You know the name. Mater Dei. It’s basically the gold standard for high school hoops in California—maybe even the country. But looking at the Mater Dei basketball roster this year, things feel a little different. It’s not just about having the tallest kids or the flashy dunks anymore. It’s about how Gary McKnight, the legendary coach who just hit his 1,300th career win in December 2025, keeps finding ways to stay at the top while everyone else is trying to knock him off his throne.
Honestly, it’s wild. McKnight has been at this since 1982. Most of the parents of the kids on the current team weren't even born when he started winning league titles.
The Current Mater Dei Basketball Roster: Breaking Down the Depth
This season's squad is a mix of veteran grit and some serious young talent that makes you do a double-take. We’re talking about a rotation that can go ten deep without losing much production.
Take Luke Barnett, for example. He’s a 6'4" junior who plays a hybrid guard/forward role. He’s got that "it" factor. He isn't just a shooter; he’s a floor spacer who understands the Monarchs’ system perfectly. Then you’ve got Malloy Smith, another junior at 6'6". Having two guys at that size who can handle the rock and defend multiple positions is a nightmare for opposing coaches in the Trinity League.
Size in the Paint
You can’t talk about a Mater Dei roster without mentioning the bigs. It’s sorta their thing.
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- Marko Kovac: He’s 6'11". A true center who anchors the defense.
- Ender Berg: A 6'10" sophomore with a massive ceiling.
- Brannon Martinsen: At 6'8", he’s a versatile forward who does the dirty work.
It isn't just about being tall, though. These guys actually move. In their game against San Clemente back in December—the one where McKnight got win #1,300—the interior defense was what saved them in overtime. They won 73-71, and it wasn't because of a flurry of threes. It was because the bigs owned the glass when it mattered most.
Who is Stepping Up This Year?
Every year, people wonder if the "reload" will finally fail. It hasn't yet. This year, we're seeing younger names like Beckett Williams and Evan Willis (both class of 2028) getting real minutes. Seeing freshmen on a varsity Mater Dei roster used to be rare. Now? If you can play, you play.
Demarcus Henry is another one to watch. He’s a 6'6" sophomore who can play the 2 or the 3. He’s got a smooth game that reminds some of the scouts of past Monarch greats, but with a more modern, positionless feel.
Then there's the senior leadership. Will Price brings that 6'2" veteran presence. He’s the guy who settles the team down when the pressure builds in a hostile gym like St. John Bosco’s. Speaking of Bosco, that's the matchup everyone circles. It’s more than a game; it’s a culture war for Southern California supremacy.
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The McKnight Factor
You can't analyze the Mater Dei basketball roster without looking at the guy holding the clipboard. Gary McKnight is currently chasing the all-time national wins record held by Robert Hughes. He's at 1,300. Hughes finished at 1,333.
The math says he could break it sometime in the 2026-27 season.
What’s crazy is how his style adapts. He’s seen the game go from post-heavy "bruiser" ball in the 80s to the pace-and-space era we’re in now. This current roster reflects that. You see a lot of 6'4" to 6'7" athletes who can switch everything on defense. That's the blueprint for winning in 2026.
What to Expect the Rest of the Season
The schedule is brutal. That’s by design. They’ve already played in tournaments in Illinois, Idaho, and Las Vegas.
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They had some tough losses early on—Crespi got them, and so did Centennial. But that’s the Mater Dei way. They take those "L's" in November and December so they are battle-hardened by the time the CIF Southern Section Open Division playoffs roll around in February.
If you're following this team, keep an eye on the chemistry between Luke Barnett and the big man Marko Kovac. When their inside-out game is clicking, they are almost impossible to stop.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Scouts
If you want to keep up with the team or you're scouting talent, focus on these three things:
- Watch the Trinity League Standings: This is the toughest league in the country. If they can sweep or go 9-1 here, they’re the favorites for a state title.
- Freshmen Impact: Track the minutes of Beckett Williams. If his role expands by late January, it means McKnight trusts the youth movement for the postseason run.
- Interior Efficiency: Check the box scores for Ender Berg. If he starts hitting double-doubles consistently, Mater Dei becomes a different animal on both ends.
The Monarchs aren't going anywhere. Whether you love them or hate them, the 2025-26 roster is proof that the program in Santa Ana is still the benchmark for high school basketball.
To stay updated on the latest box scores and roster shifts, check the official Mater Dei athletics portal or MaxPreps for real-time stat updates after every Trinity League matchup.