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Texas A&M's 2024-2025 season ended at the hands of 5-seed Michigan in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, falling 91-79 after leading most of the game before the Wolverines took over late in the second half. Behind forward Pharrel Payne's 26 points, coach Buzz Williams confusingly stopped feeding Payne after Michigan began its comeback.
Combined with poor second-half defense, the Aggies couldn't match Michigan's shooting and up-tempo play, leading to the program's second straight loss in the second round after falling to Houston last season.
Even before the NCAA Tournament, Aggie fans are aware of the future departures, which include eight seniors, led by all-time scoring guard Wade Taylor IV, forward Henry Coleman and Andersson Garcia, guards Manny Obaseki, Jace Carter and Hayden Hefner, and transfer guards Zhuric Phelps and CJ Wilcher.
Eight is considerable, but this was always the case heading into the season. Knowing Buzz Williams' past transfer portal success, which included adding Pharrel Payne this time last year, trusting his process is based on reality, not hope.
Note: Outside of the eight departing graduates, four freshmen and one sophomore are the only players outside Pharrel Payne and Solomon Washington who are set to return next season.
2024-2025 season stats: 10.4 points per game, 5.1 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 64.6% FG
Pharrel Payne's dominance in the NCAA Tournament, scoring 51 points in both games, wasn't shocking given his elite skillset, and by the looks of it, the Minnesota native is set to return next season as the face of the team. However, Payne will likely be vaulted into the starting lineup next season after coming off the bench this season.
2024-2025 season stats: 4.7 points per game, 5.1 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 35.8% FG
Solomon Washington and Pharrel Payne are the only key contributors set to return next season. While Washington is one of the top defensive players in the country, his scoring will need to increase if Buzz Williams cannot land as many transfer players as he'd like.
2024-2025 season stats: 1.3 points per game, 2.1 rebounds, 0.3 assists, 37.5% FG
Chris McDermott is filled with potential, appearing in a handful of games as the only freshman to see playing time this season. Coming into the program, the Houston native one shot nearly 60% from the field during his senior year, possessing the athleticism and rebounding ability to take the next step in his development.
2024-2025 season stats: Did not play
Texas A&M's forward rotation next season will see a new name to the lineup, as former four-star prospect George Turkson Jr., alongside four-star guard Andre Mills, redshirted during the 2024-2025 season to save eligibility. Turkson, like Chris McDermott, is another athletic big man and one of the top defenders in the 2025 recruiting class.
2024-2025 season stats: Did not play
Like George Turkson, Andre Mills opted to redshirt this season and will be ready to play next fall. Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, Mills averaged 30 points per game and eight rebounds during his senior season, choosing the Aggies over Iowa, Boston College, UMass, and Providence. Mills is a pure scorer who should provide adequate depth next season.
2024-2025 season stats: Did not play
Another big man destined to see playing time next season, Polish forward Janusz Ratowski, is a skilled shooter who could become a key role player as soon as next season. Throughout his prep career, Ratowski has improved as a defender and rebounder, and I'll be the first to say that Aggie fans should be excited about his potential.
2024-2025 season stats: 1.0 points per game, 0.8 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 33.3 % FG
Out of Paris, Texas, 6'8" guard Jaelyn Lee could finally crack a guard rotation that will look completely different next season and brings a ton of length and length to a backcourt in need of more consistent scoring. Lee's ability is relatively unknown outside of his successful high school career, but he has waited his turn to prove his worth, which is coming soon.
Of all three signees, Jasir Rencher's historic senior season and his elite shooting skillset could place him in the starting lineup next season. At the same time, Jeremiah Green is highly athletic and could contribute in 2026.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M basketball's 2025-2026 roster in its early stages
Continue reading...
Combined with poor second-half defense, the Aggies couldn't match Michigan's shooting and up-tempo play, leading to the program's second straight loss in the second round after falling to Houston last season.
