USC Upstate:
Background and 25-26 Recap:
Marty Richter’s second year at USC Upstate had its ups and downs. The season began with one of the biggest highs possible, as USC Upstate beat Fresno State in an early-season buy game. USC Upstate parlayed that win, along with other momentum, into their best non-conference record since the 2016-17 season. Upstate hit some lows in conference play, starting 0-3 before grabbing a lone win and then falling into yet another 0-3 stretch. USC Upstate finished the regular season at 13-18 before falling to Gardner-Webb in the First Round of the Big South Tournament.
Entering Year 3, a lot has changed for USC Upstate. Upstate had its first senior class, with Breylin Garcia and Isaiah Skinner running out of eligibility. Karmani Gregory, Mason Bendinger, Carmelo Adkins, and 6 other players entered the transfer portal. Despite those losses, USC Upstate returns 2 key players from last season: Learic Davis and Coen Collier. The new additions are headlined, in Marty Richter fashion, by 7 players with JUCO experience; alongside them are two D1 transfers, 1 D2 transfer, and two freshmen, with one having professional experience.
The Returners:
G: CJ Rich
The lone returning guard for Marty Richter, and lone returner from the Dave Dickerson era of Upstate basketball, is CJ Rich. Last season, Rich appeared in 4 games for Upstate, averaging 3.2 PPG, 1 RPG, and 1.2 APG.
Rich brings experience as he enters his 4th season in Spartansburg. CJ Rich can also be a massive off-court leader for Upstate with his participation in the Men’s Basketball Student-Athlete Engagement Group for the NCAA.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: 4 Games (1 Start) 3.2 PPG - 1 RPG - 1.2 APG
2025-26 Percentages (2PT/3PT/FT): 33.3% - 75% - 66.7%
Member of the Men’s Basketball Student-Athlete Engagement Group
G/W: Learic Davis
The lead returner for USC Upstate is one of their most interesting players, Learic Davis. Last season at Upstate, Davis averaged 8.3 PPG and 4.6 RPG across 28 games for the Spartans. Coming out of HS, Learic Davis was a Top 300 recruit, including serious Power 5 interest.
At times last season, Learic Davis was a true #1 option for USC Upstate. Davis had 3 games in double figures during Big South games, those being against High Point, Presbyterian, and Charleston Southern, all very solid teams from one season ago. Davis also had double figures against ACC foe North Carolina.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: 28 Games (20 Starts) 8.3 PPG - 4.6 RPG - 0.8 APG
2025-26 Percentages (2PT/3PT/FT): 59.8% - 32.8% - 75%
C: Coen Collier
The lone returning big man for the Spartans is 7’ 1” Coen Collier. Last season at Upstate, Collier played in 30 games, including 9 starts, averaging 1.8 PPG and 3.8 RPG.
Collier was really impactful for the Spartans, especially at protecting the rim with his massive size. Collier had an over 10% Block Percentage, placing him in the 97th percentile. Collier also has nearly 10% Offensive Rebound Percentage and nearly 19% Defensive Rebound Percentage.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: 30 Games (9 Starts) 1.8 PPG - 3.8 RPG - 0.6 APG
2025-26 Percentages (2PT/3PT/FT): 42.1% - 0% - 30%
The Transfers:
G: Amont’e Allen Johnson - Florida Southwestern (JUCO)
One of two guards in USC Upstate’s backcourt, with both JUCO and D1 experience, Amont’e Allen Johnson most recently played at Florida Southwestern. Last season at Florida Southwestern State, Allen Johnson averaged 8.1 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 3.7 APG. Allen Johnson played in 8 games at Texas A&M Corpus Christi in his freshman season, including scoring 6 points in 9 minutes against Northern Kentucky.
