Cassandra Chincoya | Contributing writer
With the season already on its way, some familiar names and a fresh set of new faces look to help bring about changes to a basketball program looking for its first winning season in six years.
Much of the individual success from last season at FIU was propelled by its top scorer and lead guard Jayden Brewer, who transferred to Western Michigan in the offseason to play for coach Dwayne Stephens.
This marks the at-minimum third year in a row where the top scoring guard for the Panthers has transferred after one season, following in the footsteps of Arturo Dean and Denver Jones, who transferred to Oklahoma State and Auburn respectively after their own breakout seasons.
Vianney Salatchoum, the Panthers second leading rebounder and leader in blocks with 1.9 bpg alongside being the Panther’s Men’s basketball MVP, left in the offseason as well to go play for the TCU Horned Frogs.
Locker room leader Jonathan Aybar, who played his final two collegiate seasons for the Panthers after spending the first half of his career on the North Florida Ospreys, graduated from the program and now plays for the Leones de Santo Domingo of the Dominican Republic.
In terms of leaders in major statistical categories, the only remaining is Sophomore guard Ashton Williamson, who led the Panthers with 2.7 apg over 33 games.
A bunch of new names on this year’s roster give the Panthers a new look for the 2025-2026 season.
One notable name is guard Thiago Sucatzy, who excelled playing for Argentina’s U19 team for the 2025 FIBA World Cup over the summer. He had a record setting 15 assists in a single game against Cameroon and could take on an important bench role for the Panthers this season.
Another name to look out for is fellow guard Brit Harris, coming from the University of South Carolina Upstate. Harris was a reliable shooter from all over the court during his season with the Spartans and showed potential to take some of the scoring pressure off likely lead guard Ashton Williamson.
6’10 Freshman forward Eric Dibami looks to fill the gap next to the hoop left by Jonathan Aybar and Vianney Salatchoum. Originally from Cameroon, Dibambi showed out during his time at Miami Prep School. His lack of experience in college won’t matter much if he can establish himself early on with his intense physicality.
Other names to watch out for are Senior guard Corey Stephenson, point guard Julian Mackey, and forward Hamed “Larry” Olayinka.
However, every name on the Panther’s roster is a name to look out for, there’s always the chance for someone to make something out of themselves here at FIU.
Coach Jeremy Ballard is optimistic about this group of players for the upcoming season.
In an interview posted by the fiuhoops instagram, Coach Ballard is quoted saying, “I don’t think we have had one bad day in terms of being locked in since we started.”
With the men’s basketball season already two games in (FIU record 1-1), we will see where the Panthers journey will take them.
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