RENO, Nev. - Friday will mark the first opportunity to see the 2022-23 Nevada men's basketball team in action, as they are set to host Cal State East Bay in an exhibition game, with tipoff scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at the Lawlor Events Center.
The 2022-23 Wolf Pack squad is full of new and returning players combined, as the team will look to return to Mountain West Conference contenders with a retooled roster.
After losing leading scorers Grant Sherfield and Desmon Cambridge Jr., the Nevada coaching staff has brought in a plethora of new talent to fill the void left from the two All-Mountain West Third Team selections.
6-foot-4 guard Jarod Lucas joined the Pack this offseason, making the move to Reno from Oregon State. Over his three-year career with the Beavers, Lucas averaged 10.3 points per contest, while knocking down 38 percent of his 3-point attempts.
Hunter McIntosh also made his way to Reno this offseason, joining the Nevada basketball program after three stellar seasons at Elon University. McIntosh owns career averages of 13.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, while drilling 38 percent of his shots from beyond the arc.
Tyler Powell completed the Wolf Pack's transfer class this offseason, coming to Nevada by way of Seton Hall University after playing his freshman season for the Pirates last year. Powell appeared in 12 contests for Seton Hall throughout the 2021-22 season, including their First Round NCAA Tournament matchup against TCU, where he grabbed two rebounds in eight minutes of action.
The Wolf Pack coaching staff also brought in two freshmen who have the opportunity to make an immediate impact on the program in Trey Pettigrew and Darrion Williams. Williams, the 2022 Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year, was a four-star recruit according to ESPN after averaging 15.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 4.0 steals per game as a Senior at Bishop Gorman High School. Pettigrew was listed as a three-star recruit by both 247 Sports and Rivals, and he was ranked among the top-five prospects in the state of Illinois last year, in addition to earning a top-150 national ranking.
The newcomers will join a strong core of returning players, highlighted by senior guard Kenan Blackshear and junior guard Tré Coleman. Blackshear played in all 31 games for the Wolf Pack last season, starting 24 of them. He posted season averages of 8.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, and he scored a season-high 17 points against UNLV (2/1/2022). Blackshear will seek to step into a bigger role this season and to take on more of a leadership role on a fairly young team. Coleman will look to build upon a strong sophomore season, where he appeared in all 31 games, starting 22 of them and posting averages of 4.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.06 steals per contest.
Junior forward Daniel Foster is also back for the Wolf Pack after appearing in all 31 games for Nevada last season. Foster provided a strong defensive presence throughout the 2022-23 season and managed to grab nearly three rebounds per game in just under 20 minutes of action. Foster will have the opportunity to showcase more of his offensive skills this year and will look to begin with a robust performance in Friday's exhibition game.
Additionally, Nick Davidson returns for the Wolf Pack after redshirting his freshman season last year. The 6-foot-8 forward had lofty expectations coming out of Mater Dei High School and will now have the opportunity to suit up and showcase his abilities on the court for Nevada.
Will Baker and K.J. Hymes are back, providing an abundance of experience for the Nevada men's basketball team. Baker had a strong redshirt sophomore season for the Pack last year, appearing in all 31 contests, while making 27 starts. The 7-footer averaged 11.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game and knocked down an impressive 39.4 percent of his 3-point attempts and 54.6 percent of his total field-goal attempts. Hymes was limited to 22 appearances last season due to injuries but returns this season fully healthy. Over his three-year career with the Wolf Pack, Hymes holds averages of 4.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks per game.
Scouting Cal State East Bay
Cal State East Bay finished the 2021-22 season with a modest record of 9-15 overall; but, they return just six players from last year's team, as they have reshaped the majority of their roster, adding four transfers from Division I programs.
Sophomore guard DJ Sanders is the top returning player for the Pioneers, as he finished third on the team in both scoring (10.2 ppg) and assists (2.1) throughout his freshman season, while grabbing 3.5 rebounds per contest.
Season Opener Less Than Three Weeks Away
Nevada's season-opening contest is less than three weeks away, as they are scheduled to host Utah Tech on Monday, November 7, marking the official start of the 2022-23 season.
SEASON AND SINGLE GAME TICKETS ON SALE
Season tickets, mini plans, and single game tickets are on sale now. Season tickets for Nevada men's basketball start at just $149. Student admission for regular season games is free with their Wolf Card on a first come first served basis on Gameday.
Single game tickets for Friday's exhibition game start as low as $5.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
FOLLOW THE PACK
Follow Nevada Men's Basketball on social media at @NevadaHoops (Twitter), @nevadahoops (Instagram), and on Facebook at @NevadaMBB
