TOPEKA, Kan. – Washburn Ichabod men's basketball head coach Brett Ballard has announced the addition for four transfers who will complete the 2025-26 roster. The Ichabods are coming off one of the best seasons in program history after going 30-4, winning the NCAA Central Region Championship and the MIAA regular season title.

"This transfer class gives us a real opportunity to be special and compete for championships again next season," said Coach Ballard. "This a highly talented and experienced transfer class that will complement and enhance a roster that returns a very good core group of guys who are hungry to back up a historic year."

The quartet will join four high school standouts who signed earlier in the year. They include Tyler Salmon (6-8, 190, Guard, Shawnee, Kan./Shawnee Mission Northwest High School), Amalachi Wilkins (6-8, 195, Forward, Wichita, Kan./Wichita Heights High School) and Kaden Ballard (5-11, 165, Guard, Topeka, Kan./Washburn Rural High School) and Tayvin Zephier-Murphy (6-5, 165, Guard, Omaha, Neb./Westview High School).

Marcus Glock – 6-4, 195, Sophomore, Guard – Wahoo, Neb./Wahoo High School/Northwest Missouri
Background: A transfer from Northwest Missouri where he started 19 of 28 games averaging 9.1 ppg with 2.5 rpg hitting a team-high 51 3-pointers shooting 42 percent from deep … averaged 10.2 ppg in MIAA play … averaged 13.5 ppg in two games against Washburn … a member of the MIAA Academic Honor Roll … at Wahoo High School, a first-team Super State selection as a senior after averaging 23.4 ppg scoring a career-high 54 points breaking his dad's record of 52 … he was a three-time all-state honoree and a four-time all-conference pick and was class Salutatorian.

Personal: He is the son of Jason and Patricia Glock … his sister, Elle, played volleyball at the University of Louisville … has a brother, Landon … his father, Jason, played basketball at the University of Nebraska from 1991-1996 … majoring in biology.

Ballard on Glock: "It's very hard to start as a freshman in the MIAA. It's even harder to play as well and with the level of maturity that Marcus did. He is an absolute sniper and has a chance to be one of the best shooters—if not the best—that I've ever coached. We needed a shot-maker, and he obviously fills that void. He fits our overall offensive style very well. You'll see that he's more than just a catch-and-shoot guy and I'm excited see his growth and impact."

Jeremiah Jones – 6-3, 190, Junior, Guard – South Holland, Ill./Marian Catholic High School/Mary
Background: Led Mary in scoring in 2024-25 averaging 11.9 ppg recording 85 steals, ranking third in steals per game at 2.74 and fifth in total steals setting school record mark and had eight steals in a single game setting another school record … as a freshman he averaged 6.7 ppg and 5.6 rpg recording 64 assists breaking school record with 16 rebounds in a single game … at Marian Catholic, he was a ESCC first team all-conference selection his final two seasons and was a first-team all-state pick and the conference's player of the year as a senior.
Personal: Son of Malik and Pamela Jones … two brothers, Elijah and Jesiah … a sister, Nailah … majoring in sports management.
Ballard on Jones: "Jeremiah was a starter in the Northern Sun, one of the best D2 basketball conferences in the country," Ballard said. "Not only did he start, but he led his team in points, rebounds, and most eye-popping—85 steals. I think he will be great in our pressure defensive system, and I can't wait to see him flying around in our traps. He's a versatile, high-energy combo guard you can plug into different spots."
 
Bryson Smith – 6-2, 200, Senior, Guard – Mesquite, Texas/Mesquite Horn High School/Northeastern State
Background: Averaged 11.4 ppg with a team-high 131 assists with 3.5 rpg for the RiverHawks starting all 29 games … also added 51 steals … averaged 14.8 points per game at Dallas College North Lake where there claimed a the NJCAA Men's Basketball National Championship ... named All-Dallas Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year and was Player of the Week three times ... appeared in nine games at Temple College ... shot 83.3 percent from the free throw line and 53.3 percent from the field … played varsity as a freshman ... lead team as the starting point guard to first district championship ... hit 30+ scoring five times during his senior season and scored 36 points in the state playoffs ... won district title and went 12-0 in district first time in school history ... two-time First Team All-Academic ... All-State Academic ... UIL 6A All-State Team ... Two-Time First Team All-District ... District MVP ... In & Out Burger 2021 Allen Invitational All-Tournament Team.

Personal: Son of Sheri and has one sister, Whitney ...  has an Aunt (Tanisha) that played volleyball at Oklahoma ... had a cousin (Veshe Danyian) play football for Army West Point.

Ballard on Smith: "We felt like Bryson was one of the best guards in the MIAA last season, and he certainly backed that up when we played them," said Ballard. "He was a National Champion in junior college and brings a competitive intensity to our backcourt. He was a double-figure scorer and also averaged 4.5 assists per game, so I really like his playmaking ability. He is a winner and will give us veteran leadership." 

Isaiah Saams-Hoy – 6-4, 195, Senior, Guard – San Jose, Calif./ Eastside College Preparatory School/San Jose City College/Alaska-Fairbanks
Background: Played in and started all 28 games for the Nanooks in 2024-25 ... led the team in points (455), points per game (16.3), assists (99), steals (44) and blocks (29) ... grabbed 178 rebounds for an average of 6.4 per game ... posted a season-high 28 points on Nov. 11, 2024 at Chaminade ... cracked 20+ points on seven occasions during the season and reached 10+ points in 25 of his 28 games played ... logged one double-double during the season in a 26-point, 13-rebound performance at Saint Martin's in a 123-115 4OT win on Feb. 27, 2025 ... collected a season-high six blocks in a 71-62 win vs. Northwest Nazarene on Jan. 11, 2025 to go along with 14 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals ... earned GNAC All-Conference Second Team honors … as a sophomore he played at San Jose City College ... earned All-Defensive First Team and All-Conference Team honors … played prep basketball at Eastside College Prep in San Jose, Calif. … scored 24 points and grabbed 10.2 rebounds per game during his senior year ... was a CCS Champion and NorCal State Championship Semifinalist ... earned WBAL MVP honors in 2018-19.

Personal: Son of Robert and Deloris Saams-Hoy...Two siblings, Merylin and Maya ... will be starting MBA at Washburn after graduating from Fairbanks with degree in business marketing.

Ballard on Saams-Hoy: "Isaiah has a great feel and IQ and gives us much-needed size and versatility at the wing position. He's an efficient scorer who averaged 16 points per game while shooting over 50% from the field. He can get his own shot but also plays well within a system. His rebound numbers were strong, and with nearly 100 assists, he'll also will create for others. I love the poise and maturity he brings to go along with his talent."