NAMPA, Idaho – Northwest Nazarene men's basketball head coach
Jon Hawkins has completed the signings of eight more recruits to join the 2025-26 Nighthawks squad. Along with the three freshmen that were
announced back in March, Hawkins has brought in five freshmen and six transfers to fill out the team.
NNU men's basketball is coming off of their third NCAA Regional appearance in the last five seasons after tying their DII program record for wins in a season with 20 and finishing second in the GNAC for the third time in the last four years.
See below for information on the eight new signees.
Kyelin King
So. | Guard | 6'5" | San Diego, Calif. | Legacy HS (S.C.) | Cal State San Marcos
King comes to Nampa as a sophomore after spending his freshman campaign at Cal State San Marcos. In his first collegiate season, he appeared in 24 games with seven starts for the Cougars, averaging 7.0 points and 2.1 rebounds in 14.8 minutes per game. He had a pair of 20+ point outbursts, scoring a season-high 24 against Cal State San Bernardino on Dec. 7 and 20 against national runner-up Cal State Dominguez Hills on Feb. 1.
Before attending Legacy early college in South Carolina, King played for Lincoln High School in San Diego, where he was his league's Defensive Player of the Year and earned First Team honors as a junior. He was also recognized on the Honor Roll in high school.
From Kyelin: "I chose NNU because I loved the program and everything that it has to offer."
From Coach Hawkins: "Kyelin's athleticism and how hard he plays have stood out to us since he was in HS. His ability to guard 1-4 and get his feet in the paint off the bounce allowed him to have a successful freshman year in the CCAA."
RJ Chatman
Jr. | Point Guard | 5'9" | Garland, Texas | Sachse HS | Murray State College
Chatman joins the program after two seasons at Murray State College in Oklahoma. In his two seasons, he played in 60 games and started 59 of them, averaging 8.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. In the 2024-25 year, he was a Preseason All-Conference selection and led the conference in assists per game at 4.8 during his sophomore campaign.
Chatman graduated from Sachse High School in Garland, Texas as the program's all-time leader in points, assists, three-pointers, and steals. He was a three-time First Team All-District pick and was named to the TABC All-Region Team twice.
From RJ: "I chose NNU because it is a Christian school and allows me to stay connected in my walk with God while simultaneously getting my degree. I also get an opportunity to play for a great basketball program and compete at a high level."
From Coach Hawkins: "RJ is another creator who in the last two years has had a tremendous assist-turnover ratio. He can create shots for others, keep the defense honest by his shooting capabilities, and has a passion to get stops on the other end."
Garrett Hawkes
Sr. | Guard | 6'3" | Ashton, Idaho | North Fremont HS | Eastern Oregon University
Hawkes, a native of eastern Idaho, comes back to the Gem State after two seasons at Eastern Oregon University and one before that at the College of Southern Idaho. In his two years at EOU, he scored 1,025 points, averaging 18.0 points per game across 57 games while being named First Team All-Conference both seasons. Last season, he led the Cascade Conference in scoring at 18.7 points per game while shooting 41% from three-point range.
Hawkes was a standout three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and track & field at North Fremont High School in Ashton. He scored 1,501 points in his high school career and was named the 2018-19 Idaho 2A Player of the Year and 2A State Tournament MVP as he led his squad to the first state championships in school history. He was also named First Team All-State in both his junior and senior seasons.
From Garrett: "I choose NNU for the competitive culture and success they have had. From the moment I met the coaching staff I knew I would be pushed to my best and help our team be successful."
From Coach Hawkins: "Garrett will immediately bring his scoring capabilities to the table. He was the leading scorer in the Cascade Conference last year and was at the top of the list in several categories: 3pt FG made, 3pt%, as well as steals."
Jaden Byers
Sr. | Point Guard | 6'2" | Riverside, California | Rancho Christian HS | West Virginia State
Byers has found his way to Northwest Nazarene after stops at the University of the Pacific, Fullerton College, and most recently West Virginia State University. In one season at WVSU last year, he played in all 26 games while starting six, averaging 9.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.
Byers was a standout prep player at Rancho Christian, helping lead his team to a national ranking as high as No. 10 in the USA Today rankings and being named a McDonald's All-American Game nominee as a senior. He also excelled in the classroom as a 4.0 student in his high school career.
From Jaden: "I chose Northwest Nazarene because the people were really friendly and made me feel welcome. I liked how close and supportive the community was, especially with the basketball program. And I felt like NNU could help me grow in my faith and my walk with Christ."
From Coach Hawkins: "A play maker through and through. Jaden has the capabilities to really get by defenders any time he wants in the half and open court, his free-throw attempts from last year show his presence in the key. The team will look to him to create not only for himself but also teammates using his athleticism."
Michael Day
Jr. | Center | 6'10" | Middleton, Idaho | Middleton HS | University of Evansville
Day is back in the Treasure Valley after spending two seasons at DI Evansville in Indiana. He played in 27 games for the Purple Aces, notching career highs of 13 points against Ball State, seven rebounds against Ohio State, and two blocks against Ohio State.
In his high schools days at Middleton, he was part of a program that won a state championship and took third at state another year. In his junior year, he averaged 8.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per contest.
From Michael: "I chose NNU because I felt like I had a great relationship with the coaches, it's close to home, has my major, and I wanted to win games and I know we will."
From Coach Hawkins: "We are blessed to have Michael come back home. His ability to make plays with the ball in his hands will be vital as we use him in our offensive execution. His motor has always stood out to us since watching him during his Middleton days."
Preston Sherburne
R-So. | Guard | 6'2" | Meridian, Idaho | Owyhee HS | Corban University
Sherburne comes to NNU after two seasons at Corban University in Oregon, where he saw action in 15 games with a career-high 12 points against Evergreen State.
He played four years of varsity basketball and two years of football at nearby Owyhee High School. On the court, Sherburne averaged 5.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game while helping lead the team to a 5A Idaho State Championship in 2022.
From Preston: "I chose NNU to grow my faith as well as impact others. I also want to be apart of the family environment the school and team provides, and help put some banners in the gym!"
From Coach Hawkins: "Preston immediately brings a competitor fire and toughness. He will surely elevate all areas of our program as a result of his character."
Josh Mizar
Fr. | Guard | 6'2" | Weiser, Idaho | Weiser HS
Mizar is a local product out of Weiser High School, where he earned a pair of All-Conference honors, including one First Team, and was named a State All-Star. He also played football and ran track at Weiser, and was a member of the National Honor Society.
From Josh: "I chose NNU because I loved the community and the Christ-centered energy that they have. I also loved the coaching staff and the teammates that I will have."
From Coach Hawkins: "Josh brings a worth ethic, level of toughness with his addition. He will elevate all areas of our program by the man he is on and off the court."
David Zhuang
Fr. | Guard | 6'0" | Boise, Idaho | Bishop Kelly HS
Zhuang is another local product out of Bishop Kelly, where he was a three-year varsity athlete and helped his team to a third-place finish at state in 2024. His BK squad also went undefeated in the SIC for the first time in over 20 years.
From David: "I chose NNU because of its community and strong positive culture."
From Coach Hawkins: "David's passion for the game in unmatched, and he is already improving his strength and basketball skills due to his worth ethic. He loves the game and will love his teammates well."
