PORTLAND, Ore. – The Central Washington University Men's Basketball Team was selected to finish first this season in the GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll, the conference office announced Thursday afternoon.
 
The Wildcats finished the regular season last year in first place with a 14-4 conference record and 22-10 overall. CWU opened the GNAC playoffs with a double-overtime win over Montana State Billings 101-100 but ran out of steam in the championship game–falling to Seattle Pacific 61-72. The 'Cats still earned a spot in the NCAA Division II Tournament and won their first match over the third-seeded Chico State 82-79. The Crimson and Black then fell in the second round to the eventual national runner-up in Cal State Dominguez Hills 65-77 to finish the season.
 
Central welcomes eight new members to the program including five transfers and three freshmen. Senior-transfer Demetrus Johnson II enters the program after a year at the University of West Georgia, while junior-transfer Michael Ojo and sophomore-transfer Bralyn Smith found their way to the 'Burg through Siena University. Chae Haynes and Jalen Child comes into CWU after their time in the NWAC with Haynes coming from Tacoma Community College and Childs from Mt. Hood Community College. Two players from Western Washington: Aman Sterling of Inglemoor HS and Junior Kagarabi of Shorecrest HS join the squad, while Garrett Marrs of Ellensburg HS remains close to home as all three are set to begin their freshmen seasons.
 
The Crimson and Black saw seven players from last year's squad return for this season, including 2024-25 GNAC All-Conference Honorable Mention Jordan Clark, who enters his junior year for the program. Alongside him is Bradley Swillie, Eli Williams, Jamari Harris, and Calvin Sisk, who all got regular playing time last season. While Harry Davies and Luke Westerfield look to see playing time after redshirting last year.
 
2025-26 GNAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
Rank      Team (1st Place Votes)                  Points          2024-25 Record             2024-25 GNAC Record (Finish)
1              Central Washington (6)                   90                           22-10                                           14-4 (1st)
2              Northwest Nazarene (2)                 85                             20-8                                            13-5 (2nd)
3              Montana State Billings (1)             75                           21-12                                          11-7 (T3rd)
T4           Western Washington (1)                 67                           19-10                                          11-7 (T3rd)
T4           Saint Martin's                                      67                           19-12                                           8-10 (7th)
6              Alaska Anchorage                             50                           12-19                                          5-13 (T8th)
7              Seattle Pacific                                    43                           18-15                                          11-7 (T3rd)
8              Alaska                                                   39                           14-14                                           10-8 (6th)
9              Simon Fraser                                      20                             9-19                                            5-13 (9th)
10           Western Oregon                                 14                             5-23                                           2-16 (10th)
 
Read the full GNAC story HERE