The mens’ club basketball team. @MU_CLUBBASKETBALL / INSTAGRAM
Emmanouel Sofillas, Managing Editor
Manhattan University is launching a men’s club basketball team with goals of early wins, stronger chemistry and a higher profile. In their first season, the team already has its eyes set on regional competition.
“Our main goal this season is to go undefeated, build strong chemistry and represent Manhattan University every time we play,” Tyler Dunn said.
Players set a postseason appearance as the first-year benchmark.
“Success for the team this year is making it to regionals,” Dunn said. “It’s our first season as a program, and that’s the tournament we’re aiming for.”
Chayce Taylor described the season as a foundation-setting effort focused on cohesion and steady improvement.
“To build chemistry as a team and set the tone overall for what this program can be,” Taylor said. “I think we have a lot of talent, so it’s important that we learn how to put it together…Seeing the growth as a group — our effort and teamwork improves each game.”
Charles Kirote emphasized that culture and togetherness will weigh alongside results, noting urgency in his final season with the club.
“I would define team success not just through the wins but how we come together as a team and build chemistry on and off the court,” Kirote said. “My main goals this season are to grow closer with these guys. And being that this will be my only season with the club basketball team, I want to win and keep on winning.”
Rain Ricafort linked team development with personal scoring ambitions and a target for cohesion by spring.
“My main goals for this first season together as a team is to give my best effort in helping this team develop into an all-around threat and to be one of the leading scorers,” Ricafort said. “Finishing the season as a fully developed team where everyone is able to play off each other well and our team chemistry is up to par.”
Taylor outlined postseason aspirations beyond a regional berth.
“We’re shooting for stars and aiming for the moon,” Taylor said. “We hope to make a deep postseason run and compete for a national title.”
The team isn’t discounting their regular season goals, though. Ricafort commented on hopes for an undefeated season prior to heading off to regionals.
“I would definitely love for our team to go undefeated in the regular season since we are already at a disadvantage due to the start of our season starting later than others,” Ricafort said.
Kirote kept the focus narrow to immediate results, saying that he’s looking to put one foot in front of the other and take the season one game and win at a time.
Dunn spoke to the fact that early practices have stressed energy and support.
“The team has come together great during practice,” Dunn said. “We uplift each other in everything we do, and even if someone messes up, we’re there for each other and keep the energy positive.”
So far, Taylor says, sessions have centered on learning tendencies and system buy-in.
“We’ve been pushing each other a lot as a team,” Taylor said. “The energy is good and everyone’s learning each other’s style of play as well as buying into our system.”
The primary hurdle the team has been running into thus far is with conditioning.
“The only real challenge has been conditioning,” Dunn said. “But that’s something we can get through easily as long as we keep practicing and putting in the work.”
The team has also been working to schedule practices not only around team members’ personal schedules, but the free-time in Draddy Gymnasium, which is the same court used by the DI teams. Kirote said that players are supplementing with individual work because of this.
“Really just finding set times to practice, but we all find time to get our own work in, whether that be hoops or a proper workout in the gym,” Kirote said.
Ricafort discussed the same point, focusing on limited facility access and efficient practices when the team is able to schedule time inside the gym.
“We haven’t been able to have consistent practice times during each week due to Draddy being occupied almost every day, but when we are able to have practice we put in efficient work,” Ricafort said.
Taylor said role definition remains fluid, as the team’s roster is diverse.
“A lot of our guys are older so it means they haven’t played organized basketball in quite a while, so we’re just learning how to be one well-powered machine,” Taylor said.
Dunn said returning to structured play and team bonds motivated his decision to join. “What inspired me to join the team was wanting to play basketball under the whistle again and be part of a team,” Dunn said. “I wanted to build bonds and grow with my teammates.”
Astacio said he is seeking competitive wins with friends and a transition from streetball to organized play.
“I just wanted to win some games with my friends and keep getting better,” Astacio said. “I also wanted to see how my streetball skills translate into organized basketball.”
As for Taylor, being a part of the team allows him to further represent MU while reigniting his passion for the sport.
“For me it’s the love of the game and the chance to represent my school, while doing something I’m extremely passionate about,” Taylor said.
The creation of a level between intramurals and DI made the move to the club team an easy choice for many on the team, including Kirote.
“The previous three years here at Manhattan, I’ve done intramural basketball,” Kirote said. “So when I found out we were making the switch to club I was naturally excited and jumped at the opportunity to play.”
Ricafort said he missed high school and AAU competition and wanted a comparable college challenge.
“I joined the basketball team because I missed the competitiveness of high school basketball and AAU basketball,” Ricafort said. “I wanted to experience a similar amount of competitiveness in college as well.”
Members of the team are looking to set personal goals this season as well, centered around development and trust.
“Individually, I hope to grow as a player and as a teammate,” Dunn said. “As a team, I just want us to keep getting closer because teams with great chemistry and trust in each other always go far.”
Astacio tied his season goals to leadership while aiming to deepen team bonds.
“Individually, I want to become more of a leader and keep learning the game,” Astacio said. “As a team, I want us to reach our full potential and even go past that. I want us to become more than just teammates — more like brothers.”
Taylor said he is targeting smarter, more consistent play and long-term program building.
“I hope to use this opportunity to become a college basketball player in the future,” Taylor said. “Separately I hope to become a smarter and more consistent player … and to just build a solid foundation for the program I’ll be a part of in the coming years.”
As for Kirote, he’s focused on leadership development that will extend beyond the sport and weekly practices on the court.
“This season I look to grow more as a leader as this is a trait that will benefit me for the rest of my life,” Kirote said. “And again I hope to grow alongside my guys in everything whether that be on or off the court.”