Completed Event: Men's Basketball at UNLV on February 7, 2026 , Loss , 78, to, 80
M Basketball
at UNLV
L 78-80
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Photo by: David Kadlubowski
Player-by-player primer preps for Bahamas trip
8/10/2023 5:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Paul Coro, Lopes Insider Blog
Drew breaks down GCU's revamped roster before summer games
Like pumpkin spice lattes and Christmas decoration aisles, basketball season is here earlier than expected.
Next week, Grand Canyon will play two games in the Bahamas as part of an international tour that the NCAA allows college teams to take once every four years with extra practice time for it.
That has given Lopes head coach Bryce Drew a better summer look at his team than usual, and this was an ideal year for it with eight new GCU players joining the top players from last season's NCAA tournament team.
Tuesday and Wednesday games in Nassau against Bahamian clubs will reveal more, but the eye test is already telling Drew that this is his tallest, strongest team in four GCU years.
"Top to bottom, for sure," Drew said. "There aren't a lot of easy shots that don't have a high-end contest."
With a deeper look from practices, Drew shared his early thoughts on newcomers and returnees.
Noah Amenhauser
Noah Amenhauser, a 7-foot, 250-pound center from Goodyear Estrella Foothills High School, recently began practicing after being out eight months following a knee surgery. His health and conditioning will determine much of his outlook because Drew is already convinced of his skill level after watching him make hook shots with either hand and show 3-point shooting range.
"He's stronger than ever," Drew said. "He'll be one of the most skilled bigs that GCU has had. Skillwise, he's like a 7-1 Ale (former GCU star Alessandro Lever) probably but passes better."
Josh Baker
Senior guard Josh Baker played last season with a shoulder injury that was repaired with offseason surgery. The Phoenix native is expected to return from his rehabilitation work before the season.
"He adds ballhandling and shooting ability," Drew said. "He blends people together. He's great at impacting winning, even when he might not be filling the stat sheet. He's one of our better perimeter defenders."
Jovan Blacksher Jr.
Senior guard Jovan Blacksher Jr. started last season as Preseason WAC Player of the Year, but his season ended in the second conference game when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee. He has begun court work on his road back from February surgery and Drew hopes he can be fully cleared for October.
"He's ahead of schedule, so he's done a great job," Drew said. "Obviously, it was tough not playing during the season. Once the season was over and he got to the point where he could actually do more a physical type of rehab, he's gone to another level."
Duke Brennan
The all-new rotation look at GCU center will feature sophomore Duke Brennan, a 6-10, 250-pound Arizona State transfer. After logging the most minutes by a Sun Devils freshman in 14 years, the Gilbert native has expanded his game since donning purple for this summer's workouts.
"He keeps getting better," Drew said. "He wasn't called on much to score in his past. We want him to score more. He really moves his feet well for his size. His skills are progressing.
"I'm comfortable with him shooting a 15-, 17-footer, and I'm comfortable with him scoring around the basket with both hands."
Sydney Curry
Even more size and experience comes with the arrival of senior center Sydney Curry, who rattles rims and flexes force at 6-8 and 270 pounds. The Lopes transfer is looking for a bounce-back season after playing at Louisville, where he started 37 games and posted three double-doubles against ACC opponents in 2021-22.
"We like his ability to finish around the rim and athleticism," Drew said. "He brings an element of physicality and toughness, which is great to have at that position."
Malcolm Flaggs
Redshirt freshman guard Malcolm Flaggs, at 6-6 and 200 pounds, came with Brennan from Arizona State. The Arizona native moved from Tuba City to Chandler and grew close with Brennan in their high school years.
"Malcolm was injured pretty much all year last year, so he hasn't really had the chance to play," Drew said.
"He can really shoot the ball, and he has a really good energy about him. We're happy that he's healthy and can space the floor for us."
Tyon Grant-Foster
Tyon Grant-Foster hit the GCU Basketball Facility this summer without having played with a college team since a health situation ended his 2021-22 season at DePaul after one half of basketball. His long absence has been hard to tell with the 6-foot-7 swingman fitting in fast.
"He's got such great pedigree throughout his basketball career," Drew said. "I'm kind of amazed how quickly his feel has come and how well he sees the game. He really knows the game. His leadership has already come out. He really knows the game, so he talks the game to the other guys, which is his form of leadership.
"Even though he is older (at age 23), you should see him keep progressing throughout the year."
Ray Harrison
Back from closing last season as the WAC Tournament Most Valuable Player, senior guard Ray Harrison tested the NBA Draft waters and returned with the knowledge and the drive to improve after averaging 17.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists last season.
"We're trying to expand his game," Drew said. "He's playing a lot of point guard right now, which is really good for him. He played some last season, but he's playing it pretty much every day right now, which is building his endurance and helping him see the game differently."
Gabe McGlothan
Senior power forward Gabe McGlothan evolved to another level in the latter half of last season, delivering an unforgettable 35-point, 10-rebound performance in a WAC Tournament quarterfinal victory. After averaging 12.8 points and 7.6 rebounds last season, that trajectory carried over to the summer.