The Florida Southwestern-to-USC Upstate pipeline continues with USC Upstate’s 3rd addition in as many seasons. The other two additions were key pieces for USC Upstate: Karmani Gregory and Jafeth Martinez, but both departed after last season.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: 30 Games (26 Starts) 8.1 PPG - 3.5 RPG - 3.7 APG
2025-26 Percentages (2PT/3PT/FT): 39.4% - 31.9% - 67%
G: Jalyn Patterson - Navarro College (JUCO)
Coming from Navarro College, with lineage to college basketball players, is guard Jalyn Patterson. In his freshman season at Navarro College, Patterson averaged 14 PPG, 2.4 RPG, and 3.6 APG, shooting over 38% from beyond the arc. For his work, Patterson earned Region XIV 2nd Team All-Region honors.
Patterson had an elite HS career playing at Minnesota Prep Academy, including scoring 44 points against Darryn Peterson. Patterson also comes from a basketball family, with his brother (Lu’Cye) playing at Charlotte and Minnesota and his father (Lucas) being the coach at Minnesota Prep.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: 30 Games (25 Starts) 14 PPG - 2.4 RPG - 3.6 APG
2025-26 Percentages (2PT/3PT/FT): 44% - 38.5% - 83.3%
2025-26 Region XIV 2nd Team All-Region
G: Waqo Tessema - Cleveland State
Joining Amont’e Allen Johnson as guards with both D1 and JUCO experience is Cleveland State transfer Waqo Tessema. Tessema would end up redshirting in his D1 season at Cleveland State after averaging 9.9 PPG in his sophomore season at Panola College.
Tessema has had a history of success even before his JUCO career. During his HS career, Tessema was one of the best players in Canada, averaging 25 PPG in his senior season.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2024-25 Stats: 35 Games (28 Starts) 9.9 PPG - 2.1 RPG - 2.7 APG
2024-25 Percentages (2PT/3PT/FT): 39.1% - 40.5% - 71.4%
G: Ries Naugle - Bloomsburg (D2)
After a solid freshman season at Bloomsburg State, Ries Naugle now heads to Spartanburg. In his freshman season at Bloomsburg State, Naugle averaged 11.9 PPG, 2.6 RPG, and 2.1 APG, starting 26 of his 27 total appearances a season ago.
Ries Naugle provides useful efficiency to a guard room that lacks it, especially in 2PT shooting. Naugle shot 52.7% from in the arc last season at Bloomsburg. Naugle also saw his efficiency carry into his next level, including leading his team in scoring against St. Bonaventure.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: 27 Games (26 Starts) 11.9 PPG - 2.6 RPG - 2.1 APG
2025-26 Percentages (2PT/3PT/FT): 52.7% - 37.2% - 84.2%
2025-26 PSAC Scholar Athlete
G/W: Derek Edmond - Southwestern CC (JUCO)
The leading scorer in all of 3C2A competition last season, Derek Edmond joins USC Upstate. Last season at Southwestern CC, Derek Edmond led California JUCO players with an outstanding 24.5 PPG along with 6.8 RPG and 2.5 APG. Edmond showed his scoring ability with 47 points against Grossmont, helping his team secure a 116-82 win.
Derek Edmond now joins a long list of 3C2A alumni at the D1 level, including Leo Ricketts, Joe Grahovec and Dominique Daniels. Upstate itself has had success with the 3C2A, including Isaiah Skinner; Edmond also joins fellow 3C2A alum Alexandro Perotti this season at Upstate.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: 29 Games (27 Starts) 24.5 PPG - 6.8 RPG - 2.5 APG
2025-26 Percentages (2PT/3PT/FT): 51.3% - 33.6% - 82.8%
2025-26 3C2A Leading Scorer (24.5 PPG)
2025-26 3C2A First Team All-League
G/W: KeJuan Payne - Northern Oklahoma - Enid (JUCO)
After an Elite 8 appearance for Northern Oklahoma Enid last season, KeJuan Payne hopes to replicate that success at Upstate. Last season at Northern Oklahoma Enid, Payne averaged 14.6 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 1.7 APG, helping lead his team to an Elite 8 Appearance in the NJCAA Tournament.
