Monday, November 3
Nacogdoches, Texas
2:00 P.M.
Stephen F. Austin
vs
Millsaps College
Braeuer Era Commences as ‘Jacks Tip Off 100th Season of Hardwood Action
11/2/2025 1:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball
SFA welcomes in Millsaps for first of 16 regular season home games in 2025-26
SFA vs. Millsaps || 11/3 (2 p.m.)
1st meeting
Nacogdoches, Texas (William R. Johnson Coliseum)
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The 100th chapter in the well-penned novel that is Stephen F. Austin men's basketball is set to begin on Monday afternoon from inside William R. Johnson Coliseum as the Lumberjacks tip off the program's centennial season with the commencing of the Matt Braeuer Era. SFA welcomes in Millsaps for ISD Field Trip Day and the 231st birthday celebration of Stephen F. Austin. The Lumberjack men tip-off at 2 p.m. following season-opening action of the Lumberjack women against Nelson at 11 a.m. Live coverage links of the action are available at www.SFAjacks.com.
SFA returns two players from last year's squad in senior guard Keon Thompson and classmate combo Chrishawn Christmas. Thompson enters year two in Nacogdoches, while Christmas readies for year three as a Lumberjack. Thirteen newcomers, made up of three true freshmen and ten transfers across multiple levels of college basketball, fill out the roster for Braeuer who became the 20th leader of SFA's men's basketball program on March 7.
NEW MAN IN CHARGE
*Braeuer was named the 13th head coach of the Lumberjacks on March 7, 2025, which followed two seasons as an assistant coach under Grant McCasland at Texas Tech
*Helped guide the Red Raiders to 51 wins, 26 in Big 12 play, a Big 12 Tournament title game appearance and two NCAA Tournaments including an Elite 8 run in 2024-25
*SFA is the first head coaching stop for the Texan who brings 15+ years of collegiate coaching experience to the program which includes stints at North Texas (under McCasland), College of Charleston, Sam Houston State, Maryland, Midland College and as a graduate assistant under Gregg Marshall at his alma mater Wichita State
*Played four seasons for the Shockers from 2004-05 to 2007-08 and during that time WSU advanced to the Sweet Sixteen and earned a top 10 national ranking
*Ranks in the Shockers' top 15 all-time in career three-pointers (130) and career assists (308)
BACK FOR THE 'JACKS
*Christmas was one of 18 SLC players to average 30+ minutes last season in league play. He ranked second overall in steals (55) and steals average (1.77). He has played in 64 games as a 'Jack and is closing in on 500 points, 500 rebounds, 100 assists and 100 steals at SFA.
*Christmas has shot just under 40% from the floor in his Lumberjack career.
*Thompson registered a top 20 scoring average in SLC play a season ago; 13.5 ppg with 16 games in double figures and four 20+ point efforts including a career-high 23 in OT win at New Orleans. He was one of eight SLC players with a 10+ assist game last season and one of three players with two 9+ assist efforts in SLC play
*Thompson is in line to notch multiple career milestones this season including 1,000 points, 400 rebounds, 300 assists and 100 steals in addition to 100 games played
NEW LOOK 'JACKS
*The roster features two familiar SLC transfers in Kameron Burton (Southeastern Louisiana) and Jerald Colonel (Northwestern State).
*Burton played in 62 games with seven starts over two seasons in Hammond, while Colonel earned SLC All-Defensive team honors after leading the SLC in blocked shots (67) and in blocks per game (2.23) while with the Demons.
*Lateef Patrick earned 2024-25 NJCAA Third-Team All-American honors and was named NJCAA Region IX Player of the Year at Trinidad State after ranking third among all NJCAA DI scorers with a 24.2 scoring average.
*DII transfers Narit Chotikavanic (LSC Freshman of the Year) and Ahamed Mohammed (First Team All-Region) join the 'Jacks from West Texas A&M, while DIII transfer Christian Green (All-SCAC) rejoins former Trinity HC and now SFA Associate HC Jimmy Smith.
*Eltramon Smith Jr. saw action in 30 games at Barton CC last season and shot over 52% from the floor and 50% from range.
*Gediminas Alisas competed at Western Wyoming in his first stop stateside and won the FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League 2025 - U21 - Europe 3 - Stop 2 with Team Lithuania this past summer.
*Tichyque Musaka played in 19 games at Northern Arizona (2023-24) and competed at Gulf Coast State last season. Musaka came to the US at 13, traveling by himself on his first-ever flight in pursuit of a basketball career all the way from Kinshasa, Congo.
*Harris Dar helped Grinnell College to the NCAA DIII Tournament last season scoring in double figures in 16 games
*Bryceson Melvin (Arlington, Texas), Yohan Gutierrez (Spring, Texas) and Marcus Scurry (Augusta, Ga.) join Braeuer's year-one fold from the prep level.
