Robert Morris comes into 2025-26 with plenty to prove. After capturing the Horizon League regular season title last season with a 15-5 conference mark and an overall 26-9 record, the Colonials are now aiming to defend that top spot and make a deeper postseason run. Last season, RMU was among the better scoring teams in the league, averaging 77.0 points per game while holding opponents to 71.0 PPG. However, in the NCAA Tournament, the Colonials fell just short of a fairytale upset, giving No. 2 seed Alabama all they could handle before losing 90-81 in the first round.
The offseason has been a busy one for head coach Andrew Toole and his staff as they attempt to rebuild after major roster turnover. Longtime contributors such as Alvaro Folgueiras, who was last season’s Horizon League Player of the Year, have transferred out, and other core pieces like Kam Woods, DJ Smith, and Amarion Dickerson also departed. With so much turnover, the 2025-26 roster is a mixture of new faces and transfers hoping to form chemistry quickly.
“Every year we try as hard as we can to create a schedule that will prepare and test us for all we will face in Horizon League play,” said Toole. “Creating this year’s schedule was a little bit harder than it’s been in the last couple of years, but I feel like we’ve accomplished that goal once again. We have great road tests and challenging home games that will hopefully excite our fan base to come out and get an early glimpse of the ’25-’26 Robert Morris Colonials.”
While RMU may not have the continuity that many league opponents return with, the coaching staff has emphasized cohesion, defensive intensity, and smart shot selection as pillars to build on.
One major offseason highlight is the release of the 2025-26 schedule. The Colonials will play 11 nonconference games, including road trips to Iowa, Drake, and St. Bonaventure, and a home multi-team event to kick things off. Those tough nonleague tests will provide early signals about where this rebuilt team stands.
Given the roster shakeup, much of RMU’s success will hinge on how fast the newcomers can gel and whether the returning core can assume leadership roles. The margin for error may be slimmer this year, but the potential upside is there if the pieces fall into place.
Returning Players
Despite a remarkable 26–9 record and a Horizon League Tournament title in the 2024–25 season, Robert Morris University men’s basketball faced substantial roster changes in the offseason. Key contributors such as guards Kam Woods, Josh Corbin, and DJ Smith, along with forward Stephaun Walker, entered the transfer portal, seeking new opportunities elsewhere. Additionally, forward Alvaro Folgueiras, the Horizon League Player of the Year, committed to Iowa, further depleting the team’s core. These departures have left the Colonials with a significantly reshaped roster as they prepare for the upcoming season. A few players, however, decided to stick around and continue on with the Colonials.
Ryan Prather Jr., R-Jr, G, Clarksburg, MD (Akron)
Prather transferred into the program and brings backcourt depth and experience. In limited action last season, he showed flashes as a reliable ballhandler and secondary scorer. His familiarity with mid-major conference play will be valuable in stabilizing the backcourt.
Josh Hill, So, G/F, Laurel, MD (Arkansas State)
Hill, a former Arkansas State transfer, offers size and versatility on the wing. At 6-11, he has the ability to guard multiple positions and contribute in scoring, especially as a shooter or slasher depending on matchups. His development through the offseason will be crucial.
Incoming Players
Eddie Cooke III, Fr, F, Atlanta, GA (Legacy Early College HS)
Cooke is a local high school recruit who committed as part of RMU’s 2025 class. He brings potential as a wing scorer and rebounder. While still raw, having a freshman who can contribute minutes right away is a boon for a roster in transition.
Kaleb Brown, Sr, G, Huntsville, AL (Missouri / Cal State Fullerton)
Brown arrives at Robert Morris as one of the most experienced additions to the roster. With time at both Missouri and Cal State Fullerton under his belt, he brings maturity, leadership, and the ability to contribute immediately. His veteran presence should help steady the Colonials in tight, high-pressure situations.
Cam Wilds, Jr, F, Virginia Beach, VA (Clarion transfer)
Wilds offers frontcourt depth and physicality. His time at Clarion gives him a foundation, and under RMU’s system he could push for a significant role, especially in rebounding and interior defense.
Ta’Zir Smith, R-So, G, Woodbridge, VA (Pearl River CC / State Fair CC transfer)
Smith is a transfer guard who can bring scoring punch and some size to RMU’s perimeter. He has the potential to stretch defenses, initiate offense, and help shoulder ball-handling duties.
Additional transfers / recruits
The full roster currently also includes DeSean Goode, and other transfers whose roles may evolve as the season progresses. Some earlier reports mention RMU has targeted a few high-upside names previously rated as 4-star recruits. Given the roster holes, the Colonials will likely rely on these new faces heavily.
Projected Starting Roster
G – Ryan Prather Jr.
G – Ta’Zir Smith
G/F – Josh Hill
F – Cam Wilds
F – Eddie Cooke III
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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