Presbyterian:
Background and 25-26 Recap:
Coming off one of their best seasons in program history at the Division 1 level in 2024-25, PC hoped to carry that success into 25-26. That success carried into the next season, including early-season wins against East Tennessee State and an upset victory over Georgia State. Presbyterian, much like in 2024-25, finished 7-9, tying their best record since 2019. Presbyterian would do something else they hadn’t done since 2019. That being winning a Big South tournament against Radford after a Carl Parrish buzzer-beater sent the game to overtime.
Like 24-25, Presbyterian leads the entire conference in minute retention in the offseason. This season, Presbyterian ranks 8th in D1 basketball in minute retention, with 73.8% of minutes returning. That returning group is led by two All-Conference honorees from a season ago: reigning Big South DPOY Jaylen Peterson, joined by Carl Parrish, an All-Big South Honorable Mention from last season. In total, Presbyterian returns 11 players from last season. Those 11 are joined by a very solid freshman class and a two-time NCAA D2 Tournament transfer PG.
The Returners:
G: Carl Parrish
Despite originally entering the portal, Carl Parrish has decided to return for one more season for the Blue Hose. Last season Parrish averaged 14.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG, and 2.4 APG. That came off the heels of a 24-25 season in which Parrish averaged 6.8 PPG on nearly 50-40-90 shooting.
Last season, Carl Parrish was one of the most clutch players in the Big South. Only two Big South players hit more than 1 Game-Tying or Game-Winning Field Goal in the final 10 seconds: Kody Clouet (vs LIU and vs Radford) and Carl Parrish (vs Georgia State and vs Radford).
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: 33 Games (33 Starts) 14.4 PPG - 2.8 RPG - 2.4 APG
2025-26 Percentages (2PT/3PT/FT): 42.6% - 40.2% - 84.5%
2025-26 All-Big South Honorable Mention
G: Khalon Hudson
After redshirting his first season for the Blue Hose, Khalon Hudson showed flashes in his junior season. Last season, Hudson averaged 3.9 PPG and 2.5 RPG playing in all but one game for the Blue Hose.
Khalon Hudson ended the season playing some of his best basketball, with two of his best games coming during conference play. Hudson scored 17 points against Gardner-Webb in their first matchup and 12 points against Gardner-Webb in their second.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: 32 Games (0 Starts) 3.9 PPG - 2.5 RPG - 0.3 APG
2025-26 Percentages (2PT/3PT/FT): 62.1% - 20.3% - 90.3%
2025-26 NABC Honor Court
2023-24 NJCAA Honorable Mention All-American
G: Erik Taylor
Despite only appearing in 6 games due to an injury, Erik Taylor showed his potential for the Blue Hose. In those 6 games, Taylor averaged 6.2 PPG and 3.3 APG, including 11 points and 6 assists against Georgia State. Before coming to Presbyterian, Taylor spent 1 season at Sam Houston State, playing in 25 games at 11.1 MPG.
Erik Taylor developed massively as a playmaker in his first season at Presbyterian. In his 6 games, Taylor led Presbyterian in Assists in 4 of those games. Taylor also had a 31.4% assist percentage and a 2.86 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: 6 Games (4 Starts) 6.2 PPG - 1.7 RPG - 3.3 APG
2025-26 Percentages (2PT/3PT/FT): 66.7% - 29.4% - 76.9%
G: JD Bowden
The more experienced of the freshman guards from last season is JD Bowden. Last season, Bowden appeared in 28 games for the Blue Hose, averaging 2 PPG, 0.4 RPG, and 1 APG. Coming out of HS, Bowden had a series of offers, including from other Big South programs (High Point and Radford).
JD Bowden wasn’t just a freshman but a very impactful one. JD Bowden ranked in the 89th percentile in On/Off Net Rating, with a 12-point increase when he was on the floor. Bowden also shot over 85% from the free-throw line on limited attempts.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: 28 Games (0 Starts) 2 PPG - 0.4 RPG - 1 APG
2025-26 Percentages (2PT/3PT/FT): 32% - 28% - 87%
G: Amare Anderson
The other freshman guard returning for the Blue Hose is Amare Anderson. Last season, Anderson appeared in 22 games, averaging 1.2 PPG, 0.4 RPG, and 0.3 APG.
In his limited shot attempts last season, Anderson was a really solid 2PT shooter. On 14 2PT attempts, Anderson shot 64.3% from inside the arc.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: 22 Games (0 Starts) 1.2 PPG - 0.4 RPG - 0.3 APG
2025-26 Percentages (2PT/3PT/FT): 64.3% - 25% - 66.7%
G: Luke Allison
In his second season for Presbyterian, Luke Allison appeared in 8 games for the Blue Hose. Across those 8 games, Allison averaged 0.4 PPG, 0.3 RPG, and 0.1 APG. In his freshman season at Presbyterian, Allison averaged 1.7 PPG and 0.7 RPG across 3 games.
