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Men's Basketball Signees 2026

Men's Basketball Adds 11 Signees For 2026-27 Season

July 31, 2026

By: Morgan Sheehan, Assistant AD/Communications & Strategic Initiatives

PEMBROKE - UNC Pembroke men's basketball head coach Drew Richards announced the addition of 11 players for the 2026-27 roster on Monday afternoon. Dylan Colon, Marquis Gill, Malaki Brooks, Jaquarious Patterson, Ca'Darrius Sowell, Jason Johnson, Ja'Kwon Moore, Maurio Hanson, Jr., James Deloach, and Cinque Lemon all are transfer student-athletes that will be eligible to play immediately. Lavant Burgess is an incoming freshman who will join the team and be eligible to play immediately. 

Men's Basketball Signees 2026
Our coaching staff did a phenomenal job of bringing in what is the largest and could be most impactful class we have had in many years. We have a lot to replace from last season, but I believe this group has the ability to provide a talent level that surpasses it. Combining them with our integral pieces returning and I believe we can put a first-class product in the court.
UNC Pembroke Head Coach Drew Richards
2026-27 Men's Basketball Roster

#0 DYLAN COLON
6-1, 180, Redshirt Junior, Guard
Mount Vernon, N.Y. / Pensacola State

Signing Dylan Colon

BEFORE UNCP: Played two seasons at Pensacola State where he saw action in a total of 64 games logging 63 starts ... Over the seasons, he shot 41.7 percent from the field and averaged 9.8 points per game. 

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Mount Vernon High School for coach Bob Cimmino.

PERSONAL: Enjoys bowling ... Lists his mom as his idol ... The New York Knicks are his favorite team and pasta is his favorite food ... An interdisciplinary studies major at UNCP. 
 

A former FCSAA tournament MVP, Dylan is a quick guard who can relentlessly touch paint & create for his teammates. He has a consistent midrange and a high ceiling defensively, using quickness and physicality to bother offensive players. Definitely has a New York style toughness!
- Head Coach Drew Richards

#1 MARQUIS GILL
5-10, 180, Senior, Guard 
Middletown, N.Y. / Christian Brothers

Signing Marquis Gill

BEFORE UNCP: Made stops at Our Savior Lutheran Prep and SUNY Orange CC ... Made his most recent stop at Christian Brothers where he played one season and averaged 18.5 points per game. 

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Middletown High School for coach Jim Kelly ... Named the Player of the Year and a first team all-star.

PERSONAL: Enjoys cooking, yoga and golfing ... Lists his mother as his idol ... The New York Knicks are his favorite team and chicken alfredo is his favorite food ... A psychology major at UNCP. 

Gill is a microwave, with range from deep and creative finishing. He never averaged less than 3 assists, balancing playmaking for his teammates and scoring the ball. His family moved to North Carolina a few years ago so it is perfect he can finish his college career as a Brave!
- Head Coach Drew Richards

#3 MALAKI BROOKS
6-1, 170, Junior, Guard
Union City, Tenn. / Walters State CC

Signing Maliki Brooks

BEOFRE UNCP: Played two seasons at Walters State Community College ... Over the two seasons he played in 63 games with 25 starts ... Averaged 8.9 points during his two seasons. 

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Union City High School for coach Shane Sisco ... A finalist for Mr. Basketball ... Named the district and regional MVP. 

PERSONAL: Enjoys meeting new people ... Lists his mom as his idol ... Seafood boil is his favorite food ... A business major at UNCP. 

Mali is a crafty, athletic PG who was an integral piece to the best team in WSCC history. He is smooth with great playmaking ability for his teammates who consistently hits the long ball from distance. He defends the ball at a high level, using his length to disrupt the opponent.
- Head Coach Drew Richards

#4 JAQUARIOUS PATTERSON
6-7, 190, Junior, Guard
Anderson, S.C. / Navarro College

Signing Jaquarious Patterson

BEFORE UNCP: Played two seasons at Navarro College where he played in 57 total games logging 43 starts ... Over two seasons he averaged 10.8 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per game. 

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at T.I. Hanna High School for coach Keith Arrington. 

PERSONAL: The son of Toya and Lewis ... Has two brothers, Cam and Karon ... Also has two sisters, Tydaija and Aniyah ... Enjoys basketball and video games ... Lists his mom as his idol and chicken as his favorite food ... An interdisciplinary studies major at UNCP. 

JQ is a swing who shoots the cover off the ball. He has a high release & smooth, consistent stroke. His length & mobility help him be effective both defensively & rebounding & his athleticism gives him the versatility to play multiple positions. He's just scratching the surface!
- Head Coach Drew Richards

#5 CA'DARRIUS SOWELL
6-1, 185, Senior, Guard
Kershaw, S.C. / Florida Tech

Signing Ca'Darrius Sowell

AS A JUNIOR AT FLORIDA TECH (2025-26): Appeared in all 28 games making 26 starts ... Averaged 14.0 points and scored in double-digits in 22 games. 

AS A SOPHOMORE AT NORTH GREENVILLE (2024-25): Saw action in 28 games logging 23 starts ... Scored 10 or more points in 20 different games ... Averaged 12.8 points ... Scored a season-high 21 points against Chowan.

AS A REDSHIRT FRESHMAN AT NORTH GREENVILLE (2023-24): Appeared in 25 games logging five starts ... Averaged 10.9 points per game ...Scored a career-high 28 points against Converse.

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Andrew Jackson High School for coach Danny Wright ... Averaged 26.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game during his senior year ... Scored over 1,000 points in his career ... Named the 2A State Player of the Year and was an all-state honoree ... Selected to play in the North/South All-Star game where he was named the MVP. 

