The atmosphere in Rochester Hills shifted the moment the final buzzer sounded on that heartbreaking 85-84 loss to Northern Kentucky. In the modern era of college athletics, the “offseason” no longer begins with a slow period of reflection; it begins with a sprint toward the exit.
For the Golden Grizzlies, the speed of this year’s roster turnover has been jarring. Players moved quickly to make decisions about their futures, and almost immediately, the floodgates opened for the transfer portal.
As it stands today, Greg Kampe is staring at a total program reset. Between five key graduations and five portal entries, the 2026-27 squad is currently a massive wild card. While we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of recruitment targets next week, this article serves as a definitive audit of where the roster stands right now — and the context surrounding the departures.
The departure news: A mix of regression and misfits
While the graduation of the senior class was expected, the five names entering the transfer portal tell the story of a season that grew increasingly difficult as conference play wore on. This wasn’t just about players seeking NIL opportunities; it was about fit, health and a clear physical gap.
Isaac Garrett (Junior): Perhaps the most “surprising but not surprising” entry. Garrett flashed high-major potential early in the season, but his efficiency dwindled as the year progressed. The turning point was the rivalry game against Detroit Mercy, where he was benched for the final minutes. That loss of trust in a high-leverage moment seemed to be the catalyst for his decision to seek a fresh start.
Khoi Thurmon (Junior): Thurmon was brought in to be that secondary spark, but he never fit the “second point guard” mold the staff envisioned off the bench. His struggles to manage the offense led to an over-reliance on the starters and ultimately made his departure a logical conclusion for both sides.
Nate Deer (Senior): A season defined entirely by what-ifs. Sidelined by injuries for nearly the whole year, Deer’s fit in the Oakland system was never truly explored. Without enough tape to determine whether he could be a long-term piece, he enters the portal with a clean slate elsewhere.
MJ & Donny Yeager (Freshmen): While Donny redshirted and did not see a single minute this season, his twin, MJ, showed flashes of being a decent prospect. But the reality of Division I physicality hit hard. Both are relatively small guards who lack the explosiveness and physical frame that allowed players like Brody Robinson to overcome a lack of height. They likely need years of physical development and consistent minutes to reach a high D-I level, making a move to a strong D-II or lower D-I program — where they can get 30 minutes a night — the best path for their growth.
The graduates: Losing the veteran heartbeat
We cannot overlook the experience gap created by the outgoing seniors. These five players didn’t just provide stats; they provided the culture that has kept Oakland in the Horizon League conversation.
Brody Robinson: The A+ engine. His ability to facilitate and get to the line kept the offense afloat at times.
Tuburu Naivalurua: A consistent paint threat and veteran presence.
Michael Houge: The necessary muscle in the paint.
Brett White II: A constant 3-and-D presence and a vital leader off the bench.
Ziare Wells: An athletic wing with a high motor and excellent rebounding instincts.
The “Foundation Five”: Who is staying?
With 10 players heading for the exit, the remaining roster is a skeletal crew of five returners. But there is a legitimate reason for optimism regarding the ceiling of this group.
The Mashhour brothers: The most intriguing development is the elevation of Nassim Mashhour. During his sophomore year — despite missing time with a knee injury — he averaged 9.3 points, 1.3 assists and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 37.7% from three on 5.3 attempts per game. We saw flashes of his ceiling when he caught fire against Purdue; if he can channel that consistently, he’s an All-League caliber wing with real two-way upside.
Beside him is Hamoudy Mashhour, coming off a redshirt year. Hamoudy is an athletic combo guard who can really shoot it, and his debut is arguably the most anticipated aspect of next season’s rotation.
William Kassi: A fascinating prospect due to his length, mobility and frame. If he adds muscle, he could become a wildcard scoring option next season.
Camden Thompson: A raw, two-sport athlete with elite athleticism. His summer development will determine whether he can handle high-leverage frontcourt minutes.
Warren Marshall IV: A returning prospect due for a breakout. He came into his own late in the season, providing a consistent two-way presence — especially defensively. His willingness to hustle, dive for loose balls and buy into the zone will be essential.
The new blood: Incoming recruits
To help bridge the athleticism gap, Oakland has two key additions who address specific needs left by departing veterans and portal exits.
Nate Ahner (JUCO): A standout from the College of Southern Idaho who brings wing athleticism and scoring punch. His JUCO experience should translate immediately.
Deuce Hamilton (HS): The son of NBA legend and Detroit Pistons icon Richard “Rip” Hamilton. Beyond the name recognition, Deuce brings a 6-foot-5 frame and a professional pedigree to the guard/wing spot.
Final thoughts
This roster is currently in a state of flux, but the Foundation Five offers a glimmer of hope. The key will be how Greg Kampe uses the remaining scholarship spots to fill the rebounding, floor-spacing and floor-general voids left by the departures — and the existing weaknesses.