During his prep season at Experience Academy, Allison averaged 15 PPG and 10 APG, shooting over 45% from beyond the arc. Allison also played 4 seasons at Missoula Sentinel before his season at Experience Academy.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: 0.4 PPG - 0.3 RPG - 0.1 APG
G/F: Triston Wilson
One of the biggest breakouts in the conference last season came from Triston Wilson, who returns for his junior season at Presbyterian. Last season, Triston Wilson started all 33 games for the Blue Hose, averaging 11.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 3.8 APG. Wilson returns after finishing 3rd in the Big South in APG.
Last season, Wilson really saw a massive breakout from his freshman season. In his freshman season, Wilson averaged 2.5 PPG and 1.5 RPG. Last season, Wilson saw an over-8 PPG increase, doubled his RPG, and more than 5x his APG, going from 0.7 APG to 3.8 APG.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: 33 Games (33 Starts) 11.4 PPG - 3.3 RPG - 3.8 APG
2025-26 Percentages (2PT/3PT/FT): 52% - 23.5% - 80.9%
G/F: Iverson King
Iverson King returned last season after an All-Big South Freshman Team season, and now returns after a similar season that was cut short by injury. Last season, King appeared in 21 games, averaging 4.5 PPG and 2.8 RPG.
The down season last season really doesn’t showcase what to expect from King. King shot 49% from 2PT, 22.2% from 3PT, and 68% on free throws. In King’s freshman season, he shot 54.6% from 2PT, 44% from 3PT, and 73.8% on free throws.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: 21 Games (2 Starts) 4.5 PPG - 2.8 RPG - 0.7 APG
2025-26 Percentages (2PT/3PT/FT): 49% - 22.2% - 68%
2024-25 All-Big South Freshman Team
F: Jaylen Peterson
The Big South Defensive Player of the Year last season, Jaylen Peterson returns as the main man in the frontcourt. Last season, Peterson started all 33 games for the Blue Hose and averaged 10.9 PPG. On the defensive end, Peterson averaged 7.9 RPG (3rd in the conference), 1.5 BPG (5th in the conference), and 1 SPG (25th).
Jaylen Peterson has the potential for a strong offensive breakout for the Blue Hose this season. Last season, Pierce averaged 16 PPG on 59% shooting at the rim and 49% from the paint; Peterson averaged nearly 11 PPG on 73% shooting at the rim and 48% from the paint. If Peterson can maintain similar, or at worst slightly lower, efficiency, he could have a big season.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: 33 Games (33 Starts): 10.9 PPG - 7.5 RPG - 0.8 APG
2025-26 Percentages (2PT/3PT/FT): 59.6% - 100% - 56.3%
2025-26 Big South Defensive Player of the Year
2025-26 All-Big South Honorable Mention
F: Chidi Chiakwelu
Returning after a solid freshman season that even set some Presbyterian history, Chidi Chiakwelu has a chance to have a massive breakout. Last season, Chiakwelu appeared in all 33 games for the Blue Hose, averaging 3.4 PPG and 2.4 RPG. Chiakwelu also tied the single-game D1 blocks record at Presbyterian with 6 blocks against Wofford.
Chiakwelu had two really stellar games last season, one coming when it mattered most for the Blue Hose. First, his game against Wofford, in which he had 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 blocks that tied the Presbyterian D1 record. The second game came during the Big South Tournament against Radford, where Chiakwelu set a new career high of 18 points along with 8 rebounds.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: 33 Games (0 Starts) 3.4 PPG - 2.4 RPG - 0.1 APG
2025-26 Percentages (2PT/3PT/FT): 68.2% - 0% - 43.8%
Tied Single-Game D1 Presbyterian Block Record - 6 (12/03/25)
F: Augustine Ayelyine
Last season, Augustine Ayelyine redshirted for the Blue Hose and returned for his 1st season of D1 action. Coming out of HS, Ayelyine was a Top 50 player out of the state of Florida according to Prep Hoops.
Ayelyine provides much-needed size for the Blue Hose after losing Jonah Pierce to graduation this past season. Ayelyine also uses his size very well, averaging a double-double during his junior season of high school.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: Redshirted
The Transfers:
G: EJ Smith - Lincoln Memorial (D2)
The lone transfer for the Blue Hose is EJ Smith from the D2 powerhouse Lincoln Memorial. Last season, EJ Smith averaged 10.3 PPG, 2.5 APG, and 1.9 RPG in 31 games, starting 16 of them. Smith also played in the D2 tournament in both of his seasons at Lincoln Memorial.
