Florida A&M Added Seven International Players

The Rattlers have overhauled their roster with 12 new additions ahead of the upcoming college basketball season.

Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Basketball

Florida A&M Added Seven International Players

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Florida A&M University has added seven international players to its men's basketball roster for the 2026-2027 season. The program brought in 12 new players total following a 15-16 finish last year.

Why it matters

The team integrated international talent to diversify the locker room and elevate the squad's overall skill level. The revamped roster hopes to improve upon last season's performance in the competitive SWAC.

The revamped Florida A&M squad features seven international players and 12 total newcomers. The Rattlers enter the season ranked 4th in the SWAC preseason poll following an 11-7 conference record last year.

The players

Florida A&M University

This public historically black university located in Tallahassee is a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Antonio Baker Jr.

A standout player for the Rattlers, he has been recognized as the SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Jaquan Sanders

He is a key member of the Florida A&M squad and was selected for the All-SWAC preseason team.

The details

Coaches prioritized recruiting transfer players who had attended four-year institutions for at least two years while building the team through existing personal relationships. Antonio Baker Jr. and Jaquan Sanders lead the group, with Baker named the SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

The Rattlers reached the SWAC Tournament semifinals in March 2026.
An exhibition game against Warner University is scheduled for October 15, 2026.
The team faces Saint Leo University in an exhibition on October 27, 2026.
The regular season opener against Florida State takes place on November 2, 2026.
Conference play against Bethune-Cookman begins on January 2, 2027.

Season Trajectory

This aggressive recruitment of 12 new players marks a significant pivot following the team's appearance in the 2026 SWAC Tournament semifinals. The roster shift aims to move the program into the top tier of the conference standings.

The inclusion of seven international players suggests a more diverse rotation that could change team performance metrics and betting lines for the season. Coaching staff are also actively seeking a fifth year of eligibility for Jaquan Sanders to bolster the starting lineup.

The takeaway

The team is banking on a large influx of veteran transfers to make an immediate impact this season. Fans should watch how quickly the new international recruits integrate with the returning core during the early non-conference exhibition games.

What happens next

The Rattlers play Florida State in their regular season opener on November 2, 2026, followed by the start of conference play against Bethune-Cookman on January 2, 2027.