Men's basketball gears up for the season
The men’s basketball team opens their season during Homecoming weekend and they are gearing up for an exciting year. Players and coaches say they are confident and expectant of what is to come.
With a mixture of veterans and new players, the Flames look to build their chemistry as they begin the 2026-27 campaign.
Assistant coach Micka Stout says the team has worked on emphasizing their defense.
“One of the things that Lee has always been known for is their defensive ability and their defensive grit,” said Stout. “That’s something we really hammered in this year.”
The Flames’ new players have done their part in adjusting to the program. Stout says the newcomers have kept a positive attitude when learning about the process.
“They’ve all been eager learners,” said Stout. “It’s been a fun team to coach and a fun team to be around just because their mindset has been to learn first and adjust second.”
Stout also identified three key players who could make an impact during the season: Eli Stapler, a second-year Flame set to make his Lee debut after a season-ending injury sustained last season, point guard Jonathan Woodlee from Maryville and transfer Matthew Curprew, who joined from junior college.
The team will face three strong opponents as they start the season in North Georgia, Tampa, and Miles.
“We’ve got three games against three really good teams to start the year,” says Stout. “It’s about truly believing what we want them to be about and truly buying into that.”
Senior guard Willie Walton believes the team’s new players will need to adjust to playing significant time during games.
“I think the challenge will more so be getting the other four or five guys that have not played significant minutes for a team up to speed and doing all the things that we do, how we do it,” says Walton.
Walton also says winning road games is an area for improvement after the team struggled in that aspect last season.
Walton is entering his final year with the program, and he hopes to lead the Flames in their goal of winning a championship.
“I do feel the responsibility to make sure that we kind of operate on the level that we want to, and that everybody’s clicking,” says Walton.
During the offseason, Walton put his main focus on gaining more size and strength to help his versatility as a scorer. He plans on using his strength to score in the paint, draw fouls, and not rely on perimeter shooting as much.
Sophomore Reese Frazier says communication and accountability will make a difference within the team.
“It’s a great group,” says Frazier. “We have guys who can talk to each other. We’re all paired up. We're all together all the time.”
The role of Frazier, an All-State player at nearby McMinn County in Athens, will be dependent on bringing energy, being physical on defense, and helping establish identity within the team.
Despite all of the adjustments that came with the roster, Frazier believes the group has the talent to go far.
“I think we’ve 100 percent got a Gulf South championship and a national championship in us,” says Frazier.
Like Walton, Frazier agrees the biggest challenge will be getting new players to play a lot of minutes they are not accustomed to playing.
Stout believes the Flames will have a successful season if everyone works hard.
“I think at the end of the day, if we all feel like we have maximized whatever our potential is, that will be successful,” says Stout.
As the schedule rolls around, students can expect to see the Flames take the court on Nov. 7, the weekend of Homecoming.
Flames fans can catch the Men’s basketball team season opener during Lee University’s Homecoming weekend. The game against the Oglethorpe University Petrels will take place on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Paul Dana Walker Arena. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Faculty, staff and President’s Circle Members receive free admission. Purchase tickets at the ticket booth on game day.
Photo by Jonathan Murray.