"He's playing really well," Drew said. "He's handling the ball better. He's more confident in everything he does and is even stronger than he was last year. Since that Abilene Christian game at home (on Feb. 17), he's taken off from there and hasn't looked back. I think the game slowed down to him. He sees his spots on the floor and where his shots are and is doing it with confidence.
"I think he realized we needed him to win too. He's such a team guy. That context probably motivated him more because he needed to play well for the team."
Collin Moore
Junior guard Collin Moore ratcheted up the backcourt competition upon arrival this summer, following a season in which he led Georgia State in points per game (14.2) and steals per game (2.2). Drew said Moore can play with Harrison and be another combo guard option as Blacksher and Baker work their ways back.
"We like that he's a proven scorer in college," Drew said. "He averaged about 14 points a game last year and defensively gets his hands on a lot of balls.
Caleb Shaw
The Shaw count increased this summer with sophomore guard Caleb Shaw joining his older brother, Isaiah, and father, assistant coach Casey, at GCU. Caleb averaged 5.3 points last season as a freshman at Northern Colorado and can play either guard spot at 6-5.
"He's had a really good summer," Drew said. "Statistically, he's been one of our leading scorers. He's had to play a lot of point guard with Jovan and Josh out this summer and that's helped to expand his game. He can shoot and is really athletic around the rim."
Isaiah Shaw
Isaiah Shaw is Caleb's big brother but will be a redshirt freshman after sitting out his first GCU year and then suffering a non-surgery knee injury after seven appearances last season. At 6-7, he and Grant-Foster appear to be the Lopes' top 3-point shooters.
"He should be able to help us spread the floor," Drew said. "Noah (Baumann) and Walt (Ellis) were specialists in that area. I wouldn't say these guys are specialists, but they can make shots."
Lök Wur
GCU's increased roster versatility is embodied in the addition of senior Lök Wur, a 6-9 Oregon transfer who held a defensive, rebounding role before the Ducks' injuries led to a starting opportunity last postseason.
Wur, who boasts a 7-1 wingspan, averaged 5.7 points and 3.0 rebounds in 21.3 minutes per game of three NIT starts.
"The versatility is what we like," Drew said. "He can guard multiple positions. He has a really good feel and knows how to work, and he knows how to practice. He comes in as a veteran that we like."
Derrick Michael Xzavierro
The feel-good story of the summer is seeing Derrick Michael Xzavierro on the court after he spent seven weeks of his freshman year in the hospital following complications with a collapsed lung. Indonesia's first Division I scholarship basketball player restored the 40 pounds he lost and became stronger at 230 pounds.
"He's gotten way better," Drew said. "He's growing and up to about 6-10 now. I'm really happy for him that he's healthy and that he's able to be where he's at right now with the setback he had. He's way ahead of where I thought he'd be at this point."
Next week, Grand Canyon will play two games in the Bahamas as part of an international tour that the NCAA allows college teams to take once every four years with extra practice time for it.
That has given Lopes head coach Bryce Drew a better summer look at his team than usual, and this was an ideal year for it with eight new GCU players joining the top players from last season's NCAA tournament team.
Tuesday and Wednesday games in Nassau against Bahamian clubs will reveal more, but the eye test is already telling Drew that this is his tallest, strongest team in four GCU years.
"Top to bottom, for sure," Drew said. "There aren't a lot of easy shots that don't have a high-end contest."
With a deeper look from practices, Drew shared his early thoughts on newcomers and returnees.
Noah AmenhauserNoah Amenhauser, a 7-foot, 250-pound center from Goodyear Estrella Foothills High School, recently began practicing after being out eight months following a knee surgery. His health and conditioning will determine much of his outlook because Drew is already convinced of his skill level after watching him make hook shots with either hand and show 3-point shooting range.
"He's stronger than ever," Drew said. "He'll be one of the most skilled bigs that GCU has had. Skillwise, he's like a 7-1 Ale (former GCU star Alessandro Lever) probably but passes better."
Josh BakerSenior guard Josh Baker played last season with a shoulder injury that was repaired with offseason surgery. The Phoenix native is expected to return from his rehabilitation work before the season.
"He adds ballhandling and shooting ability," Drew said. "He blends people together. He's great at impacting winning, even when he might not be filling the stat sheet. He's one of our better perimeter defenders."
Jovan Blacksher Jr.Senior guard Jovan Blacksher Jr. started last season as Preseason WAC Player of the Year, but his season ended in the second conference game when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee. He has begun court work on his road back from February surgery and Drew hopes he can be fully cleared for October.
"He's ahead of schedule, so he's done a great job," Drew said. "Obviously, it was tough not playing during the season. Once the season was over and he got to the point where he could actually do more a physical type of rehab, he's gone to another level."
Duke BrennanThe all-new rotation look at GCU center will feature sophomore Duke Brennan, a 6-10, 250-pound Arizona State transfer. After logging the most minutes by a Sun Devils freshman in 14 years, the Gilbert native has expanded his game since donning purple for this summer's workouts.
"He keeps getting better," Drew said. "He wasn't called on much to score in his past. We want him to score more. He really moves his feet well for his size. His skills are progressing.
