News | Saluki Basketball Continues to Add Firepower Ahead of 2025-26 Season
04/21/2025 | 4:00:00 | Men's Basketball
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois basketball head coach Scott Nagy continues to build his roster for the 2025-26 season this spring with the addition of several key pieces heading into summer access.
Listed Alphabetically
Prince Aligbe, F, 6-7, 228, Sr., Minneapolis, Minn., Minnehaha Academy
Appeared in 32 games while making 29 starts for the Pirates in 2024-25 ... Was fourth on the team with 7.8 points per game ... Scored in double-figures in 14 games ... Averaged 3.6 rebounds per games ... Shot 45.6 percent from the field, 18.2 percent (4-22) from behind the arc, and 67.2 percent (41-61) from the charity stripe ... Finished the year with 26 steals, 19 assists, and 10 blocks ... Scored a season-high 19 points against Providence ... Had a season-high nine rebounds against Villanova ... Swatted a season high three blocks on the road at Marquette ... Scored 10 points and had five rebounds in the Big East tournament opener against Villinova. 2022-23 (Boston College): Saw action in 27 games, earning 24 starts in his first season at Boston College ... Led the Eagles with 16 points in his collegiate debut, connecting on the game winner with 0.9 seconds remaining against Cornell ... Became the first BC freshman in 11 years to lead the team in scoring in his first career game ... Grabbed a season-best nine rebounds against Cornell - in games where Aligbe grabbed six or more boards, BC was 8-2 ... Reached double digits in the scoring column on seven occasions ... Suffered a high ankle sprain four minutes in the Detroit Mercy game; missed the next seven games ... Scored 10 of his 15 points in the second half against Notre Dame, including a go-ahead jumper with 2:32 left ... Posted 10 points, seven rebounds, and a blocked shot in the home victory over No. 20/21 Clemson ... Had 10 points (3-3 FG) and seven boards in a win at Florida State ... Corralled seven boards in BC's home win over No. 6/6 Virginia ... A consensus four-star rated recruit from Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis ... Finalist for the Mr. Basketball Award in Minnesota, after leading the state of Minnesota in scoring at 28.3 points and 12.0 rebounds per game as a senior ... A 2022 Star-Tribune All-Metro team selection, he had 36 points and 14 boards in a quarterfinal loss in the Minnesota state 2A quarterfinals ... Also a finalist for the 2022 Pioneer Press Metro Boys Basketball Player of the Year ... Teamed with Chet Holmgren and Jalen Suggs of Gonzaga while at Minnehaha Academy ... Shined in the 24KShowcase, earning MVP honors and a spot in the Iverson Roundball Classic in Memphis in April ... Brother of Saluki forward Rolyns Aligbe.
Head Coach Scott Nagy on the signing of Prince Aligbe: "Prince will be a do-it-all guy for us. He can play multiple positions and guard any position. His experience is exactly what we need for our program."
Jalen Haynes, G, 6-5, 180, Fr., Lewisville, Texas, Sunrise Christian Academy
Averaged 17.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game at Hebron HS … Named to the 6A All-Region Team, South Texas First Team All-District in 2023-24 … In post grad, he helped lead Sunrise Christian Academy to the National Tournament … Averaged 15.2 points per game with the Buffaloes.
Head Coach Scott Nagy on the signing of Jalen Haynes: "Jalen comes to us from one of the top prep schools in the country. He gives us great size and athleticism at the point guard and shooting guard positions. Combined with his personality, these attributes are exactly what we need from our guard positions to compete in the MVC."
Caden Hawkins, G, 6-1, 180, Jr., Carterville, Ill., John A. Logan
Played two seasons at John A. Logan … In 2024-25, Hawkins helped the Vols to a 23-10 finish and won both the Great Rivers Athletic Conference and district tournament to qualify for the National Invitational … He made 22 starts for John A. Logan and averaged 7.9 points and 4.1 assists last season, including shooting 42 percent from behind the arc … He scored a season-high 16 points on three different occasions including during the Vols' postseason game against Connors State … He was named to the GRAC All-Conference Team ... A First Team All-State player at Carterville High School, Hawkins wrapped up his career with 1,087 points before heading to John A. Logan … Caden's father - Shane Hawkins - was one of the Salukis' best 3-point shooters in school history from 1995-98, scoring 1,384 points over his career.
Head Coach Scott Nagy on the signing of Caden Hawkins: "Caden embodies all the things that are important to us. He's a great leader. He's a great point guard. He's a great communicator and he desires greatly to be a Saluki. I think it's a bonus that his dad played here, but the most important thing is that he is everything we wanted him to be."
