. His 3.7 assists per game ranked ninth among players in the KJCCC conference. “Deuce” is in contention to be the starting point guard and is a crafty pass-first guard that can hit a deep shot as well.
Villiam Garcia Adsten (Pacific)
The Swedish sophomore joins Drexel with an interesting basketball background. The 6’8” guard played for Sweden in 2023, as a part of the U20 European Championship Division team, averaging 8.4 points per contest. Despite limited playing time at Pacific last season, the Stockholm native scored a season-high nine points against powerhouse Gonzaga. Garcia Adsten is a tall wing whose primary role could center around shooting, although he may fall lower in the rotation than some of the other transfers.
Victor Panov (Daytona State College)
The Russian native arrives to University City after playing his freshman season at D1 Cal State Fullerton and sophomore year at Daytona State College. The 6’7” junior averaged 13.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game on 56 percent shooting from the field and 38 percent from three, where he led Daytona State to a 28-4 record and 14-2 in conference play. Panov is a multi talented forward who can shoot from deep, move to the basket quickly and set up teammates well.
Kevon Vanderhorst (Brunswick Community College)
Vanderhorst joins Drexel after a standout freshman season at Brunswick Community College. The 6’2” guard averaged 13 points and 4.4 assists per game, earning NJCAA Division I Honorable Mention All-American honors. Known for his downhill attacking style, Kevon excels at getting to the paint and finding his spots. He recorded an impressive 2.5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio last season, showcasing his playmaking ability. “When I get out in transition, it’s a show,” Vanderhorst said. Unfortunately, Vanderhorst is out indefinitely with a broken wrist to begin the season, but he is expected to return at some point this season.
Who are the new freshmen?
Ralph Akuta (Hargrave Military Academy)
Akuta enters as a notable freshman, being the first 7-foot player Drexel has seen in Zach Spiker’s tenure. The forward attended Hargrave Military academy, where he averaged 7.1 points, 2.1 blocks and 7.8 rebounds per game, on 57.2 percent shooting. Akuta’s large stature and strong rim protection skills, paired with his solid touch around the rim, should ensure the freshman sees the court a good amount this season.
Clemson Edomwonyin (South Kent School)
Edomwonyin started his basketball career only four years ago. The British big man has experience playing overseas in Spain, where he was named Defensive Player of the Year in the EABL U19 League for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The 6’9” forward spent last year at the South Kent School, where he averaged 8.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.
“I feel like playing in Spain gave me a lot of confidence in what I can do, and will help me translate my speed and athleticism to playing at Drexel,” Edomwonyin said.
Josh Reed (Archbishop Wood)
Reed made his mark as a Philadelphia high school basketball legend, finishing his career at Archbishop as a Catholic League champion in 2021, and earning First Team All-Catholic League, and All-State honors. The 6’3” guard averaged 18.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, shooting 35 percent from three.
With a new Drexel Dragons squad and a degree of uncertainty in the air, it should be fascinating to see how Spiker runs his rotations to help lead Drexel back to success.