We are days away from the start of the 2025-26 college basketball season. Around the Mountain West, there are a ton of intriguing teams with brand new rosters and coaching staffs that we’re itching to see. But what about players?! Here are my five-most intriguing players heading into the new season!
Let’s dive right into it!
Andrew Meadow, F, Boise State
I have talked about Meadow before, but he had an incredibly strong end to last season, averaging 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and one steal on 46.1/37.5/80.0 shooting splits over
his last 11 games. He was, consistently, one of Leon Rice’s most impactful players, even though his efficiency tailed off in the Mountain West Tournament despite being active on the glass and defensively. Boise reloaded with Drew Fielder and
Joel Armotrading, F/C, Nevada
Steve Alford wanted to get more athletic in the frontcourt this season. They snagged Fresno State transfer Elijah Price in the portal, but Armotrading, a UC Riverside transfer, is another piece to that puzzle. In 33 games (31 starts) last season, he averaged 5.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. He’s going to have to be more discipline. But Armotrading’s incredibly athletic, and should be one of the Wolf Pack’s most productive rebounders while being one of their top vertical spacers.
Reese Waters, G, San Diego State
Waters missed all of the 2024-25 season with a foot injury. Waters averaged 9.6 points and 3.7 rebounds on 40.1 percent shooting and 34.3 percent from 3-point range. Given SDSU’s depth and that he’s coming off injury, I predicted him to win the conference’s sixth man of the year award — similar to what he did at USC in 2022-23. I could be way off. But I’m intrigued by how much Brian Dutcher leans into his shot-making and offensive punch, given the Aztecs were devoid of shot creation outside of Miles Byrd — who struggled — last season.
Jake Heidbreder, G, Fresno State
You may remember Heidbreder from his time at Air Force from 2021-23. He made the All-MW team in ‘22-23 after averaging 15.1 points on 48.8 percent shooting and 39.9 percent from 3-point range before transferring to Clemson, where he spent two seasons (one redshirt). He’s now back — but with Fresno State, one of the worst teams in the MW. He’s easily their best player, but I’m intrigued by how he’s evolved his game since we last saw him at Air Force. He’ll be atop every scouting report. That much is certain.
Josh Pascarelli, G, Colorado State
Ali Farokhmanesh’s motion-laden offense has been one of the MW’s best the last two seasons. Now, he’ll have a new man in charge in Marist transfer Josh Pascarelli, who averaged 15.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game on 56.7 percent true shooting last year. He was sensational last season, and I think his shot-making and on- and off-ball prowess will fit seamlessly into what Farokhmanesh wants to do.
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Who are the players you’re most intrigued by?! Let us know in the comments!
