Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Meet the Team: Salukis Bring Together Exciting Mix of Talent
07/15/2026 | 3:05:00 | Men's Basketball
CARBONDALE, Ill. — During the dog days of summer, inside SIU's Banterra Center you'll find the Dawgs hard at work.
The team on the floor during summer practices represents the hard work of head coach Scott Nagy and his coaching staff, fresh off the recruiting trail after the disappointing finale of the 2025-26 season.
Six players are returning from last season, but only one — sophomore guard Jalen Haynes — played major minutes. Redshirt sophomore Jaheem Webber saw an increased workload as the season wore on. Meanwhile, Caden Hawkins and Max Pikaar saw limited time on the floor, while Daniel Pauliukonis and Luke Walsh redshirted.
That reality sent Nagy and his staff across the country to find the next group of Salukis to grace the Banterra Center floor.
Four true freshmen joined the squad, Jeremiah Jackson, a 6-4 guard from Louisville, Kentucky; Ty Laur, a 6-8 big man from Pinckneyville, Illinois; Pietro Ranieri, a 6-10 Italian forward; and Luke Susko, a 6-6 guard from Flower Mound, Texas.
Four players transferred to SIU with the potential of playing major minutes for the Salukis, including Jaxson Fugate, a 6-6 guard/forward from NAIA Indiana Tech; Christian Gilliland, a 6-2 guard from Pearl River Community College; Donovan Hill, a 6-8 graduate student from Division II Saint Leo; and Brock McClure a 6-6 guard from Snow College, one of the nation's premier junior colleges.
The Returners
C
aden Hawkins, No. 21
Senior | Guard | 6'0" | 175 lbs
Hometown: Carterville, Illinois
Previously: John A. Logan College
Last season, his first with the Salukis, Hawkins appeared in 15 games, averaging 5.1 minutes per contest. He notched a season-high 17 minutes against Belmont and scored 18 points on the season. In 2024-25, Hawkins helped the John A. Logan 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 that season, including shooting 42 percent from behind the arc.
Coach Nagy says: "Caden is one of those players that you can always trust. His attitude, work ethic and leadership are something every coach wants in a player. We are excited to have Caden back for his final season and expect him to make an immediate impact on the court."
Jalen Haynes, No. 1
Sophomore | Guard | 6'4" | 185 lbs
Hometown: Lewisville, Texas
Previously: Hebron HS & Sunrise Christian Academy
Haynes averaged 7.9 points last season while playing over 20 minutes per contest, appearing in 32 and starting seven. He also notched 2.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists a game and had 31 steals. His season was highlighted by a few spectacular dunks, including one against UT Martin on Dec. 10, 2025, which was that night's top play on ESPN's SportsCenter. His season-high for points came when he put up 22 on January 17, 2026, against Belmont.
Coach Nagy says: "Jalen averaged 20 minutes a game for us last season as a true freshman. We expect him to take a huge jump as he heads into his sophomore season. His offensive game has improved greatly this offseason. Jalen's speed and athleticism will make him one of the better guards in the MVC."
Daniel Pauliukonis, No. 4
Redshirt Freshman | Forward | 6'9" | 200 lbs
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Previously: Benet Academy
After redshirting last season, Pauliukonis is ready to make an impact after coming 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 last year's recruiting cycle. He helped lead Benet Academy to its first 4A State Championship during his senior year as the Redwings finished the season 33-5 overall. Pauliukonis averaged 14 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 37 percent from 3-point range as a senior.
Coach Nagy says: "After redshirting last season, Daniel has made an impactful jump forward from Year 1 to Year 2 in our program. Our staff is excited to continue to help Daniel grow and improve. Daniel is a very capable 3-point shooter who has good size for his position."
Max Pikaar, No. 35
Junior | Forward | 7'0" | 205 lbs
Hometown: Leiden, Netherlands
Previously: Saint Louis University
The 7-foot Dutchman played in 29 games, averaging 10.9 minutes, last season for SIU, blocking 19 shots and averaging 2.1 rebounds and 1.9 points. Pikaar played in 26 games as a true freshman at Saint Louis, scored 23 points, grabbing 26 rebounds, and blocking 11 shots in limited minutes with the Billikens. He shot 47.4 percent from the floor that season.