Quel'Ron House, G, 5-11, 175, So., Louisville, Ky., Jacksonville State
Averaged 8.4 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game as a freshman at Jacksonville State … Made 22 starts at guard while shooting 40 percent from the field, 36 percent from behind the arc, and 82 percent from the charity stripe … Scored in double-digits in 12 games, including a season-high 20 points in the CUSA Tournament against Middle Tennessee … Helped JSU to the NIT second round after defeating Georgia Tech in the opening round of the tournament … Averaged 12.4 points during JSU's postseason run ... In prep, House was named MVP of Kentucky-Ohio All-Star game with a game-high 20-point performance … Led Seneca to its first KHSAA region championship game appearance since 1968 with a 31-point triple-double to upset seventh-ranked St. Xavier … House finished his senior year among the top 10 in the state of Kentucky in points per game with 27.9 while shooting 50.5 percent from the field and 43.6 percent from three … Was a First Team All-State selection and a Kentucky Mr. Basketball Finalist.
Head Coach Scott Nagy on the signing of Quel'Ron House: "Quel'Ron is a great addition for us at the point guard position. As a freshman last year he led his team to more than 20 wins and will give us great ball handling, quickness, and passing that we need at the point."
Max Pikaar, F, 6-11, 200, So., Leiden, Netherlands., Saint Louis
Played in 26 games as a true freshman at Saint Louis ... Scored 23 points, grabbed 26 rebounds, and blocked 11 shots in limited minutes with the Billikens ... Shot 47.4 percent from the floor ... Posted a career-high six points on two occasions, first at Fordham and then at St. Bonaventure ... Had five blocked shots and brought down six boards against William Woods ... Brought down six rebounds and scored his first collegiate bucket in his debut against Avila ... Hit his first-career trey in the win against Rhode Island ... Had four rebounds and two steals in the win against Chicago State.
Head Coach Scott Nagy on the signing of Max Pikaar: "We're so excited to add Max to our family. He is a very versatile player who will give us great size at the four and five spots. He is a tremendous defender and can shoot the ball from behind the arc, as well as score it in the post."
Isaiah Stafford, G, 6-2, 175, Gr., Bolingbrook, Ill., Valparaiso
Spent two seasons at Valparaiso ... Missed the 2024-25 season due to an injury ... Played in 29 games and made 28 starts in 2023-24 ... Ranked seventh in the MVC in overall scoring average at 16.9 points per game, third in steals per game at 1.62 and 12th in 3-point field goals made with 57 ... In MVC-only action, ranked fourth in the league in points per game at 17.6, fifth in steals per game at 1.5 and 11th in made 3-pointers with 37 ... Was one of three players in the MVC with at least three 30-point games, joining Southern Illinois' Xavier Johnson and Drake's Tucker DeVries, the third-place finisher and winner in the Larry Bird Player of the Year Trophy balloting ... Was one of five players in the league with at least 12 20-point games, joining three All-MVC First Team selections (Drake's Tucker DeVries, Southern Illinois' Xavier Johnson and Indiana State's Robbie Avila) and one All-MVC Third Team pick (Belmont's Malik Dia) ... Scored in double figures in 24 of his 29 games ... Posted 30 points including 23 in the first half on Nov. 17 at No. 23 Illinois ... Scored a season-high 32 points on Jan. 31 at Drake, becoming the fifth player in the nation with 30+ points in three or more road games this season ... Had a season-high four steals on four occasions and a season-high five assists twice ... Had a season-high nine rebounds and was one shy of a double-double on Nov. 25 vs. Southern ... In 2022-23, he helped John A. Logan to the junior college national title and a 33-2 mark in his lone junior college season ... Averaged 12.5 points per game and shot 50.6 percent from the floor including 45.7 percent from behind the arc ... Played in 23 games, starting 13 in 2021-22 at Southern Indiana ... Averaged 8.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists per contest ... Scored a season-high 31 points vs. Lindenwood ... The 31 points was a Screaming Eagles Arena record ... Grabbed a season-high six rebounds twice ... Helped his team to an 18-8 record ... He lettered in basketball at Crispus Attucks High School (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Bolingbrook High School (Bolingbrook, Ill.) ... Was the Indianapolis City Player of the Year after posting 18.4 points, 4.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds per contest in 2020-21 at Crispus Attucks ... Shot 51 percent from the field and 81 percent from the free-throw line in 2020-21 ... Played his first three high school seasons at Bolingbrook, prior to COVID-19 ... Was named Academic All-State twice during his prep career at BHS.
