North Dakota State Basketball Adds Thirteen New Players

The Bison roster undergoes a major transformation following the departures of seven players via the transfer portal.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Basketball

North Dakota State Basketball Adds Thirteen New Players

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The North Dakota State University men's basketball team has overhauled its lineup by adding thirteen new players for the upcoming season. This influx of talent follows the departure of seven players who entered the transfer portal after the team's NCAA Tournament loss.

Why it matters

The team is rebuilding its roster through a mix of Division I transfers, junior college recruits, and international players to maintain its competitive status. Despite the high turnover, the reigning Summit League champions remain the preseason favorite to defend their title.

The new-look roster features eight transfers and five freshmen. Key height additions include Andrew Nagy at 6-foot-9, Karl Poom at 6-foot-8, and both Jaziah Harper and Santi Paz Vazquez at 6-foot-7.

The players

North Dakota State University

This public research university located in Fargo competes as a member of the Summit League in NCAA Division I.

Terrance McGee

He recently joined the North Dakota State men's basketball coaching staff as an assistant.

Jaziah Harper

He is a 6-foot-7 Division I transfer joining the Bison from his hometown of Oak Park, Illinois.

Kaden Tate

He is a 6-foot-6 recruit hailing from Pearland, Texas, who joins the team from the junior college ranks.

The details

The coaching staff recruited talent from diverse pools, including junior college and international leagues, to fill spots vacated by players who left after the postseason. To prepare for competition, the team spent the summer conducting closed-door scrimmages to integrate the new personnel into their system.

March 2026: NDSU won the Summit League tournament title.
October 2026: NDSU hosts an exhibition game against Minnesota State Moorhead.

Season Trajectory

The aggressive recruitment cycle positions the Bison to navigate the post-transfer era while remaining a perennial powerhouse in the conference. The ability to integrate thirteen new players will dictate if the team can successfully defend its conference championship status.

Fans can gauge the new team's chemistry during the October exhibition game against Minnesota State Moorhead. The integration of five freshmen and eight transfers will determine the team's depth and rotation heading into the conference schedule.

The takeaway

Maintaining championship form requires rapid team cohesion when faced with significant roster turnover. Local supporters should look to the upcoming exhibition game as the first indicator of how the new recruits impact the team's defensive and offensive structure.