EJ Smith was one of the most important playmakers and creators for LMU the past two seasons. Smith had a 22.2% Assist Percentage last season and a 1.58x assist-to-turnover rate.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: 31 Games (16 Starts) 10.3 PPG - 1.9 RPG - 2.5 APG
2025-26 Percentages (2PT/3PT/FT): 49.5% - 35.4% - 80.6%
The Freshmen:
G: Wade Marsh - Cardinal Newman (SC)
The lone SC freshman in this class for the Blue Hose is Cardinal Newman guard Wade Marsh. In Marsh’s senior season at Cardinal Newman, Marsh averaged 15.3 PPG, 6 RPG, and 1 APG. Those averages helped Marsh earn a spot in the SCISA All-Star Game.
Wade Marsh was a very productive guard last season at Cardinal Newman. In 26 games last season, Marsh had 7 20+ Point Games and 4 Double-Doubles.
HS Accolades/Recruiting Info:
2026 SCISA All-Star Game Member
G: Nehemiah Young - South Kent School (CT)
The final addition for the Presbyterian Blue Hose was South Kent School guard, Nehemiah Young. Last season at South Kent, Young averaged 11.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG, and 1.6 APG.
Young comes from a very successful basketball family. His father, Charlton Young, is a current assistant coach at Miami and has had a career spanning over 30 seasons. His mother, Carolyn Jones-Young, had a successful career herself, helping take Auburn to the NCAA Title Game, winning Bronze in the Olympics in 1992, and spending 2 seasons in the WNBA.
HS Accolades/Recruiting Info:
27th Ranked Guard in New England according to PrepHoops
F: Langston Hackworth - Andrew Jackson (FL)
One of the biggest additions for the Presbyterian is Andrew Jackson forward Langston Hackworth. As a senior, Hackworth averaged 14.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 1.1 APG, shooting over 39% from 3. Hackworth won the MVP Award at the Traft Florida All-Star Game at the end of his senior season.
Hackworth has a decent likelihood of playing a decent amount this season based on his very good positional size. As a freshman, Hackworth enters as the tallest player alongside fellow RS Freshman/2nd-year Augustine Ayelyine.
HS Accolades/Recruiting Info:
2026 Traft Florida All-Star Game
5th Ranked Center in the State of Florida
Other Offers: Edward Waters
Overall Thoughts:
Last season, Presbyterian didn’t have extraordinary regular-season success but showed a ton of flashes, with wins against ETSU and Georgia State and pushing High Point very close in all 3 games. Presbyterian now enters the Big South with the most retention, only losing Jonah Pierce and Josh Pickett to graduation and the Transfer Portal. Presbyterian returns the only two All-Big South members from last season: Carl Parrish and Jaylen Peterson, both All-Big South Honorable Mentions. In total, Presbyterian ranks 8th in the country in RPMS, according to Bart Torvik, returning 68% more than the next-best Big South program.
Presbyterian kept their additions limited, with only 5. Presbyterian targeted areas where they had less proven talent, namely their guard room. PC’s lone transfer, along with 3 of their 4 freshmen, were guard additions. Their lone big-man addition enters as one of the two tallest players on the team after playing elite HS basketball one season ago.
The biggest area Presbyterian lacked last season was a true PG. Early last season, Presbyterian had a very solid PG in Erik Taylor, but after 6 games, Taylor suffered an injury that ended his season. That loss forced PC to play either Josh Pickett, Triston Wilson, or Carl Parrish out of position. Erik Taylor returns with fellow PG JD Bowden; joining them are Lincoln Memorial transfer guard EJ Smith and freshman Wade Marsh, a productive guard in HS.
The rest of the guard room provides some of the biggest reasons to love Presbyterian’s roster. They have All-Big South Honorable Mention honoree Carl Parrish returning after averaging 14 PPG and originally entering the transfer portal. Returning alongside Parrish are Khalon Hudson and Amare Anderson. Joining that guard core is Nehemiah Young from South Kent School, coming from a long line of basketball family members.
The forward room at Presbyterian is up there with the top levels of the league. Jaylen Peterson, Triston Wilson, and Iverson King have been productive players who will likely see a larger role this season. Augustine Ayelyine comes in after redshirting last season as the team’s tallest player, alongside freshman Langston Hackworth, who could be an underrated impact freshman. The player who could really break out in this frontcourt is Chidi Chiakwelu; if he can play as he did at the end of last season, PC would be a very tough team to face down low.
Despite what the record would indicate about last season, Presbyterian really played some of the best basketball in the Big South. Last season, in their 5 games against Winthrop and High Point, Presbyterian lost by single digits 4 times and by a single possession 3 times. The returning continuity, along with addressing their biggest need from last season, is big. Adding depth at the guard and forward positions was just the cherry on top. Presbyterian is poised for what could be their best season in D1 history.