“Exciting, I’d say it’s exciting,” said St. Bonaventure athletic director Bob Beretta on the Bonnies’ 2025-26 season.
Last season, the Bonnies had a solid 22-12 season that ended in a 75-56 loss in the first round of the NIT to Kent State. However, they lost multiple players who contributed to a season that saw them get off to an unbelievable 14-1 start. Melvin Council transferred to Kansas, LaJae Jones to Florida State, Chance Moore to West Virginia and Noel Brown graduated. However, the Bonnies did some offseason work of their own.
In the offseason, St. Bonaventure signed recruits Joe Grahovac, Achille Lonati and Ilia Ermakov. They also landed transfers Frank Mitchell, Brayden Jackson, Darryl Simmons, Cayden Charles and Amar’e Marshall. They also retained guard Dasonte Bowen, who missed over 70% of the team’s games last season.
The Bonnies’ revamped roster is something to look forward to for fans, as the strong presence of men’s basketball general manager Adrian Wojnarowski has helped land big recruits that they might not have landed. He has signed recruits from all over the map, including places like Russia, Italy, Canada and California.
“We’re excited about the group we have and excited about the possibility that we can have some guys for multiple years”, said Wojnarowski.
Grahovac was one of the most highly touted junior college prospects in the transfer portal, having received Power Five offers. However, the passion shown by fans, faculty and staff is what ultimately led him to choose the Bonnies.
“When I went to visit out there, that’s what made me really think, ‘Oh yeah, I would like this spot,’” said Grahovac.
St. Bonaventure has experienced significant roster turnover in recent years. This is more so apparent since the legalization of NIL in 2021, as multiple starters each year have moved on to different programs after a productive season. Despite this trouble, the Bonnies built an exciting roster that has the potential to run through the Atlantic 10 this season.
“Brown & White Night” takes place on Friday to showcase the new men’s and women’s teams through scrimmages and an autograph session. After this event, the Bonnies will host Alfred University in an exhibition game on Oct. 29, allowing fans to see the new squad on the court together.
The Bonnies’ season starts on Nov. 3 in the Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon.
