TAMPA, Fla. – Listed below are the Sun Conference men's basketball players to watch for the 2026-27 season as submitted by each institution.

The season commences on Friday, October 23rd with non-conference action with the first conference match scheduled for Saturday, November 14th. The Sun Conference Tournament will start on Tuesday, February 23 and conclude Saturday, February 27.

Check out the 2026-27 Preseason Coaches' Poll by clicking here.
 

Ave Maria

Alex Sherwood

Senior | Neenah, Wis. (Saint Leo) | Forward

Notes: Alex Sherwood played in and started all 34 games last season and was an absolute force for the Gyrenes. Sherwood was named First Team All-Sun Conference, was the Sun Conference Player of the Week twice and the NAIA Player of the Week twice. He broke the single-game blocks record three different times last season and set the single-season records for total rebounds, blocked shots and double-doubles. As one of the two main returners from last year’s Fab Four team, the Gyrenes will be looking to him for his leadership this season.

Coastal Georgia

Kaden McArthur

Senior | Suwanee, Ga. | Guard

Notes: McArthur is a dynamic veteran playmaker who averaged a team-high 18 points per game on nearly 48% shooting for the Mariners in 2024-2025, additionally shooting nearly 40% from three-point range and 87% from the free throw line that year. He has been referenced by head coach Tim MacAllister as a leader in Coastal Georgia’s recent offseason workouts and current preseason preparations. A true floor general point guard, McArthur has the ability to control a game with his scoring and distributing. He is a tone setter for much of the Mariners hope to do and excels at getting his teammates involved.    

Florida Memorial

Mekhi Grant

Sophomore | Charlotte, N.C. (Compton College) | Forward

Notes: Grant is a 6'9 forward that can do it all. He can shoot, play defense, and be the centerpiece to this new era of FMU Basketball.

Keiser

Nadir Myers

Senior | Philadelphia, Pa. (Yavapai College) | Guard

Notes: A Second-Team All-Sun Conference selection in 2025-26, Nadir Myers averaged 13 points per game (second on the team) in 30 games for the Seahawk. Myers was No. 4 in the conference in 3-point percentage, averaging 43.5 percent from beyond the arc. He tied a career-high in points, scoring 35 versus Costal Georgia (Feb. 21, 2026).

New College of Florida

Giovanni Toscanini

Senior | Orlando, Fla. | Guard

Notes: Toscanini will become the first four-year Mighty Banyan Men's Basketball program history this winter. Last season he averaged 13.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. He shot 53.5% from the field and totaled 355 points, 74 rebounds, and 20 steals on the season.

Southeastern

Jayson Nixon

Senior | Nashville, Tenn. | Point Guard
 

Notes: Jayson Nixon was incredible in his first year with the Fire, securing Second-Team All-Sun Conference honors, and Sun Conference Player of the Week on two different occasions. He started every game, finishing the year with 384 points, averaging 12 a game on 41.5 percent shooting. He dished 119 assists, grabbed 95 boards, and corralled 37 steals. 

St. Thomas

Zyier Beverly

Senior | Los Angeles, Calif. (Binghamton) | Forward/Center

Notes: Joins the Bobcats after averaging 11.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 29 games at NCAA Division I Binghamton. Ended the 2025-26 campaign second in the America East Conference in field goal percentage (60%), third in blocks (1.3) and fifth in Player Efficiency (20.4).

Warner

Bryson Castillo

Junior | St. Augustine, Fla. | Guard

Notes: Bryson Castillo enters his third season with the Royals after a breakout 2025-26 campaign, averaging 14.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while starting 26 of 27 contests. The St. Augustine, Florida, product brings energy and scoring ability to the guard position as he looks to build on his success with Warner Men's Basketball in 2026-27.

Webber International

Ashton Lovette

Senior | Gainesville, Fla. | Guard

Notes: Experienced player who has a great feel for the game. Can score it from inside and out and is an excellent passer.