Coach Nagy says: "Max has had the chance to play for the Netherlands National Team for the early part of the summer. With Max's size and athleticism, we are excited to see his jump going into Year 2 with our program. Max can guard multiple positions while being a capable 3-point shooter."
Luke Walsh, No. 14
Redshirt Freshman | Guard | 6'2" | 185 lbs
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Previously: Vianney HS
Walsh wore the redshirt last season and is ready to contribute in his second year in Carbondale. He was named a Gatorade Player of the Year and a McDonald's All-American nominee his senior season of high school. A three-time Missouri All-State honoree, two-time Missouri Catholic Conference Player of the Year award winner, he earned First Team All-District three times and 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). He also 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.
Coach Nagy says: "After redshirting last season, we are thrilled to have Luke back in our program to make an immediate impact. Luke is a proven scorer who works tirelessly to better his game."
Jaheem Webber, No. 33
Redshirt Sophomore | Center | 6'10" | 255 lbs
Hometown: Normal, Illinois
Previously: Normal Community HS
After redshirting his first year, Webber played in 19 games last season for SIU, seeing his playing time tick upward in the back half of the season. He averaged 7.1 minutes a game, topping out with 15 minutes played on February 15, 2026, against Bradley. He notched 1.7 rebounds and 1.4 points per game, while blocking 15 shots in his limited action. In high school, Webber helped lead Normal Community High School to a runner-up finish in the state tournament. Ranked as a three-star prospect by multiple recruiting services, Webber averaged 10.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks as a senior and was named Second Team All-State by both the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association and the media.
Coach Nagy says: "Jaheem has been in our program for three years now. After playing a limited role last year, we are really excited to see Jaheem take a big jump this year on both the offensive and defensive sides of the floor. Jaheem has had a great summer so far, and we are looking forward to continuing to develop him as the summer and fall progress."
The True Freshmen
Jeremiah Jackson, No. 0
Freshman | Guard | 6'4"
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Previously: Saint Xaiver HS
Jackson was named 2026 KABC 7th Region Player of the Year as a senior and was the Louisville Invitational Tournament MVP during junior and senior seasons. He was a 26th District All-Tournament Team member as a sophomore and junior. Jackson was voted Second-Team All-State, a Kentucky Junior All-Star, Courier-Journal 7th Region Player of the Year, King of the Bluegrass All-Tournament Team as a junior. He was named King of the Bluegrass MVP and Holiday Classic All-Tournament Team MVP as a sophomore.
Coach Nagy says: "Jeremiah comes to us as a true freshman after having a great career at Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, which is one of the best high school programs in the state of Kentucky. Jeremiah is a big guard who can shoot it at all three levels."
Ty Laur, No. 50
Freshman | Forward/Center | 6'9"
Hometown: Pinckneyville, Illinois
Previously: Pinckneyville HS
Laur attended Pinckneyville High School and was named a two-time SIRR All-Conference and First Team IBCA All-State. He was also selected First Team AP Poll All-State. His father, Matt, is in the McKendree University Hall of Fame as the school's all-time leading scorer and a four-time NAIA All-American. He also played professionally in Europe and in the NBA D-League.
Coach Nagy says: "We are excited to have another Southern Illinois player on our team. At only 17 years old, Ty is already a proven scorer and rebounder from Pinckneyville. My staff and I are excited to develop Ty into the special player he can be at the Division I level."
Pietro Ranieri, No. 5
Freshman | Forward | 6'10"
Hometown: Fidenza, Italy
Previously: Golden State Prep
Ranieri played the 2025-26 season at Golden State Prep in Oakland, California, after playing for Fulgor Fidenza in the Serie B Nazionale. He had a season-high 12 points against Agrigento on April 19, 2026.
