If you walked into the Donald L. Tucker Center this season expecting to see Leonard Hamilton’s familiar shadow on the sideline, you probably did a double-take. For the first time in over two decades, Hamilton isn’t the one calling the shots. It’s Luke Loucks. And honestly? The Florida State basketball roster he’s built looks like a total pivot from the "New Blood" era we all got used to.
The 2025-26 season has been a whirlwind. Gone are the days of having fifteen guys who are all 6'7" and can switch everything. Don't get me wrong, there’s still length, but the vibe is different. Loucks, who was a legend on that 2012 ACC Championship team, brought in a mix of veteran transfer portal "mercenaries" and international wildcards. It’s a roster built for the modern, fast-paced game, not just a defensive grind-fest.
The Backcourt: Scoring and Speed
You can't talk about this team without starting with Robert McCray V. He’s a senior who came over from Jacksonville, and the dude is basically a microwave. He’s been averaging nearly 14 points a game, but it’s his vision that’s caught everyone off guard. Pairing him with Kobe MaGee, the Drexel transfer, gives FSU a backcourt that actually values the three-point line.
Seriously. FSU is actually shooting the ball well this year. It feels weird to say.
Then you have the young guys. Martin Somerville is a name you’ve gotta remember. He’s a sophomore who spent time at UMass Lowell before coming home to the ACC. He’s got that "it" factor—he’s shifty, doesn't rattle easily, and Loucks has basically given him the green light to play free.
The freshmen are fun, too. Cam Miles and Maximo Garcia-Plata (all the way from Madrid) bring a level of skill that usually takes years to develop in Hamilton’s old system. Garcia-Plata, in particular, has that European flair. He’s not the fastest guy on the court, but he knows where everyone is before they even get there.
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The Frontcourt: Length Meets Logic
We still have the "Twin Towers" energy, but it’s more mobile now. Chauncey Wiggins, the Clemson transfer, has been a godsend. At 6'10", he’s a senior who knows how to win in the ACC. He’s not just a rim protector; he’s a stretch-four who forces opposing centers to leave the paint. That opens up everything for Lajae Jones, who is basically a 6'7" Swiss Army knife.
Check out the main rotation guys in the frontcourt right now:
- Chauncey Wiggins (Sr.): The anchor. Averages 13 points and can hit the trail three.
- Shahid Muhammad (Sr.): At 6'11", he’s the traditional rim protector Loucks kept from the old blueprint.
- Alex Steen (Sr.): A high-motor forward from Florida Southern who just outworks everyone.
- Alier Maluk (So.): The 7-footer with a massive ceiling. He's still raw, but the flashes are terrifying.
It's a lot of seniors. That was clearly the plan—get old and stay old. In the era of the transfer portal, Loucks decided he didn't want to wait three years for guys to develop. He wanted players who have already played 100 college games.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Roster
Most fans thought FSU would fall off a cliff once Hamilton retired. They figured the recruiting would tank. Instead, the Florida State basketball roster actually improved in terms of pure offensive efficiency.
People also assume Loucks is just running a "Hamilton Lite" system. He isn't. While they still press and use their length, the offensive sets are much more NBA-influenced. That makes sense, right? Loucks spent time on the Golden State Warriors staff. You can see the DNA of that "read and react" style in how Thomas Bassong and AJ Swinton move without the ball.
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There's a level of spacing here that FSU hasn't had since the 2019-20 season that got cut short. They aren't just trying to out-athlete you; they're trying to out-skill you.
The Impact of the Transfer Portal
Let's be real: this team is a product of the portal. Almost every major contributor started their career somewhere else.
- Robert McCray V (Jacksonville)
- Chauncey Wiggins (Clemson)
- Lajae Jones (St. Bonaventure)
- Kobe MaGee (Drexel)
- Alex Steen (Florida Southern)
It's a collection of guys who were "stars" at smaller schools or solid rotation pieces at big schools and wanted a bigger stage. It’s working because Loucks chose personalities that fit the "Unconquered" culture. They play with a chip on their shoulder.
The Hard Truths
It hasn't been all sunshine and garnets. The team has struggled with consistency, as seen in that tough blowout loss to NC State recently. When you rely on so many new pieces, the chemistry can occasionally fizzle out. They also lack a true, dominant "go-to" guy in the post. Shahid Muhammad and Alier Maluk are great, but they aren't guys you dump the ball into for an easy bucket every time.
Also, the depth isn't quite what it used to be. FSU used to play 11 or 12 guys deep. Now, it's a tight 8 or 9-man rotation. If foul trouble hits Wiggins or McCray, things get dicey fast.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the Noles this season, keep an eye on these specific trends:
- Watch the 3PT Percentage: If FSU stays above 34% as a team, they are an NCAA Tournament lock. If they dip into the 20s like years past, the "Loucks Effect" is just a mirage.
- Somerville’s Usage: As the season progresses, expect Martin Somerville to take more of the ball-handling duties away from the seniors. He is the future of the program.
- Defensive Rebounding: This is the team's Achilles heel. They are long but sometimes lack the bulk to box out the bruisers in the ACC. If they lose the rebounding battle by double digits, they lose the game.
The Florida State basketball roster is in a transition phase, but it's a transition that looks ahead rather than clinging to the past. Whether Loucks can return them to the Top 10 remains to be seen, but the entertainment value has certainly returned to Tallahassee.
For the rest of the season, pay attention to how the international freshmen like Bassong and Garcia-Plata integrate. Their development over the next two months will determine if FSU is a "one-and-done" portal team or if they're building something sustainable.
Next Steps for FSU Basketball Followers:
- Monitor the injury report for AJ Swinton; his defensive versatility is the glue for the second unit.
- Compare the team's "Points Per Possession" to last season—it’s the clearest indicator of the Loucks offensive upgrade.
- Track the 2026 recruiting class, specifically Marcis Ponder, to see if the staff can land the big-name "true" centers needed to balance this perimeter-heavy roster.