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5 Key Players Driving The Charleston Southern Men's Basketball Resurgence In The 2025-2026 Season

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The Charleston Southern Men's Basketball program is currently navigating a pivotal period, entering the 2025-2026 season with a renewed sense of optimism and a developing identity under former star player and now Head Coach Saah Nimley. As of this current date in December 2025, the Buccaneers hold a promising 7-5 overall record in non-conference play, signaling a potential step forward for the program in the competitive Big South Conference.

This season is crucial for the Buccaneers as they look to build on their early non-conference success, which recently included an explosive 113-90 victory over North Florida on December 18, 2025, a game highlighted by a career-best performance from a breakout scorer. The team's trajectory is firmly in the hands of a young, dynamic roster and a coaching staff deeply rooted in the CSU tradition, aiming to climb the Big South standings and secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament conversation.

The Saah Nimley Era: Biography and Vision of a Buccaneer Legend

The leadership of the Charleston Southern Buccaneers rests with Head Coach Saah Nimley, a figure who embodies the program's history and future. Nimley is preparing for his second full season as the official head coach, though his tenure at CSU stretches back seven seasons in total, a testament to his commitment to the university.

  • Full Name: Saah Nimley
  • Born: June 3, 1993
  • Hometown/Nationality: Liberia (Liberian-American)
  • CSU Playing Career: Nimley was a legendary point guard for the Buccaneers, known for his scoring and playmaking ability. His jersey is one of the most celebrated in program history.
  • Coaching Experience: He served on the CSU staff as an assistant and associate head coach before being named the interim head coach, and then officially the 13th Head Coach of the program.
  • Current Role: Head Coach, Charleston Southern Men's Basketball (2025-2026 is his second full season).
  • Coaching Philosophy: While specific details on his philosophy are developing, his history as a dynamic guard suggests a focus on up-tempo play, guard development, and a strong emphasis on team culture and buy-in. He has publicly acknowledged the importance of the entire community in the team's success, emphasizing a collective effort.

Nimley's transition from star player to head coach provides a unique connection with the current players, offering a perspective rooted in the demands of the Big South Conference. He and his staff, including Associate Head Coach Mike Howland, are tasked with molding a group of talented but relatively young players into a cohesive unit capable of challenging the conference's elite.

5 Buccaneers to Watch: The 2025-2026 Roster’s Core

The 2025-2026 Charleston Southern roster features a blend of returning experience and promising newcomers, all critical to the team’s success. The following five players represent the core of the Buccaneers' attack and defense, with several already making significant impacts in the non-conference slate.

1. Jesse Hafemeister (Guard/Forward)

Hafemeister has emerged as the team's primary offensive weapon early in the 2025-2026 season. His recent 29-point explosion against North Florida showcased his ability to score efficiently and carry the team's offense, making him a major threat in the Big South. His versatility as a taller guard or small forward will be essential for the Buccaneers' offensive spacing and rebounding. He is a player that opposing coaches must game-plan for every night.

2. Armari Carraway (Guard)

A junior guard, Carraway is expected to be a key backcourt presence. His role likely involves handling the ball, distributing, and providing reliable perimeter defense. As a junior, he brings valuable experience and stability to the guard rotation, a necessity for navigating the high-pressure Big South schedule.

3. A'lahn Sumler (Guard)

Sumler, a redshirt junior guard, is another veteran presence in the backcourt. His experience and maturity are vital for a team looking to improve its conference record. Players like Sumler often provide the leadership and consistency needed during conference play's inevitable ups and downs.

4. Brycen Blaine (Guard/Forward)

Blaine is one of the many names on the roster expected to contribute to the team's depth and production. In Nimley's system, which likely favors dynamic play, versatile players like Blaine who can play multiple positions are highly valued for their matchup flexibility.

5. The Brafford Brothers (Devin and Nate Brafford)

While technically two players, the Brafford brothers represent the critical depth and frontcourt potential for the Buccaneers. Having two players with a familial connection and similar skill sets can often create a unique chemistry and competitive edge on the court. Their development throughout the season will be a major factor in CSU's ability to compete with the Big South’s stronger interior teams.

Big South Battle: Schedule, Predictions, and Conference Goals

The 2025-2026 season presents a challenging but manageable path for Charleston Southern. The non-conference schedule has already tested the Buccaneers with matchups against teams like East Carolina and a high-profile road game against the University of South Carolina, which serves as a crucial measuring stick for the program's growth.

The Road to the Big South Tournament

The Buccaneers play their home games at the Buccaneer Field House, a venue they hope to turn into a fortress during conference play. The ultimate goal remains a strong finish in the Big South Conference standings and a deep run in the Big South Tournament, which is the only guaranteed path to the NCAA Tournament.

In the previous season, CSU finished in a respectable 7th place in the conference, an achievement that was significantly boosted by the stellar play of former Big South Player of the Year, Taje Kelly. The challenge for the 2025-2026 squad is to find new scoring and leadership to replace that production.

Conference Predictions and Expectations

Early predictions for the 2025-2026 Big South season place Charleston Southern in the middle-to-lower tier of the league. Some models project the Buccaneers to finish with a conference record around 6-10. This prediction indicates that while the team is not expected to contend for the regular-season title—a spot likely reserved for preseason favorites like High Point—there is a clear path to exceeding expectations.

Success for the Buccaneers will be defined by several key performance indicators:

  • Player Development: The continued emergence of Jesse Hafemeister as a consistent 20-point scorer.
  • Guard Play: Solidifying the backcourt with consistent production and low turnovers from Armari Carraway and A'lahn Sumler.
  • Home Court Advantage: Protecting the Buccaneer Field House against conference rivals like Radford, Winthrop, and Presbyterian.
  • Defensive Consistency: Improving the overall team defense to complement their high-scoring potential, as evidenced by the high-scoring win against North Florida.

Under Saah Nimley’s guidance, Charleston Southern Men's Basketball is embracing a culture of competitive grit and local pride. With a solid non-conference record already in hand, the Buccaneers are poised to surprise their Big South rivals and prove that the program is ready to take the next step toward becoming a perennial conference contender.

5 Key Players Driving the Charleston Southern Men's Basketball Resurgence in the 2025-2026 Season
charleston southern men's basketball
charleston southern men's basketball

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