Coach Nagy says: "After playing at Golden State Prep in California last season and watching his film, we knew we needed to recruit Pietro hard. We are looking forward to developing Pietro into his role at the 4/5 spot this season. Pietro is a capable 3-point shooter, which at his position will allow us to stretch the floor even more."
Luke Susko, No. 24
Freshman | Guard | 6'6"
Hometown: Flower Mound, Texas
Previously: Marcus HS
Susko attended Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas, where he averaged 24 points and 14 rebounds in his career. He broke NBA star Marcus Smart's career rebound record at the school. His brother, Brock, played college basketball at New York University.
Coach Nagy says: "As a senior in high school, Luke broke his school's career rebounding record, which was held by Marcus Smart. In Luke's first couple of weeks here, he became one of our leading rebounders. On top of his extensive rebounding efforts, Luke is a very dangerous shooter. We are looking forward to the impact that Luke will make on our team right away."
The Transfers
Jaxson Fugate, No. 23
Junior | Guard/Forward | 6'6"
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Previously: Indiana Tech
Last season, Fugate started all 30 games, leading the Warriors with 20.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. He scored a career-high 40 points against Lawrence Tech on Jan. 28, 2026. He also notched 11 double-doubles. Fugate was named the WHAC Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference, and WHAC All-Defensive Team.
Coach Nagy says: "Jaxson comes to us from a very successful stint at Indiana Tech. Jaxson was named an NAIA All-American and averaged 20 points and eight rebounds. Our staff is excited to help Jaxson continue to grow and develop, and we are looking for Jaxson to make an immediate impact on our team on both ends of the floor."
Christian Gilliland, No. 2
Sophomore | Guard | 6'2"
Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
Previously: Pearl River Community College
A dynamic scorer, Gilliland averaged 23.2 points in 31 games for Pearl River and shot 54.7 percent from the field, 45.1 percent from 3-point range, and 88.8 percent from the free-throw line. He added 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Gilliland was named to the NJCAA All-America Honorable Mention list.
Coach Nagy says: "We are excited to have Christian as a Saluki this year. Christian is a combo guard who is a proven scorer with lightning speed. After watching film on Christian, I knew that we needed him to be a Saluki. His speed and athleticism will fit our guard position perfectly. Christian and Jalen have a chance to be a very dynamic backcourt."
Donovan Hill, No. 30
Graduate | Forward | 6'8"
Hometown: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Previously: Saint Leo
Hill started 25 of his 26 games played last season for Division II Saint Leo, led the team with 16.3 points per game and 8.3 rebounds. He shot 35.6 percent from three-point range and 75.7 percent from the free-throw line. He scored a season-high 28 points against Embry-Riddle and sunk a season-high seven threes against Florida Southern. He managed eight double-doubles during the season. He also added 2.7 assists per game with 13 blocks and 36 steals. From 2023-25, he started 23 games for Shippensburg, averaging 12.3 points and 10.3 boards per contest. He started his college career at Niagra but did not see action.
Coach Nagy says: "Being a graduate student, Donovan brings a wealth of knowledge to our team as an older player. With previous Division I and Division II experience, Donovan is a proven rebounder and scorer who can make an immediate impact for our team on both ends of the floor."
Brock McClure, No. 88
Junior | Guard | 6'6" | 200
Hometown: Lumberton, Texas
Previously: Snow College
McClure appeared in 32 games, started 25 and averaged 24.6 minutes per game for Snow College. He scored 15.2 point, grabbed 9.1 rebounds, and handed out 1.4 assists per game. He shot 49 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3, and 75 percent from the charity stripe. Before that, he spent the 2021-22 season at Lamar University, where he started 18 games and averaged 6.8 points, 4.8 boards, and 1.0 assists.
Coach Nagy says: "Brock, who is 23 years old, comes to us from Snow College, which is one of the nation's premier junior colleges. Brock brings good size, shooting and rebounding to our team from the guard/wing spot. Brock competes every day and dives on the floor for every loose ball."
