ST. LOUIS - Spalding men's basketball is selected to finish second and grabbed a first-place vote in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) this year, according to the 2026 SLIAC coaches' preseason poll.
Spalding University was picked 2nd with 55 points and one first-place vote. Head Coach
Kevin Gray will have a young team with 12 freshman and four sophomores on the roster, although he has an experienced returner to build around in forward
Lekendrick Morris. The sophomore stood out in his first collegiate season, averaging 15.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while shooting 71-percent from the field and earning First Team All-Conference honors.
DeAireus Wells was another freshman last year that saw plenty of minutes, averaging 8.4 points per game. Other returners looking to make a jump this season are
Jaelen Leavell,
Levi Langley,
Brunley Fon, and
Daylyn Redden. Top newcomers include Hendrich Bajalo,
Stephen Franklin, O'jare Murrell,
Zen Coomer,
Santana Anderson, and Dalmere Clark.
Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
#1 Webster - 64 (8)
#2 Spalding - 55 (1)
#3 MUW - 48
#4 Lyon - 38
#5 Greenville - 37
#6 Blackburn - 34
#7 Eureka - 21
#8 Westminster - 18
#9 Principia - 9
