BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Head men's basketball coach Jeremy Luther has announced the addition of 11 newcomers for the upcoming 2025-26 season. The 11-member signing class includes Jacob Hogarth, Spence Sims, Navuan Peterson, Riek Riek, Ace Talbert, Ashton King, Curtis Williams III, DJ Jefferson, Julius Clark, Jamias Ferere and Ahmadou Ndiaye.

"We are excited to welcome our 2025 recruiting class to Gardner Webb," said Luther.  "I am grateful to my staff, who worked very hard to identify the right kids to help us compete at the highest level.  We were able to get a good mix of high school, junior college, four year and grad transfers along with returners Colin Hawkins and Jacob Hudson that fit our culture on and off the floor."

Hogarth, a 6-9 forward from Brooklyn, N.Y., joins the Runnin' Bulldogs after playing at Iona last season. Hogarth saw action in 18 games for the Gaels while averaging 1.1 points and 1.1 rebounds per contest.

Sims, a 6-1 guard from Fairhope, Alabama, redshirted at the University of Alabama last season following a stellar high school playing career at Fairhope HS. During his senior season, Sims averaged 19 points and 3.8 assists per game while being named a McDonald's All-American nominee. Sima set Fairhope's single game scoring record with 46.

Peterson, a 6-6 graduate forward from Orlando, Fla., makes his way to Gardner-Webb after stops with Trevecca Nazarene Kentucky Wesleyan, and Lewis and Clark Community College. In his most recent role, Peterson averaged 9.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game with TNU, pouring in a season-high 25 points against Alabama-Huntsville.

Riek, a 6-9 graduate forward from Rochester, Minn., spent his last two seasons at Drury University where he saw action on 55 games with 21 starts. In his final season at DU, Riek averaged 4.1 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting .506 from the field. He scored a season high 13 points in a contest against McKendree.

Talbert, a 6-0 guard from Wyandanch, N.Y., joins the Runnin' Bulldogs after two seasons at St. Francis (Pa.). Sidelined by injury after five starts last season, Talbert averaged 10.2 points and 2.0 assists per game, including a 17-point game against Clemson, then followed that with a season-high 18 points versus Campbell.

King, a 6-3 guard from Raleigh, N.C., comes to Boiling Springs after a successful playing career at Millbrook High School. In his senior season, King averaged 23 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while scoring a season-high 38 points against Cardinal Gibbons. King was named to the All-District Team.

Williams III, a 6-7 guard/forward from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., joins GWU after stops at Northwest Florida State and Pepperdine. At NWFSC, Williams started in 28 games while averaging 8.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. He shot 43% from the field, including 34.6% form three.

Jefferson, a 6-4 guard from Richardson, Texas, makes his way to Gardner-Webb after one season with conference foe Longwood. With the Lancers, Jefferson appeared in 13 games while averaging 3.7 points and 2.3 rebounds. Jefferson started his career at the University of Tennessee.

Clark, a 6-7 guard from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, joins the Runnin' Bulldogs following two years at Tallahassee State College. As a sophomore, Clark started in 29 games and averaged 16 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. Clark was named First Team All-Panhandle Conference while also being named the Tallahassee State College Student-Athlete of the Year.

Ferere, a 6-6 guard from High Point, N.C., joins the Runnin' Bulldogs after a successful prep career at Putnam Science Academy, a national powerhouse in high school basketball and Southern Guilford. Ferere averaged 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists per game at SGHS while being named the 2023-24 3A Offensive Player of the Year as well as the NC District 7 All-District Team and District 7 Player of the Year.

Ndiaye, a 6-8 guard from Everett, Mass., comes to GWU after stops at Southwest Mississippi CC and Southern Connecticut State University. "Hami" played in 24 games at SWMCC while making 19 starts for the Bears. On the season he averaged 6.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game.

The 11 members of the 2025 signing class join returners Colin Hawkins, Jacob Hudson, Paul Lindberg, Cameron Gales, and Isaiah Hicks on the roster for Luther's second season at the helm of the program.

"I think fans of Gardner Webb basketball are going to be very excited once they see the quality of student athletes we will put on the floor for the 2025-2026 season, student athletes that will not only give us a chance to compete for championships but also represent the values of what it means to show Christ in all we do," concluded Luther.