The NKU men’s basketball had an up and down year last season compared to previous years in the Horizon League. They had a hard time finding their footing in January, where they lost six straight games with only one being within single digits. The Norse would then find their groove as they went 7-2 to end the regular season.
That end was still not enough to get a first round bye in the Horizon League tournament. That meant Northern Kentucky would face an opening round matchup with the Detroit Mercy Titans. That regular season momentum carried over as the Norse trounced the Titans on the way to a 24 point opening round victory.
That set up NKU to be one win away from reaching the tournament semifinals in Indianapolis. To get there, they would have to get through a tough defensive battle with the Cleveland State Vikings. It was a tough start for the Norse as they failed to make their second field goal of the night until nearly halfway through the first half. Despite a valiant effort the rest of the way, NKU came up five points short and their season was over.
That loss ended the season at 17 wins for Northern Kentucky and a quarterfinal exit in the postseason. The quarterfinal exit was the worst finish under head coach Darrin Horn and the 17 wins was the second worst outcome under Horn since he began coaching the Norse.
Horn agreed that they missed the standard they have set for themselves.
“When we miss that mark, it’s not okay. People are not going to be happy with it and we’re not happy with it either,” he said.
NKU can start fresh this season as they are an almost completely revamped team. Cornerstones Sam Vinson and Trey Robinson finished their illustrious careers with the Norse. Eight other players from last season won’t be suiting up for Northern Kentucky either due to graduation or transferring.
The Norse will have five returners on this year’s team, but two of those are walk-ons and another was a redshirt last season. With only two returners who played significant minutes, NKU focused on attacking the DI, DII, and JUCO transfer portal to fill out their roster. They also signed two highly touted freshmen to add to the depth of the team coming into the season.
Returning Players
LJ Wells, 6-8, F, Eau Claire, Wis, Eau Claire Memorial High School
Wells is the longest-tenured Norse remaining on the roster. He comes into his senior season fresh off a season in which he started half of the 32 games he appeared in. He averaged 7.3 PPG on a career best 48% overall and 5.3 RPG.
Dan Gherezgher, 6-4, G, Brookfield, Wis, Brookfield East High School
A fellow Wisconsin native, Gherezgher joins Wells as the only returner who played significant minutes last season. He joined NKU last season after two seasons at Michigan Tech where he averaged 15 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 2.3 APG.
Gherezgher struggled to find his footing to begin the season in the adjustment from the DII to the DI level. He caught fire later in the season, becoming a big part of the great momentum once February started, as he posted eight of his nine double digit outings in from that point on. He averaged 9.8 PPG and shot 40% from deep on the season. Gherezgher decided a return was the best option for him after briefly entering his name in the transfer portal after the season.
Donovan Rakotonanahary, 6-6, G/F, Antavaro, Madagascar, Oak Hill Academy Rakotonanahary is presumed to be the last returner to possibly see significant minutes. He took a redshirt season last season, so this will be the first action Norse fans get to see of him. His high school numbers at Oak Hill Academy suggest Rakotonanahary could be a difference maker. He averaged 12.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.1 SPG, and 1.3 BPG while shooting 59% from the floor.
He made his name well-known at more than Oak Hill Academy. He was also a member of the U19 World Cup Madagascar team and earned a silver medal at the U18 Africa Championship while averaging 11.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, and 2 SPG.
Incoming Players
Ryan Tolliver, 6-7, G/F, Hartford, Conn, Northwest Catholic High School
Ryan Toliver is one of the two true freshmen to join the Norse this upcoming season. At Northwest, he led the team to a 24-4 record on the way to a state title. He averaged 18 PPG, 8 RPG, 3 APG, and 2 SPG in his final season at Northwest. He was also a nominee for the McDonald’s All-American game.
JJ Apathjang, 6-4, G, Salt Lake City, Utah, Judge Memorial Catholic
Apathjang is the other half of the true-freshmen dynamic duo that was a nominee for the McDonald’s All-American game. He scored double figures in every game during his senior season. His junior season was equally as impressive as he was named 3A player of the year after averaging 18.9 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and 4.5 APG.
Ethan Elliot, 6-3, G, Perth, Australia, Joondalup
Elliot is another player listed with freshman standing but has more basketball experience. The freshman guard is coming off a season with Joondalup in the NBLI. He averaged 21.5 PPG, 5.5 APG, 4 RPG, and 2 SPG at the semi-professional level.
Donovan Oday, 6-2, G, Arlington, Texas, Cal State Fullerton
Donovan Oday has seen DI action at two places in his college career, starting with McNeese State and most recently Cal State Fullerton. He averaged 12.8 PPG, 5 RPG, and 1 SPG in his most recent season and will be one of the most experienced players for the Norse as he enters his senior season.
Horn is thrilled to have a player of Oday’s caliber on the roster.
“[He’s] the most dynamic perimeter athlete we’ve had since I’ve been at NKU,” he said.
Projected Starting Lineup
G- Dan Gherezgher
G- Donovan Oday
G/F- Shawn Nelson
F- Ryan Tolliver
F- LJ Wells
NKU and Horn are coming off a season that did not match the standard of what is expected in Highland Heights. With a completely overhauled team, the Norse have the opportunity to return to Horizon League prominence.
Preview Week 2025-26
MBB: Preseason Poll | Preseason All-League | Preseason Awards
WBB: Preseason Poll | Preseason All-League | Preseason Awards
Cleveland State (MBB | WBB) | Detroit Mercy (MBB | WBB) | Green Bay (MBB | WBB) | IU Indy (MBB | WBB)
Milwaukee (MBB | WBB) | Northern Kentucky (MBB | WBB) | Oakland (MBB | WBB) | Purdue Fort Wayne (MBB | WBB)
Robert Morris (MBB | WBB) | Wright State (MBB | WBB) | Youngstown State (MBB | WBB)
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