Last season, Payne led his team in scoring with 14.6 PPG, but he averaged an even higher 17 PPG in the regular season. USC Upstate has excelled with elite scoring guards and wings like Mister Dean and Mason Bendinger in years past.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: 30 Games (30 Starts) 14.6 PPG - 4.9 RPG - 1.7 APG
2025-26 Percentages (2PT/3PT/FT): 52% - 30.6% - 70.6%
2025-26 All-Region 2 Honorable Mention
G/W: Zachary Johnson - UCF
After being a part of an NCAA tournament team last season, Zachary Johnson is hoping for more production with a drop in level. As a freshman at UCF, Johnson appeared in only 7 games, taking one shot attempt and grabbing two rebounds.
Zachary Johnson played high school basketball at IVGreatness Academy in Southern Pines, NC, averaging 30 PPG, 6 RPG, and 5 APG. Zach Johnson was the first homeschooled D1 commit in NC History.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: 7 Games (0 Starts) 0 PPG - 0.3 RPG - 0 APG
G/W: David Tubek - UTEP
After two years at Seton Hall and one season at UTEP, David Tubek transfers to USC Upstate with solid D1 experience. Tubek averaged 3.3 PPG and 2 RPG in 12 games for UTEP last season. In Tubek’s 2 previous seasons at Seton Hall, he played in 41 total games, including 2 starts.
Coming out of High School, David Tubek was a Top 350 recruit with multiple Top 25 programs in the country extending offers. Marty Richter got a ton of talent out of Learic Davis, another elite recruit, and has another one with similar potential.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: 12 Games (0 Starts) 3.3 PPG - 2 RPG - 0.3 APG
2025-26 Percentages (2PT/3PT/FT): 40% - 33.3% - 62.5%
2x Letter Winner at Seton Hall
F: Miles Webb - Delaware State
Miles Webb, after a breakout season at Delaware State last year, now heads to USC Upstate. Last season at Delaware State, Webb averaged 9.5 PPG and 5.9 RPG. Before Delaware State, Webb spent 3 seasons as a role player at St. Francis, including making the tournament in 24-25.
Last season, Webb thrived on the defensive end and on the glass. Last season, Webb ranked in the 75th percentile in DRAPM and the 90th percentile in DRB Percentage.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: 26 Games (20 Starts) 9.5 PPG - 5.9 RPG - 0.7 APG
2025-26 Percentages (2PT/3PT/FT): 58.9% - 45% - 49%
F: Alessandro Perotti - Wofford
In what may be the closest transfer move of the offseason, Alessandro Perotti moves 4.4 miles from Wofford to USC Upstate. Last season, Perotti didn’t register any action for the Terriers but averaged a double-double at Cuesta College in the 3C2A.
Along with strong JUCO experience in the 3C2A, Perotti also brings professional and national team experience. Perotti played for B Luiss Roma and the Italian National Team at the U15, U16, and U17 levels.
Most Recent Player Stats + Awards:
2025-26 Stats: Redshirted
The Freshmen:
G/W: Joe Baldwin - Spire Academy (OH)
Despite coming the traditional HS/Prep route, Joe Baldwin of Spire Academy has an international flair, being born in Brisbane, Australia. Baldwin also played at another elite prep school, DME Academy, before making the move to Spire.
Baldwin also played on an elite AAU team in 17U Austin Rivers Elite. Baldwin, along with 10 other D1 commits, was part of the team that went 14-4 during 3SSB play.
HS Accolades/Recruiting Info:
Ranked “Watchlist” Player by PrepHoops
F: Andrej Radivojevic - CNS Suisse
Joining USC Upstate after playing 2 seasons at CNS Suisse of the Switzerland 2nd Division is Andrej Radivojevic. Last season for CNS Suisse, Radivojevic averaged 10.8 PPG and 8 RPG. In his first season at CNS Suisse, Radivojevic averaged a respectable 7.1 PPG and 5.5 RPG in 21 games.