SERIES HISTORY
The Lumberjacks and the Majors meet for the first time all-time on Monday afternoon.
SEASON OPENERS + HOME OPENERS
The 'Jacks have won eight straight season openers with their last lost coming against #2 Kentucky in 2016-17. SFA has won 26 consecutive home openers.
AXES SHARPENED IN PINEY WOODS BATTLE
An exhibition edition of the hardwood version of the Battle of the Piney Woods took place in Houston on October 25 and it was the Lumberjacks that outlasted their Conference USA opposition in overtime beating longtime foe Sam Houston State 105-100 in the extra period. SFA shot over 51% from the floor, withstood a 59-point second-half effort by the Bearkats who erased a 15-point deficit at the intermission and used a 43-point outburst, including a perfect 19-of-19 from the stripe, by Thompson to claim the unofficial victory in a series that was first contested in 1925.
SLC VIRTUAL MEDIA DAY
Head coach Matt Braeuer and senior guard Keon Thompson joined the Field of 68 on October 27 as part of the SLC's Virtual Media Day. The interview is available on-demand here.
CUE THE MUSIC
CBS Sports announced a slate of five Southland Conference men's basketball matchups that will be featured on the network this coming season and among the showcased contests is a January 26 matchup between the 'Jacks and cross-border rival Northwestern State inside William R. Johnson Coliseum.
SEASON THEMES & PROMOTIONS
A dozen dynamic nights designed for fan engagement and to pack out WRJ with Lumberjack spirit are on tap during the 2025-26 season. From classic promotions like "Cram the Coliseum" and "Purple Out" to new favorites such as "Dance Hall Night" and "Social Media Night," this season's lineup promises a high-energy experience for fans of all ages. For a full list of game themes and promotions, visit here.
SECURE YOUR SEATS TODAY
Single game tickets and five-game flex plans for all 16 SFA men's basketball home matchups are available for purchase now. Fans interested in purchasing season ticket packages can secure their seats here. Don't miss out on all the exciting action inside William R. Johnson Coliseum this season!
THE 'JACKS HAVE GONE MOBILE
SFA Athletics' newest mobile phone application is designed to bring Lumberjack fans closer to the action than ever before. Available now on both the App Store and Google Play, the new SFA Athletics app delivers schedules, scores, rosters, news, ticket access, and exclusive content right to your phone. Fans can also receive push notifications, so they never miss a moment of the action. Download now: Official SFA Athletics App.
FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA men's basketball, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.
1st meeting
Nacogdoches, Texas (William R. Johnson Coliseum)
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The 100th chapter in the well-penned novel that is Stephen F. Austin men's basketball is set to begin on Monday afternoon from inside William R. Johnson Coliseum as the Lumberjacks tip off the program's centennial season with the commencing of the Matt Braeuer Era. SFA welcomes in Millsaps for ISD Field Trip Day and the 231st birthday celebration of Stephen F. Austin. The Lumberjack men tip-off at 2 p.m. following season-opening action of the Lumberjack women against Nelson at 11 a.m. Live coverage links of the action are available at www.SFAjacks.com.
SFA returns two players from last year's squad in senior guard Keon Thompson and classmate combo Chrishawn Christmas. Thompson enters year two in Nacogdoches, while Christmas readies for year three as a Lumberjack. Thirteen newcomers, made up of three true freshmen and ten transfers across multiple levels of college basketball, fill out the roster for Braeuer who became the 20th leader of SFA's men's basketball program on March 7.
NEW MAN IN CHARGE
*Braeuer was named the 13th head coach of the Lumberjacks on March 7, 2025, which followed two seasons as an assistant coach under Grant McCasland at Texas Tech
*Helped guide the Red Raiders to 51 wins, 26 in Big 12 play, a Big 12 Tournament title game appearance and two NCAA Tournaments including an Elite 8 run in 2024-25
*SFA is the first head coaching stop for the Texan who brings 15+ years of collegiate coaching experience to the program which includes stints at North Texas (under McCasland), College of Charleston, Sam Houston State, Maryland, Midland College and as a graduate assistant under Gregg Marshall at his alma mater Wichita State
*Played four seasons for the Shockers from 2004-05 to 2007-08 and during that time WSU advanced to the Sweet Sixteen and earned a top 10 national ranking
*Ranks in the Shockers' top 15 all-time in career three-pointers (130) and career assists (308)
BACK FOR THE 'JACKS
*Christmas was one of 18 SLC players to average 30+ minutes last season in league play. He ranked second overall in steals (55) and steals average (1.77). He has played in 64 games as a 'Jack and is closing in on 500 points, 500 rebounds, 100 assists and 100 steals at SFA.
