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PISCATAWAY, N.J. (OCT. 16, 2025) <\/strong>\u2013 As the college athletics landscape continues to evolve, Rutgers University men’s basketball celebrated its past and present at the annual “Meet The Team Knight” on Thursday evening, hosted by 10th-year head coach Steve Pikiell<\/a><\/a>. More than 250 guests joined the program for an evening of laughs, memories, and Scarlet Knight pride. “The key ingredient on our team was that we cared about each other, we had chemistry, and we had one singular focus \u2013 to win as many games as we could and make the state of New Jersey proud,” Dabney said. “I think we accomplished that. However, we’d be more than happy to give up our cherished season for this team to be successful.”<\/p>\n The evening began at Jersey Mike’s Arena, where attendees watched an open practice session and scrimmage before meeting the 2025-26 Scarlet Knights. Among the guests was Team IMPACT signee, 10-year-old Trent Powers<\/strong>, who joined his new teammates courtside for the day. Gallery:<\/b> (10-17-2025) Men’s Basketball Meet the Team Knight <\/p>\n \nCoach Pikiell opened the program with his trademark humor before introducing a tribute video to the 1976 team. Mike MacDonald RC’75<\/strong>, the inaugural Boylan Award recipient, reflected on Coach Boylan’s legacy, the 1976 team’s impact, and his ongoing support for Rutgers Athletics.
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\n“I’ve been blessed because I’ve gotten to know these guys through the years,” said Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell<\/a>, who served as emcee. “You are a symbol of all that is good with Rutgers \u2013 you’re loyal to Rutgers, you guys have stuck together through adversity, you’ve helped each other through life. You guys are a shining example.”
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\nThe highlight of the night was the presentation of the Joe Boylan award, given this year to the 1976 Final Four team<\/strong>, nearly all of whom returned for the celebration. Two All-American members of that squad, Mike Dabney RC’76<\/strong> and Hollis Copeland RC’78<\/strong>, accepted the award and shared memories from that undefeated regular-season that captured the attention of the entire state.<\/p>\n
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\nFollowing practice, the celebration moved over to the RWJBarnabas Health Athletic Performance Center for a cocktail reception, complete with a string quartet, signature drinks, and Sir Henry greeting fans. Dinner and the formal programming took place upstairs on the Brown Family Practice Court.
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\nPikiell then introduced his 2025-26 roster, offering lighthearted commentary on each player, from returners Max Fradkin<\/a>, Dylan Grant<\/a>, and Bryce Dortch<\/a>, to newcomers Lino Mark<\/a>, Darren Buchanan Jr.<\/a>, and Baye Fall<\/a>.
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\nThe entertainment continued as Assistant Athletic Director for Communications Chris Corso<\/a> hosted fan-favorite games \u2013 Name Your Baby Knight, featuring newcomers Kaden Powers<\/a>, Chris Nwuli<\/a>, Dorian Jones<\/a>, and Gevonte<\/a> Ware; Know Your Roommate with returners Jamichael Davis<\/a> and Emmanuel Ogbole<\/a>; Jersey Jeopardy with European freshmen Denis Badalau<\/a> and Harun Zrno<\/a>.
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\nThe night concluded with remarks from Director of Athletics <\/strong>Keli Zinn<\/strong><\/a>, who emphasized the department’s foundation for sustained success and the ongoing growth of the R NIL initiative<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 which officially kicks off this Homecoming Weekend. Coach Pikiell closed the evening by thanking attendees for their unwavering support \u2013 and leaving them with a few final one-liners.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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