Tuesday, Oct. 29 | 7 p.m. | Global Credit Union Arena | Phoenix, Arizona.
	EASTERN NEW MEXICO GREYHOUNDS	at	GRAND CANYON LOPES
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When Grand Canyon takes the court at Global Credit Union Arena for the first time Tuesday night, much of the excitement will revolve around the returnees as they celebrate last season's successes and anticipate this season's potential.

What takes GCU's prospects to another level this season is the group of players Lope Nation will see play for the first time in the exhibition game against Eastern New Mexico at 7 p.m.

Many programs would be optimistic about achieving two double-digit results. GCU added a double-digit scoring duo in Senior JaKobe Colesa 6-foot-8 forward transfer from TCU and sophomore Makaih Williamsa 6-2 guard transferring from UT Arlington.

The Lopes return five of their top six players from a 30-5 team, but will still look different at first glance with additional reinforcements coming from the sophomore guard Caleb Shaw and a heralded freshman trio from the middle Austin MasonPoint guard Styles Phipps and forward Sammie Yeanay.

Coles brings the most experience with 106 career games and three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances at TCU, where he averaged 10.0 points and 3.8 rebounds in 20.5 minutes per game last season.

The Denton, Texas native steps into the starting power forward spot he left behind Gabe McGlothannow with the Denver Nuggets' G League affiliate. He brings a new twist to the position with a specialty in mid-range shooting and playmaking ability at a spot frequently used in GCU's offensive system.

“When people take a good look at me for the first time, they'll see that I'm a pretty talented person and can play a variety of positions,” Coles said. “I have a feeling they will like the way I play and I hope I bring a winning mentality to the team.”

Coles ranked 12th in the Big 12 in player efficiency rating and shot a TCU-best 42.2% from 3-point range last season. Williams represents another long-range threat for GCU after ranking 18th nationally last season shooting 45.4% on 3-pointers as UT Arlington's starter.

Last season's WAC Freshman of the Year went through Global Credit Union Arena as a conference opponent last season, but is desperate to have the Havocs on his side this time around. The enthusiastic student fan base camped out on the quad for the exhibition game, which included the presentation of WAC championship rings and unveiling of banners.

Williams will show GCU he's more than a shooter after averaging 10.8 points in 24.4 minutes per game for UT Arlington. He moves into the role of sixth man, where he emphasizes his speed, his playing strength and his defense as an energizer.

“When we start slow, the second unit always has to come in, bring the energy and get the team going,” Williams said. “I just have a different role, like I was actually a second starter.”

His ability to catch and shoot will open up lanes for teammates, but Williams said his ability to read the passing lanes and advance the ball in transition has been underestimated.

“His style of play gives us some speed and outside shooting that we needed,” GCU head coach said Bryce Drew said.

Lopes 6-foot-6 sophomore guard Caleb Shaw is a familiar face after redshirting last season. He will be playing his first season for Drew, his uncle and assistant coach Casey Shawhis father after averaging 5.2 points for Northern Colorado during the 2022-23 season.

Shaw provides GCU with nine players who have at least one season of rotation experience, as well as a 6-foot-2 senior forward Traivar Jacksona transfer player from Tarleton State who plans to redshirt this season.

The next level of new impact comes from the freshman trio. Yeanay was rated as one of the top 100 recruits and plays with a physical, agile body of 1.80 m and 110 kg, which his age of 18 does not allow.

“Sammie is very instinctive as a player,” Drew said. “He does a great job when it comes to live action. The jump we're seeing is picking up the plays we're making and focusing on the defensive position. If he can add all of that to his great instincts and great skills, then he is. He will be the special player we all want.

As Phipps finished playing at St. Mary's High School in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, Arizona Preps' top-rated point guard bolstered his 6-2 frame and showed he could make an immediate impact as a pass-first point guard could take the program.

While 7-foot-1 freshman Dennis Evans After being sidelined with injury, Maurer was able to repeat to become a 7-foot presence after being named the Gatorade Player of the Year at Oregon, where he was the starter Duke Brennan was also born before his family moved to the valley.

“Austin is a tough player and a feisty guy,” Brennan said. “We competed against each other. That was good for me as a freshman going up against Warren Washington, who played at Texas Tech last year. I learned so much to get to where I am now.”

The Lopes also restructured the staff and hired an assistant coach Jermaine Kimbroughwho is entering his 24th collegiate coaching season after most recently serving as assistant head coach at Arizona State.

“He brought a level of intensity and energy that we try to match every day,” GCU senior guard said Ray Harrison said of Kimbrough.