FLUSHING, N.Y. – Ninth-year head coach Matt Collier and the Queens College men's basketball team are set to begin their 2025–26 campaign on Friday evening, opening play in the ECCxNE10 Conference Challenge hosted by Pace University in Pleasantville, N.Y.
 
The Knights are coming off a strong 2024–25 season that saw them post a 13–17 overall record and an 8–8 mark in East Coast Conference (ECC) play. That performance earned Queens the No. 3 seed in the ECC Tournament and the program's first conference semifinal appearance since the 2010–11 season.
 
In the 2025–26 ECC Preseason Coaches Poll, the Knights were projected to finish fourth, collecting 48 points in the rankings. (Full ECC story available here.)
 
Coach Collier enters his ninth year at the helm with a blend of returning experience and new energy on his staff. Assistant coaches Cesar Osses and Jonathan Blount return to the bench, while Jason Gaudioso and Justin Stanley join the program as new additions for the upcoming season.

2025–2026 Roster Outlook

The 2025–26 Queens College men's basketball roster features a mix of experience and new talent as the Knights look to build on last year's postseason success. This season's squad includes 15 student-athletes, highlighted by three returning players and 12 newcomers eager to make an impact.
 
The roster is composed of three seniors, five juniors, three sophomores, and four freshmen, giving Coach Collier and his staff a balanced lineup of veteran leadership and youthful energy heading into the new campaign.
 
Senior forward Jaden Pena (Brooklyn, N.Y.) returns after appearing in 30 games with 14 starts last season, averaging 4.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Pena posted a career-best performance with 25 points and 15 rebounds in the victory over Molloy on December 17.
 
Sophomore guards Tyler Michel (Cambria Heights, N.Y.) and Darius Mihai (Oakland Gardens, N.Y.) return with another year of experience under their belts. Michel was a key contributor down the stretch last season, helping the Knights secure the No. 3 seed in the ECC Tournament.
 
The Knights have also bolstered their frontcourt with the additions of senior forwards Tahj-Malik Campbell (Philadelphia, PA) from Northern New Mexico College and Jake Foley (Westwood, N.J.) from Penn State Wilkes-Barre, both bringing valuable collegiate experience to the lineup.
 
In the backcourt, junior guard David Teele (Harlem, N.Y.) returns to action after missing last season due to injury and is ready to make an impact. He'll be joined by several new faces, including Ahmad Galimore (Bronx, N.Y.) from Division II Slippery Rock University, Williams Guzman (Corona, N.Y.) from Queensborough Community College, Dontae Prescott (Coney Island, N.Y.) from Coahoma Community College, Johnny Jones (Bronx, N.Y.) from Lake Land College and sophomore guard Lleyton Fried (Harrisburg, PA) from Division II Mansfield University, all of whom add depth and versatility to the perimeter rotation.
 
Rounding out the roster are four freshmen looking to make their mark at the collegiate level: guard Anthony Caris (Floral Park, N.Y.) and forwards Jawuan Smith (Mastic, N.Y.), Aaron Mitchell (Bronx, N.Y.), and Henri Mennander (Helsinki, Finland). This talented group will look to contribute early as the Knights aim to return to postseason play and continue their pursuit of an ECC Championship.

Follow the Action

Fans can catch all Queens College home games live on FLOCollege and follow along with live stats throughout the season.

Next Game:

Staying on the road, the Knights head to the Bronx on Saturday, November 22, for their first appearance in the Harlem Renaissance Classic, taking on Lincoln University (Pa.) Lions at a neutral site hosted by Manhattan University. Tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m.

For the latest news on Queens College Athletics, follow the Knights at queensknights.com or via social media on Facebook (Queens College Athletics), X Athletics Main Account (@QCKnights), Queens College MBB (QCKnightsMBB) and Instagram (qcknightsny), men's basketball (qcmensbball).