Mission men's basketball enters the 2026-27 season looking to build on last year's 11-20 campaign after being picked fourth in the American Midwest Conference (AMC) preseason poll.
The Patriots finished 5-9 in conference play last season and advanced to the AMC Tournament, where they fell 80-72 to Williams Baptist. Mission later competed in the NCCAA Regional Tournament, defeating Kansas Christian 108-77 before falling 78-77 to College of the Ozarks.
Mission returns several key contributors from last season, including Jamarian Cato, Justin Gill and Rayshaun Fowler. Cato averaged 13 points and six rebounds per game, while Gill contributed 10 points and five rebounds per game. Fowler started 11 of 23 games last season, averaging four points and two assists per game.
The Patriots will also add several newcomers to the lineup. Devante Watson, a transfer from Metropolitan Community College, averaged 19 points, four rebounds and two assists per game. Lee Williams III joins Mission after transferring from Mineral Area College and Southwestern Illinois College, where he averaged seven points and four rebounds per game. Valentine, who transferred from Seminole State College, averaged eight points and three rebounds per game.
Other newcomers include forward Damarkus Bean, a transfer from Southeastern Illinois College, and guard Josiah Griffith, who redshirted after transferring from Moberly Area Community College. Freshman guard David Giron III joins the Patriots from Oxnard High School, where he averaged 16 points per game, and DNA Prep, where he averaged 26 points per game.
Mission will look to replace the production of two key departures. Najee Williams averaged 21 points, five rebounds and three assists per game and earned first-team all-conference honors. Clifford Barrow averaged 15 points per game, made 85 three-pointers and earned all-conference recognition.
The Patriots open the season at home against MidAmerica Nazarene on Oct. 24 at Hilly Beck Court at W.E. Dowell Fieldhouse. Mission will then travel to Kentucky for the Lindsey Wilson Classic, facing Lindsey Wilson on Oct. 30 and Campbellsville on Oct. 31.
The early nonconference schedule also includes matchups against Southwestern Christian, Missouri Baptist, Missouri Southern State, Haskell Indian Nations, Evangel and NCAA Division I opponents Southeast Missouri State and Lindenwood.
AMC play begins Dec. 10 at home against the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis. Mission will resume conference action in January, with home matchups against Hannibal-LaGrange, Columbia and Crowley's Ridge, among others.
The regular season concludes with a home matchup against Kansas Christian on Feb. 20. The AMC Tournament is scheduled to begin Feb. 25 at Hilly Beck Court at W.E. Dowell Fieldhouse.
