by Caroline McCarthy & Kelly Kennedy, Sports Editor & Asst. Social Media Editor

Manhattan College men’s basketball has a seasoned team ripe with experience heading into the 2021-2022 season. The Jaspers started their season strong with a 99-42 win over Manhattanville College, and a nail biting down-to-the-wire 66- 60 win against Fordham University this Friday, Nov. 12.

With 10 seniors and only six underclassmen, the team dominates in size and continuity. The team wasted no time forming a chemistry that allows them to play as a unit, especially as most players have played together before the start of the 2021-2022 season.

“The normal blueprint of how teams were … it really changed just because of COVID. So, guys who are seniors might still have two years of eligibility, or a junior may have three — it’s really changed,” head coach Steve Masiello said.

Though most faces look familiar, the Jaspers have added to their squad with senior transfer players Jose Perez from Marquette University and Josh Roberts from St. John’s University. Fans already know the pair because of the intensity they bring to games. Roberts’ high-flying dunks energize the crowd and Perez’s animated defense brings the whole crowd to their feet.

“We’re excited to have fans back students, mostly most importantly cheerleaders, dance and band,” said Masiello. “So really excited just to have that kind of fan engagement and have that energy back in the building that we think makes this place so special.”

With 10 seniors and a short bench of underclassmen, some might think the Jaspers are already thinking towards next year, but because of NCAA COVID-19 rules, most seniors are eligible to return for an additional season, allowing the Jaspers to focus on the now, rather than worry about the future of the program.

“It’s a good thing and a bad thing, because you don’t know what’s going to happen. So I might move on to play professionally and some might go into the real world,” said Masiello. “Some might come back. We want them all back. But at the end of the day, you don’t know that right now.”

Fans are finally back in Draddy and are excited to be a part of the action. Here’s who they can expect to see on the court.

Returning Players

0 Warren Williams – 6’9” Senior Forward

Originally from Jamaica, Williams brings many skills to the table thanks to his shooting range and athletic spirit. He was put on the MAAC All-Rookie Team in his freshman 2018 – 2019 season and named All- MAAC Third Team during his junior 2020-2021 season. Williams also represented Jamaica in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023-World Qualifiers with eight points, 12 rebounds and five assists.

1 Matthew Glassman – 6’0” Senior Guard

Glassman was a 2020-2021 MAAC All-Academic Team Honoree, and is expected to play an important role this season as a senior leading the team. As a first-year scholarship student, Glassman will continue to serve the program from off the court as well.

2 Romar Reid – 6’2” Junior Guard

Reid averaged 1.8 points per game in the 2020-2021 season and continues as a key player for Manhattan with an average of 2 points per game so far in the 2021-2022 season.

3 Ant Nelson – 6’4” Senior Guard

Nelson, a 2020 transfer from Seton Hall is expected to lead the Jaspers in terms of skill and experience during his first regular season at Manhattan College. Coming from a Big East school the Jaspers can expect him to heighten their level of intensity. Nelson was named All-MAAC Third Team during his premiere 2020-2021 season with the Jaspers.

4 Samir Stewart – 6’0” Senior Guard

Stewart was named one of the top shooters in the MAAC at the end of his freshman year. Sophomore year he averaged 8.4 points per game and was named on the the top long- range shooters in the MAAC during his junior campaign.

5 Samba Diallo – 6’7” Senior Forward

Diallo is a key player to the Jaspers’ offensive with a stellar rebound record. After spending his first two seasons as a player for the University of Massachusetts and then transferring to Manhattan, Diallo knows the game well and is expected to lead the team in his final season.

10 Adam Cisse – 6’10” Junior Forward

Another Bronx native, Cisse is a key player in Manhattan’s offense. In his freshman year Cisse averaged 0.6 points per game and 0.8 rebounds per game. This season, Adam is averaging 2 points per game.

11 Daniel Schreier – 6’9” Junior Forward

Schreier was named a 2020-2021 MAAC All-Academic Team Honoree. After a stellar freshman year record that cooled off last season, Shreier needs to step up to lead the Jaspers offense.

24 Marques Watson – 6’5” Senior Guard

Having started his career at Iowa Western Community College and transferring to Miami Dade College, Manhattan College is Watson’s third school. Watson averaged 4.3 points per game in his junior year and continues to be an asset for Manhattan offense.

30 Elijah Buchanan – 6’5” Senior Guard

Buchanan played in all 32 games of his freshman year at Manhattan, and continues to be an essential backbone of the team. In his sophomore year he averaged 7.4 points per games, and by his junior campaign he was one of the top all-around players in the MAAC, averaging 11.4 points per game. Most recently, he was named MVP of Manhattan College’s victory against Fordham in the Battle of the Bronx.

55 Nick Brennen – 6’5” Senior Guard

Brennen transferred to Manhattan College from Harcum College in 2020. During his junior year at Manhattan, Brennen averaged 1.5 points per game and nearly two rebounds per game.

15 Jose Perez – 6’5” Senior Forward

Perez, a native to the Bronx, is a transfer from Marquette University and is expected to be a key scorer for the Jaspers this season. Coming from a Big East school, Perez is expected to bring a seasoned level of training and experience to the squad.

23 Josh Roberts – 6’9” Senior Forward

Rober ts, originally from Troy, Alabama spent his first three years at St. John’s Uni- versity in Queens. Roberts was a standout from the beginning of his career and is new aver- aging 8.8 points per game for the Jaspers.

Newcomers:

Aryan Arora, Daniel Hackett and George Hyland are all freshman walk-ons. With the uncertainty of returning players and ample room to grow in the program, this will be their season to prove their spot as a Jasper by being team players.