Even before the NCAA Tournament, Aggie fans are aware of the future departures, which include eight seniors, led by all-time scoring guard Wade Taylor IV, forward Henry Coleman and Andersson Garcia, guards Manny Obaseki, Jace Carter and Hayden Hefner, and transfer guards Zhuric Phelps and CJ Wilcher.
Eight is considerable, but this was always the case heading into the season. Knowing Buzz Williams' past transfer portal success, which included adding Pharrel Payne this time last year, trusting his process is based on reality, not hope.
Note: Outside of the eight departing graduates, four freshmen and one sophomore are the only players outside Pharrel Payne and Solomon Washington who are set to return next season.
Junior forward Pharrel Payne
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2024-2025 season stats: 10.4 points per game, 5.1 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 64.6% FG
Pharrel Payne's dominance in the NCAA Tournament, scoring 51 points in both games, wasn't shocking given his elite skillset, and by the looks of it, the Minnesota native is set to return next season as the face of the team. However, Payne will likely be vaulted into the starting lineup next season after coming off the bench this season.
Junior forward Solomon Washington
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2024-2025 season stats: 4.7 points per game, 5.1 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 35.8% FG
Solomon Washington and Pharrel Payne are the only key contributors set to return next season. While Washington is one of the top defensive players in the country, his scoring will need to increase if Buzz Williams cannot land as many transfer players as he'd like.
Sophomore forward Chris McDermott
You must be registered for see images
2024-2025 season stats: 1.3 points per game, 2.1 rebounds, 0.3 assists, 37.5% FG
Chris McDermott is filled with potential, appearing in a handful of games as the only freshman to see playing time this season. Coming into the program, the Houston native one shot nearly 60% from the field during his senior year, possessing the athleticism and rebounding ability to take the next step in his development.
Redshirt freshman forward George Turkson Jr.
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2024-2025 season stats: Did not play
Texas A&M's forward rotation next season will see a new name to the lineup, as former four-star prospect George Turkson Jr., alongside four-star guard Andre Mills, redshirted during the 2024-2025 season to save eligibility. Turkson, like Chris McDermott, is another athletic big man and one of the top defenders in the 2025 recruiting class.
Redshirt freshman guard Andre Mills
You must be registered for see images
2024-2025 season stats: Did not play
Like George Turkson, Andre Mills opted to redshirt this season and will be ready to play next fall. Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, Mills averaged 30 points per game and eight rebounds during his senior season, choosing the Aggies over Iowa, Boston College, UMass, and Providence. Mills is a pure scorer who should provide adequate depth next season.
Redshirt freshman forward Janusz Ratowski
You must be registered for see images attach
2024-2025 season stats: Did not play
Another big man destined to see playing time next season, Polish forward Janusz Ratowski, is a skilled shooter who could become a key role player as soon as next season. Throughout his prep career, Ratowski has improved as a defender and rebounder, and I'll be the first to say that Aggie fans should be excited about his potential.
Redshirt junior guard Jaelyn Lee
2024-2025 season stats: 1.0 points per game, 0.8 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 33.3 % FG
Out of Paris, Texas, 6'8" guard Jaelyn Lee could finally crack a guard rotation that will look completely different next season and brings a ton of length and length to a backcourt in need of more consistent scoring. Lee's ability is relatively unknown outside of his successful high school career, but he has waited his turn to prove his worth, which is coming soon.
Texas A&M's 2025 signing class
- Four-star guard Jeremiah Green
- Four-star guard Jasir Rencher
- Three-star guard Aaron Glass
Of all three signees, Jasir Rencher's historic senior season and his elite shooting skillset could place him in the starting lineup next season. At the same time, Jeremiah Green is highly athletic and could contribute in 2026.
Texas A&M basketball’s newest commit, 4️ Jasir Rencher
Do yourself a favor and watch the second dunk pic.twitter.com/yZcxyr8s3M
— Luke Evangelist (@lukeevangelist_) October 4, 2024
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M basketball's 2025-2026 roster in its early stages
Continue reading...
