Northern Arizona basketball is firing up with a coaching reunion that’s got fans buzzing—Ben Johnson, the architect of Washington State’s 2008 Sweet Sixteen run and Charlotte’s dramatic turnaround to the conference semifinals, is back as associate head coach. He brings elite player development chops and deep program loyalty. Meanwhile, NAU legend Nik Mains, who set school records as a player and earned his spot in the thousand-point club, returns as assistant coach after two stellar years at BYU—including helping them reach the Sweet Sixteen and shaping future NBA talent like AJ Dybantsa. Coach Burcar’s vision? Rebuilding with former players who know the ropes—and this duo is poised to make an instant impact on the court and in the locker room.

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"Call your mom." - A Message From Corey

"Only Rock With Real Ones." - A Message from Corey

Northern Arizona men’s basketball just kept the academic excellence torch burning, winning the NABC Team Academic Excellence Award for the sixth time in seven years under head coach Shane Burcar — with a stellar 3.24 team GPA. Six Big Sky teams earned the honor, but NAU’s individual success is even more impressive: five players made the NABC Honors Court, tying a program record and marking the fourth time they’ve had at least four honorees. Diego Campisano joins an elite trio with his third Honors Court nod, while Oakland Fort and Ryan Abelman each earned their second. Isaiah Shaw and Arne Osojnik make their debut on the list. This isn’t just about stats — it’s a culture of discipline, balance, and future-focused grit that’s turning heads both on and off the court.

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"Someone’s Life Is Changing Today..." - A message from Corey

Happy 4th of July! - A message of Corey

Northern Arizona men’s basketball just pulled off a roster overhaul, signing 11 new players to immediately compete for a Big Sky Championship. Coach Shane Burcar brought in eight transfers — including three direct D-I transfers and four with prior D-I experience — alongside three freshmen, all chosen to add size, athleticism, and depth. The squad features standout additions like 7-foot forwards Dylan Anderson and Tamiel Green, plus playmaking guard Mason Dorsey, who nearly posted a triple-double at junior college. Returning starters Ryan Abelman, Chris Komin, and Brennan Peterson will lead the integration. This isn’t just about building for the future — it’s about winning now, with players who fit the culture and are ready to compete.

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Advertise with The Daily News Now! - A Message from Corey