You’ve probably seen the box scores lately and noticed things look a little... different in Amherst. If you’re tracking the university of massachusetts basketball roster for this 2025-26 season, you know we aren’t exactly looking at the same squad that ground out games a couple of years ago. Frank Martin basically hit the reset button, but not in that "scorched earth" way coaches usually do. It was more of a surgical strike.
The vibe around the Mullins Center is shifting. Honestly, it had to.
After losing guys like Rahsool Diggins and Jaylen Curry to graduation and the portal, the identity of this team was up for grabs. What Martin did was fascinating: he leaned heavily into veteran transfers while betting big on a couple of freshmen who play way older than they actually are. It’s a mix of international flavor, gritty JUCO products, and some high-major experience that’s trying to gel in real-time.
The New Faces Running the Show
Let’s talk about the backcourt first. If you’ve watched even five minutes of a game recently, you’ve seen Danny Carbuccia. The kid is a freshman, but he’s playing nearly 30 minutes a night at the point. He’s from Yonkers—Archbishop Stepinac—and you can see that New York edge every time he probes the paint. He isn't a massive scorer yet, but 9 assists in a recent game against Western Michigan? That’s pure floor general stuff.
Then there’s Marcus Banks Jr.
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Banks is a graduate transfer who basically replaced the scoring punch Diggins left behind. Martin describes him as a "straight-off" shooter. You don't want him creating off the dribble as much as you want him coming off a staggered screen and letting it fly. He’s been the leading scorer for a reason. He’s got that veteran "I’ve seen this defense a hundred times" energy.
The 2025-26 Guard Rotation
- Danny Carbuccia (Fr.): The engine. 5'11" but plays like he’s 6'4".
- Marcus Banks Jr. (Gr.): The sniper. Usually hunting 15-20 points a night.
- K'Jei Parker (Jr.): A Florida SouthWestern transfer who brings serious bench scoring. He dropped 20 recently and looks like a Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
- Donovan Brown (Sr.): Depth at the guard spot, provides steady minutes when the starters need a breather.
Muscle and Length in the Paint
One thing Martin complained about early on was shot-blocking. The university of massachusetts basketball roster this year is tall, but it’s more "skilled tall" than "rim-protector tall."
Leonardo Bettiol has been a revelation. The Italian big man came over from Abilene Christian and he’s basically a walking bucket in the post. He’s efficient, shoots a high percentage, and doesn't get rattled. Watching him and Daniel Hankins-Sanford (the South Carolina transfer) work together is interesting. DHS is the athletic "glue" guy. He might not score 20, but he’s going to grab 7 or 8 boards and make the "winning plays" that coaches love to talk about in post-game pressers.
We also have to mention Dimitri Clerc. At 6'10", he’s the biggest body on the floor most nights. He’s still adjusting to the speed of the game and Martin’s defensive demands, but the potential is there. He’s from Switzerland by way of Pensacola State, which just goes to show how wide a net this coaching staff cast to build this year's team.
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Frontcourt Breakdown
- Leonardo Bettiol (Gr.): 6'9" forward. The primary interior scorer.
- Daniel Hankins-Sanford (Sr.): 6'8" forward. The defensive anchor and primary rebounder.
- Dimitri Clerc (Jr.): 6'10" center. Providing size and rim presence.
- Charles Outlaw (Jr.): 6'9" forward. A JUCO transfer providing depth and physicality.
- Luka Damjanac (So.): 6'10" forward. He’s been efficient in limited minutes, showing a soft touch.
Why This Roster Mix Is a Gamble
Usually, you want continuity. In the NIL and transfer portal era, continuity is a myth. UMass is basically playing "Get To Know You" during conference play.
The risk is obvious. When you have seven or eight new scholarship players, the defensive rotations usually suck for the first three months. You saw that in some of the early losses where guys were pointing at each other after a missed switch. But the upside is the "fresh start" energy. Dwayne Wimbley Jr., another freshman, is a four-star recruit from Florida who’s already showing he can block shots and hit the three. He’s the future, but he’s contributing now.
Jayden Ndjigue is one of the few returners who actually sees the floor. He’s the bridge between the old UMass and this new version. He’s a 6'4" wing who does all the dirty work—steals, blocks, deflections. You need a guy like that to balance out the high-volume shooters like Banks and Parker.
Looking Ahead: What to Watch For
If you’re trying to figure out where this team is going, keep an eye on the turnover margin. With a freshman point guard like Carbuccia, there are going to be "growing pain" games. But his vision is special. If the bigs like Bettiol and Clerc can start protecting the rim at a higher level, this roster has enough scoring to scare anyone in the A-10.
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It’s a weird year. It’s a transition year. But it’s also the most talent Frank Martin has had at his disposal in terms of pure offensive variety.
Actionable Takeaways for Minutemen Fans
- Monitor the Freshmen: Carbuccia and Wimbley Jr. are the barometers for the program's long-term health. If they stay through the offseason, the rebuild is ahead of schedule.
- Watch the Rotation: Pay attention to K'Jei Parker's minutes. When he’s on, UMass is hard to beat because they have a third scoring threat that most teams can't match with their bench.
- Focus on the Paint: The Bettiol/DHS duo needs to dominate the glass for this team to win games where the jumpers aren't falling.
The university of massachusetts basketball roster is a work in progress, but the pieces are finally starting to fit.
Next Steps for Deep Dives:
To truly understand the impact of this roster, you should track the weekly efficiency ratings of the Bettiol-Carbuccia pick-and-roll. It has become the most frequent set in the UMass playbook. Additionally, verifying the eligibility status of the redshirts, specifically Kris Johnson and Keenan Bey, will give you a clearer picture of the depth available for the 2026-27 campaign.