PERSONAL: Maintained a 4.3 grade point average at Andrew Jackson High School ... Enjoys cooking and playing video games ... Lists his dad as his idol ... J. Cole is his favorite artist and chicken alfredo is his favorite food ... A criminal justice major at UNCP. 

We were very familiar with KD and this past season was his best yet. He is a competitive, physical guard that is an elite finisher 15 feet and in but developed a consistent long ball. He is also a great facilitator and will take some risks for high level passes to his teammates.
- Head Coach Drew Richards

#8 JASON JOHNSON
6-7, 200, Sophomore, Forward
Tampa, Fla. / Itawamba CC

Signing Jason Johnson

BEFORE UNCP: Played one season at Itawamba Community College ... Saw action in 31 games ... Averaged 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. 

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Blake High School for coach Lewis ... Helped his team to a district championship and a 27-5 record during his senior year.

PERSONAL: The son of Rashima Meteye and Jason Johnson ... Has one younger brother, Jaseon ... Also has an older sister, Jasmon ... Graduated with honors from Blake High School ... Enjoys fishing ... Wings are his favorite food ... An exercise science major at UNCP. 

Jason's motor is relentless! As a true freshman, he helped lead ICC to one of its best seasons ever. He rebounds, defends, runs the floor like his hair is on fire, and finishes with power around the basket. His potential is extremely high and he could get so much better!
- Head Coach Drew Richards

#11 JA'KWON MOORE
6-6, 210, Redshirt Junior, Guard/Forward
Teachy, N.C. / Tallahassee State CC

Signing Ja'Kwon Moore

BEFORE UNCP: Played in 25 games as a freshman at Georgia Southwester where he averaged 12.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game ... Scored a career high 26 points against Georgia College ... Transferred to Tallahassee State CC where he played in 14 games and averaged 9.1 points per game. 

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at New Life Christian Academy for Coach Parker ... Named the Player of the Year. 

PERSONAL: The son of Lisa and Chrishawn ... Enjoys basketball ... An undecided major at UNCP. 

Nuke is an athletic, high motor swing that is elite downhill, making shots & finishing multiple ways. Pound for pound the strongest player on the floor at any point, he has a high motor on defense and in rebounding. We are excited to bring his competitive nature to The Broke!
- Head Coach Drew Richards

#13 CINQUE LEMON
6-7, 215, Redshirt Junior, Forward
Spring Lake, N.C. / Tallahassee State CC

Signing Cinque Lemon

BEFORE UNCP: Played in 14 games at Western Carolina ... Transferred to Tallahassee State CC Where he saw actino in 18 games logging 15 starts ... Averaged 8.6 points per game. 

HIGH SCHOOL: Scored over 2,000 points in his career. 

PERSONAL: Maintained a 3.6 grade point average at Overhills High School ... Enjoys drawing and reading ... Lists the New York Knicks as his favorite team and salmon as his favorite food ... A sports management major at UNCP. 

We are lucky to have Cinque in our program! After an injury derailed a productive season at Tallahassee last year, he is taking some time off to rehabilitate post-surgery. The goal is to be back healthy and better than ever!
- Head Coach Drew Richards

#14 LAVANT BURGESS
6-8, 240, Freshman, Forward
St. Petersburg, Fla. / Seminole HS

Signing Lavant Burgess

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Seminole High School for coach Joshua Walker ... Helped his team to a 14-10 record during his senior year ... Averaged 19.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game ... Scored over 1,000 points in his career and tallied over 500 rebounds during his high school career ... Named first team all-county during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. 

PERSONAL: The son of Kateland Merriweather and Laurent Burgess ... Has two younger brothers, Marquel and Kurtis ... Also has a younger sister, Gabriella ... Enjoys basketball, playing video games and watching tv ... Lists his mom as his idol ... The Milwaukee Bucks are his favorite team and seafood is his favorite food ... A business major at UNCP. 

Lavant a big, skilled forward who has phenomenal touch around the basket. He has a nose for the ball and gobbles up rebounds in and out of his area. He also has the ability to knock in 3’s and is explosive finishing above the rim. We are expecting an impactful freshman season!
- Head Coach Drew Richards

#21 MAURIO HANSON, JR.
6-7, 215, Junior, Forward
Charlotte, N.C. / Maryland Eastern Shore

Signing Maurio Hanson

BEFORE UNCP: Saw action in 23 games at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore ... Averaged 2.8 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. 

HIGH SCHOOL: Chambers High School ... Finished his senior year averaging 15.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game ... Had a pair of triple-doubles and 16 double-double performances. 

PERSONAL: The son of Aldia and Maurio Hanson, Sr. ... Has two sisters, Amari and Milan ... Enjoys basketball ... Lists his dad as his idol ... Chicken and rice is his favorite food ... A digital marketing major at UNCP.

Rio is a versatile, skilled forward who can play inside/outside, scoring on the block and stretching the defense with his shot. He also collects boards against bigger opponents. If he continues to develop defensively, he will be very valuable to our team during his time at UNCP.
- Head Coach Drew Richards

#35 JAMES DELOACH
6-5, 210, Junior, Forward
Sherwood, Ark. / Shawnee State CC

Signing James Deloach

BEFORE UNCP: Played two seasons at Shawnee State Community College.

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Southwest Magnet High School for Coach Threatt. 

PERSONAL: The son of Joann Powell ... Enjoys basketball and gaming ... Lists his AAU coach, Jonathan Taylor, as his idol ... Seafood is his favorite food ... An undecided major at UNCP. 

James is a true POWER forward! He is a skilled, physical, and athletic undersized scorer who is effective at all three levels. He faced multiple double teams this season, producing consistently regardless of opponent gameplan. He also plays with a fire that fits us well!
- Head Coach Drew Richards