*Christmas has shot just under 40% from the floor in his Lumberjack career.
*Thompson registered a top 20 scoring average in SLC play a season ago; 13.5 ppg with 16 games in double figures and four 20+ point efforts including a career-high 23 in OT win at New Orleans. He was one of eight SLC players with a 10+ assist game last season and one of three players with two 9+ assist efforts in SLC play
*Thompson is in line to notch multiple career milestones this season including 1,000 points, 400 rebounds, 300 assists and 100 steals in addition to 100 games played
NEW LOOK 'JACKS
*The roster features two familiar SLC transfers in Kameron Burton (Southeastern Louisiana) and Jerald Colonel (Northwestern State).
*Burton played in 62 games with seven starts over two seasons in Hammond, while Colonel earned SLC All-Defensive team honors after leading the SLC in blocked shots (67) and in blocks per game (2.23) while with the Demons.
*Lateef Patrick earned 2024-25 NJCAA Third-Team All-American honors and was named NJCAA Region IX Player of the Year at Trinidad State after ranking third among all NJCAA DI scorers with a 24.2 scoring average.
*DII transfers Narit Chotikavanic (LSC Freshman of the Year) and Ahamed Mohammed (First Team All-Region) join the 'Jacks from West Texas A&M, while DIII transfer Christian Green (All-SCAC) rejoins former Trinity HC and now SFA Associate HC Jimmy Smith.
*Eltramon Smith Jr. saw action in 30 games at Barton CC last season and shot over 52% from the floor and 50% from range.
*Gediminas Alisas competed at Western Wyoming in his first stop stateside and won the FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League 2025 - U21 - Europe 3 - Stop 2 with Team Lithuania this past summer.
*Tichyque Musaka played in 19 games at Northern Arizona (2023-24) and competed at Gulf Coast State last season. Musaka came to the US at 13, traveling by himself on his first-ever flight in pursuit of a basketball career all the way from Kinshasa, Congo.
*Harris Dar helped Grinnell College to the NCAA DIII Tournament last season scoring in double figures in 16 games
*Bryceson Melvin (Arlington, Texas), Yohan Gutierrez (Spring, Texas) and Marcus Scurry (Augusta, Ga.) join Braeuer's year-one fold from the prep level.
SERIES HISTORY
The Lumberjacks and the Majors meet for the first time all-time on Monday afternoon.
SEASON OPENERS + HOME OPENERS
The 'Jacks have won eight straight season openers with their last lost coming against #2 Kentucky in 2016-17. SFA has won 26 consecutive home openers.
AXES SHARPENED IN PINEY WOODS BATTLE
An exhibition edition of the hardwood version of the Battle of the Piney Woods took place in Houston on October 25 and it was the Lumberjacks that outlasted their Conference USA opposition in overtime beating longtime foe Sam Houston State 105-100 in the extra period. SFA shot over 51% from the floor, withstood a 59-point second-half effort by the Bearkats who erased a 15-point deficit at the intermission and used a 43-point outburst, including a perfect 19-of-19 from the stripe, by Thompson to claim the unofficial victory in a series that was first contested in 1925.
SLC VIRTUAL MEDIA DAY
Head coach Matt Braeuer and senior guard Keon Thompson joined the Field of 68 on October 27 as part of the SLC's Virtual Media Day. The interview is available on-demand here.
CUE THE MUSIC
CBS Sports announced a slate of five Southland Conference men's basketball matchups that will be featured on the network this coming season and among the showcased contests is a January 26 matchup between the 'Jacks and cross-border rival Northwestern State inside William R. Johnson Coliseum.
SEASON THEMES & PROMOTIONS
A dozen dynamic nights designed for fan engagement and to pack out WRJ with Lumberjack spirit are on tap during the 2025-26 season. From classic promotions like "Cram the Coliseum" and "Purple Out" to new favorites such as "Dance Hall Night" and "Social Media Night," this season's lineup promises a high-energy experience for fans of all ages. For a full list of game themes and promotions, visit here.
SECURE YOUR SEATS TODAY
Single game tickets and five-game flex plans for all 16 SFA men's basketball home matchups are available for purchase now. Fans interested in purchasing season ticket packages can secure their seats here. Don't miss out on all the exciting action inside William R. Johnson Coliseum this season!
THE 'JACKS HAVE GONE MOBILE
SFA Athletics' newest mobile phone application is designed to bring Lumberjack fans closer to the action than ever before. Available now on both the App Store and Google Play, the new SFA Athletics app delivers schedules, scores, rosters, news, ticket access, and exclusive content right to your phone. Fans can also receive push notifications, so they never miss a moment of the action. Download now: Official SFA Athletics App.
FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA men's basketball, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.
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