Head Coach Scott Nagy on the signing of Isaiah Stafford: "Isaiah is a great addition to our team for so many reasons. Two years ago, he averaged 17 points in the MVC. He understands the league. He is a grad student who gives us great experience, can play multiple guard positions, and he's an excellent athlete."
Two high school seniors made their Saluki signing official in the fall as standouts Daniel Pauliukonis and Luke Walsh joined the program officially in November during the early signing period.
Listed Alphabetically
Daniel Pauliukonis, F, 6-9, 200, Fr., Chicago, Ill., Benet Academy
Comes to Carbondale as one of the most highly touted players in the state of Illinois and one of the City/Suburban Hoops Report's top 10 prospects in the state in the recruiting cycle … Earned All-Conference and All-State accolades … Helped lead Benet Academy to its first-ever 4A State Championship during his senior year as the Redwings finished the season 33-5 overall … Averaged 14 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 37 percent from 3-point range as a senior … Helped Benet Academy to a 14-2 record in league play and a 27-7 overall record during his junior season.
Luke Walsh, G, 6-2, 170, Fr., St. Louis, Mo., Vianney HS
Named a Gatorade Player of the Year and a McDonald's All-American nominee his senior season … A three-time Missouri All-State honoree … A two-time Missouri Catholic Conference Player of the Year award winner … Earned First Team All-District three times … Finished his career at St. John Vianney High School with program records in career points (2,614), field goals made (859), 3-pointers made (408), free throws made (488), and steals (250) … Holds the single-season record at Vianney with 32.2 points per game while also setting program records with 934 points, 129 3-pointers, 185 free throws in a season … Set the program record with 50 points in a game two times during his senior season as well as setting the program record with 10 3-pointers in a game … Finished his career with over 400 3-pointers while shooting 40 percent from behind the arc, including a 42 percent mark during his senior season … Helped lead Vianney to the District Championship game each season he was a part of the team and to a Missouri 5A third-place finish during his junior season … Broke the MCC scoring record, besting previous players such as Bradley Beal and Jayson Tatum after finishing with a 34.8 points per game average.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by visiting SIUSalukis.com as well as following the team on X at @SIU_Basketball, Instagram at @SIU_Basketball, and Facebook at Facebook.com/SIUBasketball. Fans can also download the "Salukis" mobile app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Listed Alphabetically
Prince Aligbe, F, 6-7, 228, Sr., Minneapolis, Minn., Minnehaha Academy
Appeared in 32 games while making 29 starts for the Pirates in 2024-25 ... Was fourth on the team with 7.8 points per game ... Scored in double-figures in 14 games ... Averaged 3.6 rebounds per games ... Shot 45.6 percent from the field, 18.2 percent (4-22) from behind the arc, and 67.2 percent (41-61) from the charity stripe ... Finished the year with 26 steals, 19 assists, and 10 blocks ... Scored a season-high 19 points against Providence ... Had a season-high nine rebounds against Villanova ... Swatted a season high three blocks on the road at Marquette ... Scored 10 points and had five rebounds in the Big East tournament opener against Villinova. 2022-23 (Boston College): Saw action in 27 games, earning 24 starts in his first season at Boston College ... Led the Eagles with 16 points in his collegiate debut, connecting on the game winner with 0.9 seconds remaining against Cornell ... Became the first BC freshman in 11 years to lead the team in scoring in his first career game ... Grabbed a season-best nine rebounds against Cornell - in games where Aligbe grabbed six or more boards, BC was 8-2 ... Reached double digits in the scoring column on seven occasions ... Suffered a high ankle sprain four minutes in the Detroit Mercy game; missed the next seven games ... Scored 10 of his 15 points in the second half against Notre Dame, including a go-ahead jumper with 2:32 left ... Posted 10 points, seven rebounds, and a blocked shot in the home victory over No. 20/21 Clemson ... Had 10 points (3-3 FG) and seven boards in a win at Florida State ... Corralled seven boards in BC's home win over No. 6/6 Virginia ... A consensus four-star rated recruit from Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis ... Finalist for the Mr. Basketball Award in Minnesota, after leading the state of Minnesota in scoring at 28.3 points and 12.0 rebounds per game as a senior ... A 2022 Star-Tribune All-Metro team selection, he had 36 points and 14 boards in a quarterfinal loss in the Minnesota state 2A quarterfinals ... Also a finalist for the 2022 Pioneer Press Metro Boys Basketball Player of the Year ... Teamed with Chet Holmgren and Jalen Suggs of Gonzaga while at Minnehaha Academy ... Shined in the 24KShowcase, earning MVP honors and a spot in the Iverson Roundball Classic in Memphis in April ... Brother of Saluki forward Rolyns Aligbe.
