If you’ve been paying any attention to the Mountain West lately, you know something weird is happening in Phoenix. The Lopes aren't just "good for a mid-major" anymore. They are a problem. Honestly, looking at the grand canyon basketball stats from this 2025-26 season, you start to see a team that has successfully traded its WAC training wheels for a legitimate seat at the big boy table.
They currently sit at 10-5 overall. That sounds fine, sure. But the 3-1 start in Mountain West play? That’s the part that should make people jumpy.
The Jaden Henley Effect
Let’s talk about Jaden Henley. Most people see a 6’7” guard and think "versatile," but the numbers tell a much more aggressive story. He’s putting up 17.2 points per game. He isn't just a volume shooter, though; he's getting to the line nearly seven times a night. He’s shooting about 80% from the stripe. Basically, if he gets a step on you, it’s either a bucket or two free throws.
He’s also leading the team in steals at 1.9 per game.
It’s rare to find a guy who leads your team in scoring and creates that much havoc on the perimeter. Usually, you get one or the other. Henley is doing both while playing 30 minutes a night.
Cleaning the Glass: Nana and the Bigs
Then there is Nana Owusu-Anane. If Jaden is the engine, Nana is the frame of the car. He’s pulling down 9.1 rebounds per game. That’s nearly a double-double average when you factor in his 9.7 points.
He’s a 6’8” graduate student who just knows where the ball is going to bounce. You can’t teach that.
But it’s not just him.
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The Lopes have serious size this year. You’ve got Efe Demirel, the freshman from Turkey, who is 7’1” and shooting a ridiculous 64% from the floor. He doesn't take many shots—only about five a game—but when he does, they go in. He’s essentially a human cheat code for high-percentage looks. Between him and the 7’2” Dennis Evans, the interior grand canyon basketball stats on defense are stifling.
Opponents are finding out that the "purple wall" is very real.
Why the Advanced Grand Canyon Basketball Stats Matter
If you dig into the efficiency ratings, things get even more interesting. Their defensive rating is 97.8, which ranks 69th in the country. That might not sound like "top tier" until you realize they are doing this in the Mountain West, a conference that has become a meat grinder for offenses.
Their pace is around 69.2.
They aren't trying to outrun you like a track team. They want to grind you down.
- Effective FG%: 50.7%
- Offensive Rebound %: 33.9% (This is the "killer" stat)
- Free Throw Rate: 37.5%
They miss a shot? They probably get it back. 1 in every 3 misses ends up back in their hands. That’s demoralizing for a defense. You play 28 seconds of perfect D, they clank a three, Nana or Efe grabs it, and you have to do it all over again.
It’s exhausting just watching it.
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The Makaih Williams Factor
Makaih Williams is the guy nobody talks about enough. He’s averaging 12.3 points and he’s the primary deep threat, taking nearly five triples a game. He hits them at a 32.4% clip. Not "elite" by NBA standards, but in the college game, you have to respect it.
When he’s on, the floor opens up for Henley.
When he’s off, the Lopes have to rely on that interior grit.
The Transition to the Mountain West
Moving from the WAC to the Mountain West was supposed to be a "bridge year." Most experts thought they’d struggle with the physicality of San Diego State or the altitude in Wyoming. Instead, they went into Laramie and walked out with an 82-70 win.
They are currently 5th in the conference standings, but they've played fewer games than the leaders.
Utah State and San Diego State are still at the top, but GCU is looming. The schedule is about to get brutal, though. They have New Mexico at The Pit and then San Diego State at home. Those two games will tell us if the grand canyon basketball stats we see now are sustainable or just a hot streak.
Honestly, the chemistry is what stands out.
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Bryce Drew has these guys playing for each other. You see it in the assist numbers. Brian Moore Jr. and Jaden Henley are both averaging 2.4 assists. It’s a very "point guard by committee" approach that makes them harder to scout. You can't just take away one playmaker.
Real Talk: The Limitations
Look, it's not all sunshine. The three-point shooting is... well, it’s not great. As a team, they are hitting 30.1% from deep. That ranks 319th in the nation. That is objectively bad.
If they run into a team that can pack the paint and dare them to shoot, they could be in trouble.
They rely heavily on getting to the foul line. If the refs aren't blowing the whistle, the offense can stagnate. We saw that in the loss to Iowa where they only scored 46 points. FORTY-SIX. When the shots don't fall and they can't get to the line, the floor falls out.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you are tracking this team, keep an eye on these specific metrics over the next month:
- Free Throw Attempts: If GCU is shooting 20+ free throws, they usually win. If they are under 15, they are likely struggling.
- The First 5 Minutes of the Second Half: This team has a habit of "kill shots"—10-0 runs that end games early.
- Efe Demirel’s Minutes: If he stays out of foul trouble and plays 25+ minutes, the Lopes' interior defense becomes nearly impenetrable.
The reality is that Grand Canyon has built a roster that mirrors the top of the Mountain West: big, mean, and obsessed with rebounding. They aren't the "pretty" team that’s going to highlight your Twitter feed with 30-footers. They are the team that’s going to beat you up for 40 minutes and leave you wondering why you're so sore the next day.
Next up is a road trip to Albuquerque. If the stats hold up there, it's time to start talking about a Top 25 ranking.
Check the box scores for the offensive rebound margin. That is the single most important number for this squad. If they win the glass, they win the game. It's as simple as that.