Jac Mani is headed to Fresno State, per IG

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJR-RjWPwlw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

It will be interesting to see if Mani will reach his potential at Fresno State. He was injured a lot here and, when he did finally get some playing time, he seemed to have a tough time with the physicality of defending in the paint. He certainly has a beautiful 3 point shot so maybe Fresno will use him as a tough matchup on the perimeter.

I watched a couple of short highlights videos of Noudjihidi on Hudl and he's long, very athletic and runs the floor really well for a 6'11 post. He looks like he could be an elite defender with the ability to score close to the rim and has a lot of growth potential.

Nice! Hopefully he can put on some muscle between now and next season. He's listed as weighing only 215 which is pretty dang slender for someone who is 6'11.

He is slender for sure but he's quick, can get up and down the floor fast and can leap. I think his quickness and leaping ability can help him become a disruptive, rim protector while staying out of foul trouble.

Nice to see some size coming in. 6’11” and 6’8”. Esso-Essis had a lot of D1 offers including Unlv. Both look to see a lot of time next season

I really like the recruiting class that Les has brought in so far and I'm excited to see these new Ags in action this fall. It feels like we are building towards being ready for the move to the MWC in 2026. I wonder if we have any more scholarships available for this year or if we're done now?

He does seem quick, but I worry about durability if he doesn't put on some muscle. His legs look like twigs. It will be nice to have a big on the roster though.

It looks like we got us a 3 point shooter with the size to play above the rim as well!

I’ve been waiting for this one. He was followed by both coach Vogt and coach nosek so figured there was a good shot at getting him. Good size, good experience and can flat out shoot. Putting together a great recruiting class. Marsh is going to really be challenged this season

Marsh is going to really be challenged this season — Oldbanduhalum

No kidding...I was tongue tied when I told my wife about these new recruits!

Am I correct in this? College athletes are suing the NCAA for restricting the number of years that they can play and if they win, there will be no limit to their eligibility (assuming that they are academically eligible, i.e. to include graduate students)? Thus even sixth year seniors can now transfer but the schools getting them might not really get them in the lawsuit fails? This is nuts!

https://ucdavisaggies.com/news/2025/5/14/marcus-wilson-to-join-mens-basketball-program.aspx

Have we changed our campus name?

"Marcus' work ethic and competitive spirit will be a fan favorite at the UCU." "

I assume university credit union

High praise for Ylan Esso-Essis from Jim Les:

"We are thrilled to announce the addition of Ylan to the UC Davis Men's Basketball program," Les said. "Ylan is a highly skilled wing with a rare combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ. Standing at 6'8", he brings a dynamic presence to the court—able to handle the ball, create opportunities for himself and his teammates, and stretch the floor with his elite shooting range, making him a serious matchup problem for opponents.

"What sets Ylan apart isn't just his physical tools or offensive versatility—it's his mindset. His passion for the game and relentless work ethic make him a true gym rat, and that hunger to improve is what gives him one of the highest ceilings of any player I've coached in 24 years. We can't wait to see the impact Ylan will make as an Aggie. Welcome to UC Davis, Ylan!"

https://ucdavisaggies.com/news/2025/5/16/ylan-esso-essis-to-join-mens-basketball-program.aspx

I wonder if TJ Shorts, who just claimed back to back French league MVP, influenced Essos’ decision to commit to the Aggies.

Well if anyone was wondering if we still had a scholarship left to offer, I guess that was answered with a new offer today for Abdullah Amzil (6'7") from Finland. He already holds offers from South Carolina, Wyoming, and Utah, among some others, so I don't know if we have a chance. But the fact that we offered leads me to believe we have a spot available.

It looks like he has a great inside/outside game. This highlights video is from 2 years ago and he is apparently grown another inch since then. I hope he chooses to be an Aggie!

For what it’s worth, it looks like he just started following ucdavismbb on instagram. Who knows if that means anything, but I do hope he commits. Another wing with good size and a nice outside shot would be a great add

Regardless, it certainly seems like Les has stepped up his recruiting. Wonder if it’s more money to offer or the just the lure of playing in a higher profile conference.

I have to think that we must be offering some NIL but who knows? Our athletics program is so much more than just trying to "buy" players. We go after players who value their education and the all of the support they will get for succeeding in school and in their lives after basketball at some point. It seems like all of these recent recruits are good students with high character so those things are probably as important or maybe even more important to them than simply getting paid to play at this level.

I haven't seen anything more about the big man, Jonathan Noudjihidi. I hope we get him signed. I did see a post where he has one of the tallest standing reaches in the nation at 9'2. With that kind of length he could really be a rim protector!

I'm looking forward to seeing Sujanovic play this fall. I think he will be an immediate impact player.

DAVIS, Calif. — UC Davis men's basketball has signed Omer Suljanovic, a 6-foot-8 forward from Austria with professional experience in Italy's Serie A2, head coach Jim Les announced Friday.

"Omer's game is built for today's style of play," said Les. "He stretches the floor, initiates offense, and competes with the physicality and pace you expect from someone who's faced high-level competition across Europe. He's ready to contribute from day one."

"He brings a unique combination of size, athleticism, and basketball IQ that positions him to make an immediate impact," Les added. "A true modern-day forward, Omer's ability to handle the ball like a guard at 6-foot-8, combined with his strength and touch in the paint, makes him a matchup nightmare. He can create his own shot, finish through contact, and score at all three levels – with his perimeter shooting standing out as a major threat."

Suljanovic spent the 2024-25 season with UCC Assigeco Piacenza in Italy's Serie A2, a highly competitive league featuring seasoned professionals. During the 2023-24 season, he led Italy's U-19 league in scoring at 24.2 points per game for Pallacanestro Reggiana. He also competed for NGT Belgrade in the Adidas Next Generation Tournament, averaging 11 points and 7.3 rebounds against Europe's elite youth prospects.

Internationally, Suljanovic made his senior national team debut at just 17 years old – becoming one of the world's youngest players at that level during the 2025 FIBA World Cup qualifying window. He averaged 23 minutes per game in his two appearances, demonstrating remarkable poise for his age. He has since been called again to perform for Austria's second FIBA World Cup Pre-Qualifiers window this season.

Suljanovic's basketball pedigree runs deep: Fluent in four languages, he is the son of Ramiz Suljanovic – a 12-year professional veteran and Bosnian national team pioneer who was among the first Bosnians to establish himself in European basketball. His brother, Imran, will play at St. John's this season.

"Having competed internationally and trained in some of Europe's most respected development systems, Omer arrives with the poise and polish of a seasoned professional," Les noted. "We are confident he will strengthen our team and elevate the standard of play across the board. His presence is a significant addition to our program's culture."

Suljanovic will join the Aggies as a freshman for the 2025-26 season.

https://ucdavisaggies.com/news/2025/5/30/omer-suljanovic-to-join-mens-basketball-program.aspx

It feels like we’ve really improved, although I’m a bit worried about our center position. I expect a big leap up from Cooper, and I think Sevilla will be better with a reduced work load. Robeson remains the big unknown.

Signed now

I'm really happy to see that Noudjihidi is officially an Aggie. He has one of the longest wingspans in the country and appears to be very athletic. He's definitely has the potential to be a disruptive defender and rim protector. I think this is one of the best recruiting classes I've seen in a very long time. Can't wait to see this team in action this fall!