Santiago Canyon College Basketball
Season 10 Volume 1
2026-27 Team Preview
The Santiago Canyon College men’s basketball team enters the 2026-27 season with high expectations, a talented roster, and a new group of players ready to make their mark in the Orange Empire Conference. The Hawks open the season ranked No. 11 in the state of California and No. 6 in Southern California, establishing themselves as a team to watch as they pursue another successful campaign.
Santiago Canyon has built a reputation for sustained success, consistently competing for conference championships and making deep postseason runs. The program captured an Elite 8 State Championship in 2020 with a 28-2 record while being ranked #1 for most of the season. They finished with a record of 24-7 in 2024-25, winning the Orange Empire Conference regular season championship and advancing to the CCCAA quarterfinals. That standard of excellence continues to shape the program as the Hawks prepare for another demanding season.
This year's team features a unique combination of returning experience and developing talent. Only three players, sophomores Jacob De Armas, Dominic Bolton, and Jayden Oei, saw action for the Hawks last season. Seven additional players, Marcus Fernandez, McKel Shedrick, Kamerin Lewis, Caleb Peele, Kingston Birdsong, Te'Mar Colley, and Mathys Rudel, redshirted last year and enter this season with another year of development under their belts. The remainder of the roster includes newcomers Nick Giarrusso, Christien Jimenez, Ethan Wadman, Evan Nayback, Jayden Mysin, and Noah Barker who bring new talent to a program looking to maintain its place among the region's top teams.
The Hawks will rely on their athleticism, defensive versatility, perimeter shooting, and ability to create opportunities for one another. With a roster featuring multiple playmakers, capable shooters, and versatile defenders, Santiago Canyon has the potential to be a difficult matchup for opponents. As with any team featuring so many players stepping into expanded roles, consistency, communication, and continued development will be essential.
Returning Players:
#3 Jacob De Armas | Sophomore | Guard | 6'4", 195 lbs.
De Armas returns as one of the Hawks' most dynamic two-way players after earning First Team All-Conference recognition last season. An explosive athlete who can attack the basket, create his own offense, and finish through traffic, Jacob gives Santiago Canyon a versatile scoring threat. His defensive instincts, anticipation, and ability to disrupt passing lanes also make him an important presence on the other end of the floor. As a returning starter, De Armas will be counted on to provide production, toughness, and leadership as the Hawks pursue another conference championship.
#25 Dominic Bolton | Sophomore | Guard | 6'3", 190 lbs.
Bolton returns as one of the premier perimeter shooting threats in the Orange Empire Conference. He shot 45.9 percent from three-point range last season and combines a quick release with the ability to knock down shots off the catch and create opportunities off the dribble. Dominic's understanding of spacing, work ethic, and willingness to play within the team concept make him a valuable offensive weapon. His shooting ability can stretch opposing defenses and create driving lanes for his teammates, while his rebounding and defensive contributions add to his overall value.
#10 Jayden Oei | Sophomore | Guard | 6'0", 185 lbs.
Oei returns with the ability to change a game through his scoring and shot-making. A confident offensive player, Jayden can make difficult shots, score from the perimeter, and create his own offense when possessions break down. His scoring versatility gives the Hawks another option when they need a basket. Continued attention to ball movement, cutting, and making quick decisions will help him maximize his scoring ability while making the entire offense more effective.
Redshirt Players Ready to Contribute:
#4 Marcus Fernandez | Freshman | Guard | 6'0", 180 lbs.
Fernandez enters his first season of competition after redshirting last year and has emerged as an intriguing perimeter threat. Marcus is a capable shooter who understands how to find opportunities without forcing shots, and his ability to anticipate passes creates chances for deflections and steals. He has also shown the ability to compete defensively. His combination of shooting, instincts, and decision-making gives him an opportunity to become an important contributor in the Hawks' backcourt.
#15 McKel Shedrick | Freshman | Guard | 6'2", 160 lbs.
Shedrick brings point-guard skills, perimeter shooting, and the ability to make plays for others. A smart guard with sneaky athleticism, McKel can pass, score, and help organize the offense. His development will depend on bringing consistent effort and physicality to the defensive end. If he continues to build consistency on both sides of the ball, he has the tools to provide valuable depth and playmaking for Santiago Canyon.
#21 Kamerin Lewis | Freshman | Guard | 6'1", 200 lbs.
Lewis gives the Hawks a physical, versatile defender who can make life difficult for opponents across multiple positions. Strong for his size and willing to embrace difficult assignments, Kamerin has the ability to guard positions one through five in the right matchups. He also brings toughness, rebounding, and the ability to attack the basket. His defensive versatility and competitive approach could make him a particularly valuable piece as the Hawks look to establish their identity on that end of the floor.
#23 Caleb Peele | Freshman | Forward | 6'6", 205 lbs.
Peele provides the Hawks with athleticism, rebounding, and shot-blocking potential on the wing and around the basket. Caleb has the physical tools to impact the game without needing the ball in his hands, particularly through offensive rebounds, defensive stops, and rim protection. His perimeter shooting adds to his overall game, while his athletic ability and potential give him considerable room to grow. Continued development and consistency could allow him to become a significant contributor on both ends of the floor.
#24 Kingston Birdsong | Freshman | Guard | 6'4", 165 lbs.
