MARYVILLE - Head Coach Raul Placeres has announced his 2025-26 schedule and signing class.
The Scots' schedule consists on seven different teams who made the 2025 NCAA Tournament, including Emory (Elite 8), Hampden Sydney (Sweet 16) and Illinois Wesleyan (Sweet 16). The team was invited to participate in the premier Division III in-season tournament, the Great Lakes Invitational, where they will face Carthage and Washington and Jefferson. Both teams won 20+ games last year.
The men will also participate in the Jack Sikma Tournament, hosted by Illinois Wesleyan, and a tournament hosted by Emory. Participating teams in the Jack Sikma Tournament include Wisconsin Oshkosh, Illinois College, and Illinois Wesleyan. The Emory tournament will include Emory, Hampden Sydney, and Colby.
The Scots alongside Head Coach Raul Placeres and new Assistant Coach Myles Rasnkick look to keep up their winning ways after coming off another 20+ win season, their third in the last four years. Maryville has won five consecutive regular season championships, and have appeared in the Conference Championship Game in four of the last five seasons, winning three.
Coach Placeres returns five All-Conference players in Chase Morgan, Jackson Garner, RJ Simmons, Javi Rosell, and Kyle Cloninger. Returner Kobe Franklin Came on strong at the end of the year in Garner's injury absence. Jamal Ware, Jaylon Green, and Collin Smith all provided great moments in helping the Scots reach 21 wins. Rounding out the returners are multi-game starter junior Ryon Reed and David Stone, a talented post player coming into year two.
Ten of the eleven returning players have started two or more games in their career, and this team is set to be the most experienced team in Placeres' tenure.
Incoming Recruits
Jaylen Pompey: 5'9 170lbs Point Guard. State Champion-All District-All Region- All State.
"He is the ultimate competitor and winner. He was the engine for his high school team (Knoxville Webb) who ended up winning the state championship. I love his competitive spirit, ability to defend, and how he pushes the pace in transition. Really excited about Jaylen's potential!"
Jett Sutton: 6'2 195lbs Guard. The Texas product via Sevier County High school has a college ready body. He was an All-District and All-Region selection for Coach Ken Wright.
"Jett has a great feel for the game but has the type of nasty I love to coach. His ability to have range and shoot a consistent clip will give him an opportunity to compete as a freshman. Looking forward to his growth on the defensive end as he has the ability to be a lock down defender."
Hilton Dessausure: 6'4 185lbs Guard. The Northside Christian Academy product has a great upside. He was an All-District-All Region- All State performer for Coach Peter Wilkerson. 17.6 ppg, 4rpg, 2apg.
"I have developed a strong relationship with Hilton in the recruiting process. He loves being a Scot and wants to be great! Those are two things that are very important to me as a coach. His versatility at the wing position is something we needed to add to our talented roster in 2025-26. Hilton is an exceptional athlete. Scots fans will love watching him play."
Bryce Curtis: 6'3 190 lbs Wing. The Madison Academy product played for Coach Tom Berryman. Coach Berryman is one of the best coaches in the state of Alabama. "
Bryce will be ready to tackle the rigors of the college game due to his gym rat approach. Bryce is eager to grow as a player and that makes me excited about his future as a Scot."
Isaiah "Zeek" Young: 6'0 170 lb Wing comes to us from South Kent Prep in Connecticut. South Kent is a basketball powerhouse on the prep circuit.
"Zeek brings winning DNA, elite work ethic, and a true team-first mindset. With a big Summer of development Zeek will be ready for the demands of the college game. Zeek is the son of current Associate Head Coach at the University of Miami Charlton C.Y. Young and Auburn Hall of Famer and Olympian Carolyn Jones-Young."
Matthew Schneider: The 6'6 190 lbs guard/post is coming to us from a familiar place Missouri Western. Last year's All-American Reed Kemp also came to us from Missouri Western. Matthew was a Mr. Basketball finalist in the state of Tennessee as a high school senior while averaging 19.3ppg-8.2rpg-1.6apg-1.4spg.
"Matt brings with him high level experience from the Division II ranks. His ability to attack you off the bounce, post you up, and shoot it with range makes him a tough cover each and every night. I love his competitive drive to win above all! He is definitely excited to be a Scot! Matt is our 8th Division I or II transfer in the last five seasons."
Also adding current Football player Sophomore Jalen Mccullough 6'5 215lb Post. Jalen played his high school basketball at Morristown West. He was an All District Performer.
"After his football season is over with, Jalen will join us and give us depth at the stretch four position. I love his drive, toughness, and athletic ability. His games reminds me a lot of current Scot RJ Simmons. Just a relentless rebounder with just a great knack for the ball."
Coach Placeres enters his 7th season as head coach of the Scots, and has a record of 100-42 (.704) overall and a conference record of 58-18 (.763).