Head Coach Scott Nagy on the signing of Prince Aligbe: "Prince will be a do-it-all guy for us. He can play multiple positions and guard any position. His experience is exactly what we need for our program."
Jalen Haynes, G, 6-5, 180, Fr., Lewisville, Texas, Sunrise Christian Academy
Averaged 17.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game at Hebron HS … Named to the 6A All-Region Team, South Texas First Team All-District in 2023-24 … In post grad, he helped lead Sunrise Christian Academy to the National Tournament … Averaged 15.2 points per game with the Buffaloes.
Head Coach Scott Nagy on the signing of Jalen Haynes: "Jalen comes to us from one of the top prep schools in the country. He gives us great size and athleticism at the point guard and shooting guard positions. Combined with his personality, these attributes are exactly what we need from our guard positions to compete in the MVC."
Caden Hawkins, G, 6-1, 180, Jr., Carterville, Ill., John A. Logan
Played two seasons at John A. Logan … In 2024-25, Hawkins helped the Vols to a 23-10 finish and won both the Great Rivers Athletic Conference and district tournament to qualify for the National Invitational … He made 22 starts for John A. Logan and averaged 7.9 points and 4.1 assists last season, including shooting 42 percent from behind the arc … He scored a season-high 16 points on three different occasions including during the Vols' postseason game against Connors State … He was named to the GRAC All-Conference Team ... A First Team All-State player at Carterville High School, Hawkins wrapped up his career with 1,087 points before heading to John A. Logan … Caden's father - Shane Hawkins - was one of the Salukis' best 3-point shooters in school history from 1995-98, scoring 1,384 points over his career.
Head Coach Scott Nagy on the signing of Caden Hawkins: "Caden embodies all the things that are important to us. He's a great leader. He's a great point guard. He's a great communicator and he desires greatly to be a Saluki. I think it's a bonus that his dad played here, but the most important thing is that he is everything we wanted him to be."
Quel'Ron House, G, 5-11, 175, So., Louisville, Ky., Jacksonville State
Averaged 8.4 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game as a freshman at Jacksonville State … Made 22 starts at guard while shooting 40 percent from the field, 36 percent from behind the arc, and 82 percent from the charity stripe … Scored in double-digits in 12 games, including a season-high 20 points in the CUSA Tournament against Middle Tennessee … Helped JSU to the NIT second round after defeating Georgia Tech in the opening round of the tournament … Averaged 12.4 points during JSU's postseason run ... In prep, House was named MVP of Kentucky-Ohio All-Star game with a game-high 20-point performance … Led Seneca to its first KHSAA region championship game appearance since 1968 with a 31-point triple-double to upset seventh-ranked St. Xavier … House finished his senior year among the top 10 in the state of Kentucky in points per game with 27.9 while shooting 50.5 percent from the field and 43.6 percent from three … Was a First Team All-State selection and a Kentucky Mr. Basketball Finalist.
Head Coach Scott Nagy on the signing of Quel'Ron House: "Quel'Ron is a great addition for us at the point guard position. As a freshman last year he led his team to more than 20 wins and will give us great ball handling, quickness, and passing that we need at the point."
Max Pikaar, F, 6-11, 200, So., Leiden, Netherlands., Saint Louis
Played in 26 games as a true freshman at Saint Louis ... Scored 23 points, grabbed 26 rebounds, and blocked 11 shots in limited minutes with the Billikens ... Shot 47.4 percent from the floor ... Posted a career-high six points on two occasions, first at Fordham and then at St. Bonaventure ... Had five blocked shots and brought down six boards against William Woods ... Brought down six rebounds and scored his first collegiate bucket in his debut against Avila ... Hit his first-career trey in the win against Rhode Island ... Had four rebounds and two steals in the win against Chicago State.
Head Coach Scott Nagy on the signing of Max Pikaar: "We're so excited to add Max to our family. He is a very versatile player who will give us great size at the four and five spots. He is a tremendous defender and can shoot the ball from behind the arc, as well as score it in the post."
