NAMPA, Idaho - Head Men's Basketball Coach Jon Hawkins has announced the incoming recruiting class for the upcoming season. The Nighthawks welcome nine newcomers to the program which includes six freshmen and four transfers.

The Nighthawks have been one of the top programs in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC), making the NCAA Division II West Regional Round four times since the 2020-21 season and winning the 2022-23 GNAC Tournament. NNU Finished 18-11 overall and 12-6 in conference play before falling to Point Loma in the NCAA West Regional.

Briggs Young joins the Nighthawks from Carlsbad, California. The 6'3" freshman is a graduate of Carlsbad High School. Young was named team MVP in his senior year. 
 

"Briggs brings a wealth of winning experience from his time at Carlsbad and with Players Play. He's a natural connector who has an incredible ability to bring people together, and that will have a tremendous impact on our locker room. His leadership, and understanding of what it takes to build a winning culture make him a valuable addition to our program. We're excited to see the influence he'll have both on the court and within our campus community."
- Jon Hawkins

 
Canaan Magness is a 6'4" freshman from Star, Idaho and a graduate from Owyhee High School. Magness played on Select Pro16 and was a two-time All-State, All-Conference, and Honorable Mention selection. He was also named Conference MVP and holds the Owyhee High School scoring record. Magness was a four-time Academic All-State honoree and plans to major in Pre-Med.
 

"We're thrilled to keep Canaan close to home and welcome him into our program. Coming from one of the premier high school programs in the country, he's been taught the game the right way and understands what winning basketball looks like. We believe there's still so much untapped potential in his game, and that's what makes his future so exciting. We're looking forward to helping Canaan continue to grow both as a basketball player and as a young man during his time at NNU."

 
Christopher Richardson is a 5'10" point guard from Long Beach, California. Richardson is a graduate of Veritas Academy and played for the Compton Magic and Velocity.
 

"CJ has an incredibly bright future ahead of him. What impressed us throughout the recruiting process was his commitment to becoming the best version of himself every single day. He has a tremendous work ethic, embraces coaching, and is always looking for ways to improve his game. Those qualities, combined with his talent, give him an incredibly high ceiling. We're excited to walk alongside CJ as he continues to grow on the court, in the classroom, and in his faith."

 
Behren Ryden comes to NNU from Meridian, Idaho graduating from Meridian High School and played for Idaho Premier. Ryden is a 6'4" guard who earned Honorable Mention honors and was part of the National Honors Society.
  

"Behr is an unbelievable young man who embodies everything we're looking for in our program. He brings a level of toughness and competitiveness that will immediately make us better, but what excites us even more is the person he is. His leadership, character, and daily approach will elevate every area of our program, not just what happens between the lines. We're grateful to welcome Behr into our Nighthawk family and can't wait to see the influence he'll have on those around him."

 
Reece Dent comes from American Fork, Utah and graduated from American Fork High School. The 6'9" freshman also played club for Utah Basketball Club and Salt Lake Rebels. Dent was a standout student, graduating with a 4.0 GPA and was a member of the National Honors Society. Dent plans to major in Mechanical Engineering and Kinesiology.
 

"Reece is another talented freshman with an incredibly bright future. He has the versatility to defend multiple positions and plays every possession with tremendous intensity and energy. His competitive spirit, combined with his willingness to learn, gives him a very high ceiling. We believe Reece has the potential to become a special player, and we're excited to help him develop while watching him grow into the young man God has created him to be."

 
Drew Fisher is a sophomore from Los Angeles, California and is a 2024 graduate from Crespi Carmelite High School. Fisher transfers from Lewis University (Ill.). At Lewis, Fisher played in 19 games, starting in 15 averaging 7.9 points per game. Fisher is the son of five-time NBA Champion with the Los Angeles Lakers and former head coach of the New York Knicks, Derek Fisher.
 

"Andrew is a proven leader whose impact extends far beyond the basketball court. Earning the role of team captain as a true freshman speaks volumes about the respect he earned from his coaches and teammates. He approaches everything he does with professionalism, discipline, and intentionality, qualities that align perfectly with the culture we're building at NNU. We're excited for Andrew to bring his leadership, experience, and example to our program."

 
Jayden Smoot is a 6'3" guard from West Covina, California and is a 2025 graduate of Racho Christian High School where he was named League MVP and Athlete of the Year. Smoot transfers from University of Texas at Arlington.  Smoot played in 19 games for the Mavericks, averaging 2.4 points per game.
 

"Jayden is a dynamic playmaking guard whose greatest strength is his desire to win. He impacts the game on both ends of the floor with his ability to create opportunities offensively while competing relentlessly on the defensive end. His competitive spirit and willingness to do whatever it takes to help his team succeed fit perfectly with the culture we're building. We're excited to watch Jayden continue to grow as both a player and a leader during his time at NNU."

 
Andrew King is a graduate student from Phoenix, Arizona and graduated from Desert Vista High School in 2022 where he won the 2020 6A Arizona State Championship and earned All-State honors. King transferring from Youngstown State and had stints with Houston Christian (2022-23), University of Illinois Chicago (2023-24), and Elon (2024-25). At Youngstown State, King averaged 2.8 points per game in 32 games played while shooting 46.4 percent from the field.
 

"Drew is a true floor general who brings a wealth of experience and basketball knowledge to our program. He has a unique ability to see plays develop before they happen, allowing him to control the game and elevate the players around him. His leadership, decision-making, and understanding of the game make him an outstanding fit for our team. We're excited to see Drew use his gifts to help our program compete at a high level while continuing to grow as a leader on and off the court."

Nick Corbett is from San Jose, Calif. and graduated from Bellarmine Collage Prep in 2024. Corbett transferred from Concordia Irvine (Calif.). With the Golden Eagles, Corbett averaged 9.5 points per game, shooting 52.9 percent from the field.

"Nick is the type of player every coach wants because he has always put the team before himself. Success has followed him everywhere he's been, and that's no coincidence. He brings a physical presence around the basket, rebounds at a high level, and consistently puts pressure on the rim regardless of the matchup. Beyond his production, Nick plays with a selfless mindset that elevates everyone around him. We're excited about the impact he'll make on our program."

 
NNU will open the season with a home exhibition against Walla Walla University on November 7 with the first Mayors' Cup against College of Idaho taking place on November 10.  The Nighthawks will travel to Montana State Billings on December 3 to open up GNAC play.