The 2025-26 Oakland men’s basketball campaign was a season of profound statistical contrast. While the offense remained a productive component of the team’s identity, the defensive end told a different story, ranking 343rd nationally and placing the program in the bottom 25. This defensive disconnect ultimately defined the 16-16 record, as high-level individual scoring was frequently neutralized by systemic lapses on the other end. The following is a blunt, data-driven assessment of every player on the roster who saw the floor this year, providing an unfiltered look at the contributions that shaped the season.

The Elite Backcourt Engine
Brody Robinson (#55) | Senior | Grade: A+
Robinson was a force from day one, serving as the vocal leader and the undeniable engine of the Oakland offense. He solidified his status as one of the premier facilitators in the Horizon League, a high-IQ player who would be a coach’s dream for any top-five conference program. Despite standing 5-foot-11, his muscular frame and elite twitch allowed him to play with extreme physicality on both ends.

He was particularly adept at manipulating defenders to get to the free-throw line, finishing the season ranked top 60 nationally in free-throw rate. Statistical indicators back up his impact: a 120.3 offensive rating and an elite 31.4% assist rate. By the midway point of the first half in nearly every contest, the physical toll of his workload was visible, yet he continued to feed the post and find shooters like Brett White II with precision.

While his size contributed to a 47.9% finishing rate at the rim and struggles against longer defenders, his 247 free-throw attempts proved he was the most difficult cover in the conference. He remained the heartbeat of the team, carrying an immense burden for nearly 40 minutes a night while maintaining his role as a coach on the floor.

The Frontcourt Narrative
Tuburu Naivalurua (#12) | Senior | Grade: B+
Naivalurua delivered a nuanced season defined by high-level interior scoring and defensive growing pains. Offensively, he possessed a sophisticated bag in the paint, using his strength to bump off defenders and finish through contact. He was an elite back-to-the-basket threat, shooting 63.4% at the rim and posting a 127.7 offensive rating in conference play.

Defensively, the zone often placed him in disadvantageous positions where his timing faltered. He frequently played with his hands down in the dunker spot, making him a target for opposing offenses. Despite these flaws, he improved late in the year, often performing as the most impactful player on the court during his late-season surge.

Isaac Garrett (#32) | Senior | Grade: B
Garrett’s season was a tale of two halves. He opened the year with dominant performances against national contenders like Houston and Michigan, but his motor became inconsistent as the season progressed. Defensively, he lacked the vertical pop and athleticism required for consistent rim protection or elite rebounding.

This inconsistency eventually led to a loss of coaching trust, most notably in a January matchup against Detroit Mercy where he was subbed out with four minutes remaining and did not return. While capable early on, his inability to stretch the floor or pass effectively out of double teams made him predictable for conference opponents.

Michael Houge (#6) | Graduate | Grade: C+
Houge was an efficient interior finisher, but his defensive shortcomings were a major factor in the team’s low national defensive rating. He was consistently caught out of position in the zone and routinely late on closeouts, often leaving corner shooters open. His indecisiveness contributed to numerous negative defensive sequences.

Offensively, he averaged double figures and shot 53%, but his production cratered against top-100 competition, where his turnover rate spiked to 34.1%. His -3.9 box plus-minus reflected the team’s struggles to maintain efficiency during his minutes.

Defensive Grit and the Bench Spark
Ziare Wells (#2) | Senior | Grade: B-
Wells was the defensive heartbeat of the roster and a vital senior role player. In a season defined by defensive lapses, he provided the necessary grit often absent from the starting rotation. He led the team with 43 steals, showcasing an elite ability to disrupt passing lanes and generate transition opportunities.

Offensively, he contributed 9.9 points per game, offering steady scoring when the primary stars needed rest. His impact was felt most on the end of the floor where the team struggled most.

Brett White II (#10) | Senior | Grade: B
White was a microwave off the bench whose shooting prevented several potential blowouts. He embraced his role as a pure spacer, with all of his made threes coming off assists. While he offered little in terms of shot creation or defense, his ability to hit high-difficulty threes was essential to the team’s spacing.

He finished with a 119.2 offensive rating, proving he was one of the most reliable weapons when the ball found him on the wing.

Warren Marshall IV (#13) | Redshirt Freshman | Grade: B-
Marshall’s impact came from pure energy and hustle. He was the team’s most reliable transition defender and a constant source of effort plays. His athleticism was elite, reflected in a perfect 6-for-6 mark on dunks and a 75% finishing rate at the rim.

Offensively, he remains raw due to a slow release that allows defenders to recover. Even so, his defensive upside and locked-in mentality made him more impactful than several veterans.

Developmental Evaluations and Fit
Khoi Thurmon (#21) | Junior | Grade: D+
Thurmon struggled to find a fit and was largely a non-factor in high-stakes environments. Against top-100 opponents, he posted a -18.5 box plus-minus. His inability to provide relief for Robinson forced the senior guard into unsustainable minute loads.

With a 40.8% finishing rate at the rim and 20% from deep, his offensive struggles often left the team at a disadvantage, and he struggled defensively against smaller guards.

MJ Yeager (#5) | Freshman | Grade: C-
Yeager showed flashes of potential, but his lack of physical development was a major hurdle. While similar in height to Robinson, he lacked the strength to absorb contact at the Division I level. He appeared outpaced in high-stakes environments where size and functional strength were essential.

A developmental route through JUCO or Division II may help him build the necessary frame and confidence until he grows into his skill set.

Incomplete and Redshirt Status
Nassim Mashhour opened the season with high energy and effective shooting, but an early injury derailed his year. His absence was felt significantly as the season progressed.

Nate Deer provided veteran leadership in practice but saw insufficient game action for a formal grade.

The redshirt trio of Hamoudy Mashhour, Donny Yeager and William Kassi spent the year in developmental roles, focusing on strength and conditioning ahead of major roster turnover in 2026-27.