Isaiah Stafford, G, 6-2, 175, Gr., Bolingbrook, Ill., Valparaiso
Spent two seasons at Valparaiso ... Missed the 2024-25 season due to an injury ... Played in 29 games and made 28 starts in 2023-24 ... Ranked seventh in the MVC in overall scoring average at 16.9 points per game, third in steals per game at 1.62 and 12th in 3-point field goals made with 57 ... In MVC-only action, ranked fourth in the league in points per game at 17.6, fifth in steals per game at 1.5 and 11th in made 3-pointers with 37 ... Was one of three players in the MVC with at least three 30-point games, joining Southern Illinois' Xavier Johnson and Drake's Tucker DeVries, the third-place finisher and winner in the Larry Bird Player of the Year Trophy balloting ... Was one of five players in the league with at least 12 20-point games, joining three All-MVC First Team selections (Drake's Tucker DeVries, Southern Illinois' Xavier Johnson and Indiana State's Robbie Avila) and one All-MVC Third Team pick (Belmont's Malik Dia) ... Scored in double figures in 24 of his 29 games ... Posted 30 points including 23 in the first half on Nov. 17 at No. 23 Illinois ... Scored a season-high 32 points on Jan. 31 at Drake, becoming the fifth player in the nation with 30+ points in three or more road games this season ... Had a season-high four steals on four occasions and a season-high five assists twice ... Had a season-high nine rebounds and was one shy of a double-double on Nov. 25 vs. Southern ... In 2022-23, he helped John A. Logan to the junior college national title and a 33-2 mark in his lone junior college season ... Averaged 12.5 points per game and shot 50.6 percent from the floor including 45.7 percent from behind the arc ... Played in 23 games, starting 13 in 2021-22 at Southern Indiana ... Averaged 8.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists per contest ... Scored a season-high 31 points vs. Lindenwood ... The 31 points was a Screaming Eagles Arena record ... Grabbed a season-high six rebounds twice ... Helped his team to an 18-8 record ... He lettered in basketball at Crispus Attucks High School (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Bolingbrook High School (Bolingbrook, Ill.) ... Was the Indianapolis City Player of the Year after posting 18.4 points, 4.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds per contest in 2020-21 at Crispus Attucks ... Shot 51 percent from the field and 81 percent from the free-throw line in 2020-21 ... Played his first three high school seasons at Bolingbrook, prior to COVID-19 ... Was named Academic All-State twice during his prep career at BHS.
Head Coach Scott Nagy on the signing of Isaiah Stafford: "Isaiah is a great addition to our team for so many reasons. Two years ago, he averaged 17 points in the MVC. He understands the league. He is a grad student who gives us great experience, can play multiple guard positions, and he's an excellent athlete."
Two high school seniors made their Saluki signing official in the fall as standouts Daniel Pauliukonis and Luke Walsh joined the program officially in November during the early signing period.
Listed Alphabetically
Daniel Pauliukonis, F, 6-9, 200, Fr., Chicago, Ill., Benet Academy
Comes to Carbondale as one of the most highly touted players in the state of Illinois and one of the City/Suburban Hoops Report's top 10 prospects in the state in the recruiting cycle … Earned All-Conference and All-State accolades … Helped lead Benet Academy to its first-ever 4A State Championship during his senior year as the Redwings finished the season 33-5 overall … Averaged 14 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 37 percent from 3-point range as a senior … Helped Benet Academy to a 14-2 record in league play and a 27-7 overall record during his junior season.
Luke Walsh, G, 6-2, 170, Fr., St. Louis, Mo., Vianney HS
Named a Gatorade Player of the Year and a McDonald's All-American nominee his senior season … A three-time Missouri All-State honoree … A two-time Missouri Catholic Conference Player of the Year award winner … Earned First Team All-District three times … Finished his career at St. John Vianney High School with program records in career points (2,614), field goals made (859), 3-pointers made (408), free throws made (488), and steals (250) … Holds the single-season record at Vianney with 32.2 points per game while also setting program records with 934 points, 129 3-pointers, 185 free throws in a season … Set the program record with 50 points in a game two times during his senior season as well as setting the program record with 10 3-pointers in a game … Finished his career with over 400 3-pointers while shooting 40 percent from behind the arc, including a 42 percent mark during his senior season … Helped lead Vianney to the District Championship game each season he was a part of the team and to a Missouri 5A third-place finish during his junior season … Broke the MCC scoring record, besting previous players such as Bradley Beal and Jayson Tatum after finishing with a 34.8 points per game average.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by visiting SIUSalukis.com as well as following the team on X at @SIU_Basketball, Instagram at @SIU_Basketball, and Facebook at Facebook.com/SIUBasketball. Fans can also download the "Salukis" mobile app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
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