Chris Beard doesn't do "rebuilding years." He reloads. If you looked at the university of mississippi basketball roster at the end of last season and then looked at it again this morning, you might think you’re staring at a completely different program. Honestly, that’s because you kind of are. After a historic Sweet 16 run in 2025, the Rebels saw a massive exodus of veteran talent—guys like Matthew Murrell and Jaemyn Brakefield finally hung up the jersey—leaving Beard with a giant puzzle to solve.
He solved it.
He didn't just find warm bodies; he went out and snatched up some of the most electric names in the transfer portal. We’re talking about a mix of SEC-tested veterans, international pros with a French flair, and the highest-rated high school recruit to ever step foot in Oxford. It’s a roster built for March, but the chemistry is the big "if" hanging over the SJB Pavilion right now.
The Foundation: Who Actually Stayed?
Continuity is a rare word in college hoops these days. Most of the 2024-25 core is gone, but the Rebels kept the most important piece of the frontcourt: Malik Dia.
Dia is basically the engine of this team. Last year, he was one of six Rebels to average double figures, putting up 10.8 points and nearly 6 boards a game while starting every single contest. At 6'9" and 250 pounds, he’s a mountain, but he moves like a wing. He’s the only returning starter, which means the leadership burden is almost entirely on his shoulders.
Joining him in the "returning" category are Eduardo Klafke, Zach Day, and Max Smith. Klafke is the one to watch here. He was a freshman specialist last season, shooting a ridiculous 48.1% from three-point range in limited minutes. If he can maintain that efficiency with more volume, he’s going to be a nightmare for SEC defenses that try to double-team the post.
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Max Smith is the sentimental favorite. After missing all of last year with an injury, the senior guard is back. He’s a knockdown shooter who provides that "coach on the floor" presence Beard loves.
The New Faces on the University of Mississippi Basketball Roster
Beard hit the portal like a man possessed. He brought in eight transfers, and they aren't just depth pieces—they are high-ceiling starters.
The Scoring Punch
The headliner is AJ Storr. If that name sounds familiar, it's because he’s been a bucket-getter at both Wisconsin and Kansas. He’s a 6'5" wing who can create his own shot from anywhere. Then you’ve got Kezza Giffa, a 6'1" guard from High Point who averaged nearly 15 points a game last year. Giffa has a first step that makes defenders look like they're stuck in mud.
The Bigs and the Versatility
To fix the rebounding issues that plagued the Rebels last season, Beard brought in James Scott from Louisville. He’s the tallest guy on the team at 6'10" (some listings say 6'11") and he's a rim protector first. He shot 77% from the field last year because he basically only dunks.
- Corey Chest (LSU): A bouncy 6'8" forward who was a beast on the boards before an injury cut his season short.
- Augusto Cassiá (Butler): A 6'8" Brazilian with a 43% clip from deep. He’s the definition of a "stretch four."
- Hobert Grayson IV: This is the wildcard. He comes from Division II Ouachita Baptist where he averaged 21.8 points and 11 rebounds. Jumping from D-II to the SEC is a massive leap, but Beard clearly sees something in his physicality.
The Freshman Class: A New Standard
We have to talk about Niko Bundalo. He is the highest-ranked recruit in Ole Miss history. Period. A McDonald’s All-American who stands 6'10" and plays like a guard? That doesn't happen often in Oxford. He’s a consensus top-30 talent who chose the Rebels over basically every blue blood in the country.
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But he isn't alone. Tylis Jordan is another top-50 forward out of Georgia who brings elite length. Patton Pinkins (son of assistant coach Al Pinkins) rounds out the high school signees as a 6'5" shooter with a high basketball IQ.
There's also Ilias Kamardine. Technically a freshman in college eligibility, but the guy is 21 and has been playing professional ball in France. He’s already played 55 games against grown men in the EuroCup. He isn't going to be rattled by a loud crowd in Knoxville or Fayetteville.
Why This Roster Structure is Risky
It looks great on paper. It really does. But 12 of the 16 players on the university of mississippi basketball roster are new to the program this year.
Beard is betting on his ability to "accelerate" chemistry. In the past, his teams have gelled quickly because he demands a specific, high-intensity defensive identity. If you don't guard, you don't play. That simplifies things. However, when you have scorers like Storr, Giffa, and Johnson (another Louisville transfer) all used to having the ball, someone has to sacrifice.
The defense should be better. James Scott and Corey Chest give them a level of athleticism in the paint they simply didn't have last year. They’ll be able to switch more screens and protect the rim without having to rely on zone looks as often.
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Real-World Expectations for the Rebels
If you’re looking at the SEC standings, this team is a "sleeper" that shouldn't be a sleeper. They have the talent of a top-25 team.
The real test will be the backcourt rotation. With Travis Perry—the all-time leading scorer in Kentucky high school history—coming in from UK, plus Johnson, Giffa, and the returning Smith, there are a lot of mouths to feed at the point. Beard has to find the right combination of "distributor" and "finisher" before conference play hits its stride in February.
Actionable Insights for Rebels Fans:
- Watch the glass: If James Scott and Malik Dia can keep the Rebels in the top half of the SEC in rebounding margin, they will win 20+ games.
- Klafke’s Gravity: Keep an eye on how much space Eduardo Klafke creates. Even when he isn't shooting, defenders can't leave him, which opens the lane for AJ Storr to drive.
- The Bundalo Factor: Don't expect 20 points a game from the freshman early on. Look for his defensive versatility—can he guard a 6'5" wing? If yes, the Rebels' ceiling is a Final Four.
The transition from a "rebuild" to a "standard" is happening right now in Oxford. This roster is the loudest statement Chris Beard has made since he arrived. It's deep, it's old, and it's incredibly tall. Now, they just have to play like they've known each other longer than a few months.