Radivojevic also played for the Swiss Youth National team, including during the U19 WC. During that U19 WC, Radivojevic averaged 3 PPG and 3.7 RPG but really showed in the 2 games where he got the most action. Radivojevic had 5 points and 6 rebounds against Jordan and 4 points and 4 rebounds against Canada, both with limited minutes.
HS Accolades/Recruiting Info:
Played for the Swiss U18 and U19 National Teams
Overall Thoughts:
Last season, USC Upstate took a leap from Year 1 to Year 2 in Marty Richter’s tenure. In Year 1, Upstate went 6-26 and only picked up 2 Big South wins and 3 D1 wins total. In Year 2, Upstate passed that total with 6 wins before entering conference play, while more than doubling their conference wins from last season to 5. One thing stayed the same for Upstate across both seasons: losing to Gardner-Webb in the First Round of the Big South tournament.
Now entering Year 3, USC Upstate returns the fewest minutes in the Big South with only 7.4% of minutes returning from last season. Despite that fact, Marty Richter does return two key starters from last season: Learic Davis and Coen Collier; joining them as the third returner is guard CJ Rich. In Marty Richter fashion, USC Upstate leans on JUCO talent, with 4 players coming straight from JUCOs and two D1 players who redshirted last season after playing at JUCOs. Marty Richter also added players with a ton of raw talent: 2 former P5 transfers, a professional from Europe, a very solid D2 freshman, and a freshman with elite HS and Prep experience.
The guard for USC Upstate is par for the course during Marty Richter’s tenure. You have two point guards who played on contending NJCAA Tournament teams, with time also spent at the D1 level: Waqo Tessema and Amont’e Allen Johnson. Marty Richter also brings in 3 other JUCO guards, all averaging over 14 PPG: Jalyn Patterson, Derek Edmond, and KeJuan Payne. Adding depth are CJ Rich, Noah Mvula, and Ries Naugle, who come in after a strong freshman season at Bloomsburg State.
The forward group for Upstate is where this team stands out. Learic Davis returns after a strong season, averaging 8.3 PPG and 4.6 RPG last season. Miles Webb enters after averaging over 9 PPG at Delaware State last season, after playing at St. Francis and making the NCAA Tournament. The upside is where Upstate could really exceed expectations this season. USC Upstate brings in two former HM commits: David Tubek, a Top 350 commit to Seton Hall, who played well when he got time there. The other HM commit is Zach Johnson, who averaged over 30 PPG as a homeschooled player but saw limited action at UCF last season. Rounding out the forwards is Joe Baldwin from IMG Academy, who brings serious AAU and Prep Experience with IMG, DME, and Austin Rivers Elite seasons under his belt.
The big man spot in the frontcourt is a big question mark, as the frontcourt, has a ton of JUCO talent but not much proven D1 production. Upstate does return Coen Collier after Collier made 30 appearances and 9 starts and finished 2nd on the team in blocks but didn’t put up offensive efficiency to his junior college numbers. Alessandro Perotti comes from crosstown rival Wofford after being ineligible last season, but he averaged a double-double in his junior college experience and has overseas professional experience. Their final big man, much like Perotti, comes with overseas experience: Andrej Radivojevic. Radivojevic spent two seasons in Switzerland’s 2nd Division and played for the Swiss National Team at the U19 WC.
Last season, Marty Richter took a massive jump from Year 1 to Year 2, more than doubling his wins from the season prior. On paper, this roster looks like another step in the right direction for Upstate in Year 3. The guard core is full of players with either elite team experience or elite scoring track records; the forwards have a ton of raw talent but also proven commodities, and the big men have professional experience and very solid careers stats. Upstate takes a step in the right direction, but not to the extent we saw last season, and ultimately finishes with a with a better record than last season but around the same spot in the standings.