Birdsong brings length, athleticism, and defensive versatility to the Hawks' wing rotation. He is an active defender who can challenge opponents on the perimeter, contribute on the glass, and provide a threat as a cutter and lob target. Kingston's perimeter shooting gives him another way to contribute offensively, while developing his ball handling, passing, and ability to attack gaps will be important next steps. His defensive ability and athleticism give him a clear path to helping the team in multiple ways.
#33 Te'Mar Colley | Freshman | Guard | 6'1", 160 lbs.
Colley enters the season with a shooting skill that gives him offensive potential. Te'Mar's ability to knock down shots provides an opportunity to stretch defenses and create space for the Hawks' playmakers. As he adjusts to the college game, learning the team's offensive sets, recognizing how to play within the flow of the offense, and improving his defensive consistency will be important areas of growth. His progress in those areas will help determine how he fits into the rotation.
#34 Mathys Rudel | Freshman | Forward | 6'3", 220 lbs.
Rudel brings strength and a physical presence to the frontcourt. Mathys has shown the ability to defend the post and use his body to compete against bigger opponents. His next steps are developing greater polish around the basket, improving his finishing, and becoming more consistent offensively. His strength and willingness to defend provide a foundation on which he can continue to build as he adjusts to the demands of college basketball.
Newcomers and First-Year Contributors:
#2 Nick Giarrusso | Freshman | Guard | 6'5", 195 lbs.
Giarrusso is an intriguing addition to the Hawks' backcourt because of his size, playmaking, and defensive versatility. A big point guard who can get downhill, Nick excels at creating opportunities for teammates, rebounding from the guard position, and defending multiple positions. His length and physicality allow him to take on unusual defensive assignments, including bigger players. His perimeter shooting has added another level to his game, while his overall feel for the game and ability to impact several areas make him an important piece of the Hawks' plans.
#5 Christien Jimenez | Sophomore | Guard | 6'3", 170 lbs.
Jimenez joins Santiago Canyon after playing at Santa Ana College, where he ranked third in the state in assists last season. Christien is an outstanding passer and floor general who excels at reading defenses, creating opportunities for teammates, and controlling the flow of the offense. His ability to make those around him better will be central to the Hawks' offensive identity. He can also attack the basket and score when needed. As he settles into his role with Santiago Canyon, his playmaking and leadership will be important assets for a team integrating several new contributors.
#11 Ethan Wadman | Freshman | Guard | 5'10", 160 lbs.
Wadman brings excellent court awareness, creativity, and a strong understanding of how to make an offense function. Despite his size, Ethan can create opportunities for teammates, make shots, and find solutions against defensive pressure. His passing and ability to read the game give him value as a facilitator, while his competitiveness allows him to hold his own defensively. Continued physical development and confidence against bigger opponents will help him translate those skills into consistent production at the college level.
#12 Evan Nayback | Freshman | Guard | 5'10", 145 lbs.
Nayback is a crafty point guard who can handle the ball, create for teammates, and make defenses work to contain him. Evan has a strong understanding of the game and the ability to generate offense through his dribbling and decision-making. His challenge will be balancing his creativity with quick, decisive play, allowing the offense to maintain its rhythm while taking advantage of his ability to penetrate. Developing strength and becoming more comfortable against physical pressure will also be important as he continues his transition to college basketball.
#13 Jayden Mysin | Freshman | Guard | 6'3", 205 lbs.
Mysin brings strength, intelligence, and an aggressive scoring mentality to the Hawks' wing group. Jayden can shoot from the perimeter and has a developing midrange game, giving him multiple ways to contribute offensively. His physical tools and understanding of the game provide a strong foundation, and gaining confidence and experience at the college level will be key to his development. As he becomes more comfortable with the speed and demands of the game, he has the potential to grow into a productive player for the program.
#32 Noah Barker | Freshman | Guard | 6'3", 180 lbs.
Barker adds size, versatility, and a team-first approach to the roster. Noah can contribute inside and outside, rebound from the guard position, and compete with toughness. He is also a thoughtful, responsible student-athlete who understands the importance of being a good teammate. Continued development and experience will be important as he works toward earning a larger role. His willingness to learn and contribute to the team provides a solid foundation for his first season.
The Hawks open the 2026-27 campaign at home on Thursday, October 29, at 5 p.m. against Glendale. The non-conference schedule will provide an early test against a range of opponents, including Mira Costa, Chaffey, Antelope Valley, Cerro Coso, Southwestern, Palomar, Mt. San Antonio, Cerritos, Modesto, Copper Mountain, Miramar, Long Beach City, and East Los Angeles.
Orange Empire Conference play begins January 6 at home against Saddleback. The conference schedule will feature two meetings with each league opponent, including Riverside City, Orange Coast, Cypress, Irvine Valley, Santa Ana, and Fullerton, as the Hawks work toward positioning themselves for another postseason run.
With three returning players who understand the program, seven redshirts ready for their opportunity, and six newcomers eager to establish themselves, Santiago Canyon has the pieces to make this a compelling season. The challenge will be turning individual talent into a connected, disciplined team that competes consistently on every possession.
The preseason rankings recognize the Hawks' potential, but the team's success will ultimately depend on its daily habits, commitment to one another, and ability to execute when the games matter most. As the season begins, Santiago Canyon will look to build on its tradition of excellence and prove that it belongs among California's top programs once again.
The season begins Thursday, October 29, at 5 p.m. at Santiago Canyon College against Glendale. Go Hawks!