"I'm comfortable with him shooting a 15-, 17-footer, and I'm comfortable with him scoring around the basket with both hands."
Sydney Curry
Even more size and experience comes with the arrival of senior center Sydney Curry, who rattles rims and flexes force at 6-8 and 270 pounds. The Lopes transfer is looking for a bounce-back season after playing at Louisville, where he started 37 games and posted three double-doubles against ACC opponents in 2021-22.
"We like his ability to finish around the rim and athleticism," Drew said. "He brings an element of physicality and toughness, which is great to have at that position."
Malcolm FlaggsRedshirt freshman guard Malcolm Flaggs, at 6-6 and 200 pounds, came with Brennan from Arizona State. The Arizona native moved from Tuba City to Chandler and grew close with Brennan in their high school years.
"Malcolm was injured pretty much all year last year, so he hasn't really had the chance to play," Drew said.
"He can really shoot the ball, and he has a really good energy about him. We're happy that he's healthy and can space the floor for us."
Tyon Grant-Foster
Tyon Grant-Foster hit the GCU Basketball Facility this summer without having played with a college team since a health situation ended his 2021-22 season at DePaul after one half of basketball. His long absence has been hard to tell with the 6-foot-7 swingman fitting in fast.
"He's got such great pedigree throughout his basketball career," Drew said. "I'm kind of amazed how quickly his feel has come and how well he sees the game. He really knows the game. His leadership has already come out. He really knows the game, so he talks the game to the other guys, which is his form of leadership.
"Even though he is older (at age 23), you should see him keep progressing throughout the year."
Ray HarrisonBack from closing last season as the WAC Tournament Most Valuable Player, senior guard Ray Harrison tested the NBA Draft waters and returned with the knowledge and the drive to improve after averaging 17.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists last season.
"We're trying to expand his game," Drew said. "He's playing a lot of point guard right now, which is really good for him. He played some last season, but he's playing it pretty much every day right now, which is building his endurance and helping him see the game differently."
Gabe McGlothanSenior power forward Gabe McGlothan evolved to another level in the latter half of last season, delivering an unforgettable 35-point, 10-rebound performance in a WAC Tournament quarterfinal victory. After averaging 12.8 points and 7.6 rebounds last season, that trajectory carried over to the summer.
"He's playing really well," Drew said. "He's handling the ball better. He's more confident in everything he does and is even stronger than he was last year. Since that Abilene Christian game at home (on Feb. 17), he's taken off from there and hasn't looked back. I think the game slowed down to him. He sees his spots on the floor and where his shots are and is doing it with confidence.
"I think he realized we needed him to win too. He's such a team guy. That context probably motivated him more because he needed to play well for the team."
Collin Moore
Junior guard Collin Moore ratcheted up the backcourt competition upon arrival this summer, following a season in which he led Georgia State in points per game (14.2) and steals per game (2.2). Drew said Moore can play with Harrison and be another combo guard option as Blacksher and Baker work their ways back.
"We like that he's a proven scorer in college," Drew said. "He averaged about 14 points a game last year and defensively gets his hands on a lot of balls.
Caleb Shaw
The Shaw count increased this summer with sophomore guard Caleb Shaw joining his older brother, Isaiah, and father, assistant coach Casey, at GCU. Caleb averaged 5.3 points last season as a freshman at Northern Colorado and can play either guard spot at 6-5.
"He's had a really good summer," Drew said. "Statistically, he's been one of our leading scorers. He's had to play a lot of point guard with Jovan and Josh out this summer and that's helped to expand his game. He can shoot and is really athletic around the rim."
Isaiah ShawIsaiah Shaw is Caleb's big brother but will be a redshirt freshman after sitting out his first GCU year and then suffering a non-surgery knee injury after seven appearances last season. At 6-7, he and Grant-Foster appear to be the Lopes' top 3-point shooters.
"He should be able to help us spread the floor," Drew said. "Noah (Baumann) and Walt (Ellis) were specialists in that area. I wouldn't say these guys are specialists, but they can make shots."
Lök WurGCU's increased roster versatility is embodied in the addition of senior Lök Wur, a 6-9 Oregon transfer who held a defensive, rebounding role before the Ducks' injuries led to a starting opportunity last postseason.
Wur, who boasts a 7-1 wingspan, averaged 5.7 points and 3.0 rebounds in 21.3 minutes per game of three NIT starts.
"The versatility is what we like," Drew said. "He can guard multiple positions. He has a really good feel and knows how to work, and he knows how to practice. He comes in as a veteran that we like."
Derrick Michael XzavierroThe feel-good story of the summer is seeing Derrick Michael Xzavierro on the court after he spent seven weeks of his freshman year in the hospital following complications with a collapsed lung. Indonesia's first Division I scholarship basketball player restored the 40 pounds he lost and became stronger at 230 pounds.
"He's gotten way better," Drew said. "He's growing and up to about 6-10 now. I'm really happy for him that he's healthy and that he's able to be where he's at right now with the setback he had. He's way ahead of where I thought he'd be at this point."
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