By Joe Budzelek
It is rare when a coaching hire finds the right blend between experience and upside, but Fordham’s hiring of former UC Riverside head coach Mike Magpayo hits that sweet spot.
“I honestly looked at coming here as the same job assignment I had when I started at UC Riverside,” says Magpayo, “Yes, Fordham has unique qualities we can get into—the program upside and ceiling because of the history and the alumni base. But to me, it is the same kind of challenge. Fordham had only three winning seasons in 30 years, and UC Riverside had just one winning season in eighteen years. For both situations, it’s not really a “rebuild”; it’s more like building from the ground up, trying to create a winner step by step. We were able to do it at UC Riverside somehow, and hopefully we can do the same thing here at Fordham.”
Throughout his five seasons at UC Riverside, Magpayo led the Highlanders through the most successful stretch in program history, recording ten or more conference wins each year—surpassing the previous high of just seven—and culminating in the program’s first postseason appearance with an NIT berth.
Despite this recent success, Magpayo is quick to credit his achievements to the mentorship of Kyle Smith, who gave him his first assistant coaching opportunity at Columbia in 2010. That program went on to foster a coaching and management tree that now includes several current Division I head coaches, such as Todd Golden, who guided the Florida Gators to the national championship; Kevin Hovde, the new head coach at Columbia; and Jon Jacques, entering his second year as Cornell’s head coach.
Noting the inspiration of Kyle Smith and how that relates to program building, Magpayo reflects: “All of us are preaching the same thing: we look for guys with great attitudes and strong work ethics, and it’s really not much more complicated than that. We start with character, and I really believe in that. Everything I’ve learned comes from Kyle Smith and also from mentors like Kevin McGee and David Patrick—guys I’ve worked for. David Patrick came from the same coaching tree as Kyle Smith, and it’s all about relentless accountability.
“We use a lot of data and analytics. Every shooting drill is tracked, and everything is goal-oriented. I believe in that approach. We’re not always going to have the best talent, but by the time we put our product out there, hopefully our players are gritty, prepared, and able to execute an offensive or defensive game plan.
“All those little things are like layers. The better your program becomes and the longer you keep guys in it, the more your standards grow—and the standard just keeps getting raised.”
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| A full-court look from Tuesday's first official practice. This upcoming season, twelve new Rams join the squad. |
Under Magpayo, Fordham’s offense will center on three-point attempts and rim looks—an analytical approach to shot selection that has become increasingly popular among teams seeking statistical advantages—while largely eschewing the mid-range game. To generate these higher-quality looks, the offense is designed to flow in a more European style, emphasizing actions and concepts, which will then open up space for Fordham’s new playmakers.
To achieve this level of efficiency that has been unforeseen in Rose Hill for quite some time, if ever, all players are expected to be at least capable threats from the three-point line while multiple distributors rather than one point-guard orientated drink stirrer will make it difficult for teams to guard cleanly.
Defensively, the transition from Keith Urgo to Mikey Magpayo will feature some similarities: both coaches prioritize aggressive perimeter pressure. However, while Urgo’s defense thrived on generating turnovers, Magpayo’s approach focuses on limiting opponents’ ability to create quality shots.
“Our whole defensive philosophy is no threes and no middle,” says Magpayo, “That’s been the foundation—coming from Randy Bennett at Saint Mary’s, from Kyle Smith, from Todd Golden—it’s really the same template and program I run, one that I first learned from Coach Smith at Columbia. Even many of the defensive drills come from that system.
“Now, the difference for us is that we don’t have the level of rim protection we need. We’re long and athletic up and down the lineup, but we may have to switch more. That’s why we’re working on a lot of switching and trying to be more aggressive, looking to force turnovers.”
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| Yes, those are bricks in his hands. Fordham assistant coaches Ryan Hyland and Derrick Phelps oversee Harvard transfer Louis Lesmond in one-on-one defensive drills. Last season, Lesmond ranked fourth in defensive metrics on the Crimson, according to EvanMiya.com. |
In an effort to add new wrinkles to his defensive philosophy, Magpayo reached out to his former Big West adversary Eric Olen, who recently led UC San Diego to its first NCAA Tournament on the strength of one of the nation’s most dynamic defenses—despite not having anyone taller than 6-foot-8 in the rotation. With that in mind, it will be interesting to see if and how Fordham’s defense incorporates more turnover creation than is typical of a Magpayo-coached team.
When building this year’s roster in short order, Fordham did an excellent job prioritizing a versatile group of experienced and productive guards and wings in their final year of eligibility.
One player who could represent a departure from Magpayo’s traditional ‘Moneyball’ approach to analytics is Iona transfer Dejour Reaves. The six-foot graduate student finished last season as one of the MAAC’s top closers, showcasing his ability to create plays, draw fouls, and knock down clutch free throws in late-game situations. Unlike a typical Magpayo-style guard, Reaves has a deep arsenal of mid-range moves, while also proving to be a dangerous ball thief and an adept on-ball defender, particularly in the full-court press.
Eastern Michigan transfer Christian Henry is another veteran guard expected to generate significant offense. Last season, the 6-foot-3 senior averaged 3.4 assists and nearly 15 points per game, showcasing true three-level scoring ability and, like Reaves, a knack for drawing fouls and getting to the line. Considered the team’s “truest point guard,” Henry is effective both on and off the ball and isn’t afraid to get his nose dirty in the trenches. “Obviously, you can tell he’s a true point guard out there—he just has great pace,” Magpayo said. “Christian Henry has the personality for the position, and he’s played it his whole life.”
After scoring more than 1100 across two seasons at Northern Illinois and last season at Georgia State, the six-foot-seven Zarique Nutter brings a unique dynamic to Fordham’s starting lineup as a “big guard” thanks to his athletic slashing and dishing abilities while generating almost all of his offense from inside the arc. “Zarique is basically a point guard—a point forward—and we’re going to utilize him that way,” says Magpayo, “That’s another reason I talked to Eric Olen, because the Big West Player of the Year, Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, didn’t shoot many threes but drew fouls and acted as their point forward. He essentially played like a point guard for them and I’d like to see that from Zarique this season.”
Harvard grad transfer Louis Lesmond particularly shined on Tuesday’s practice as his all-around ability was on full display. A savvy six-foot-six guard with excellent conditioning, Lesmond is a good bet to start and earn a ton of minutes. “Our offense has more of a European style with actions and concepts, and I think Louis has really stood out,” says Magpayo, “We shoot a lot, and he’s a very good shooter. On top of that, he’s way more athletic than you’d expect—we saw glimpses of it on his Harvard film, but not at this level. He’s really earned playing time, even a starting spot. He’s calm, quiet, and steady—if the game’s on the line, I trust him to make a shot. The only thing I push him on is talking more, but I’m very excited about him and hope he keeps growing.”
The four senior guards mentioned above will likely lead the backcourt in minutes and give Magpayo mix-and-match lineup options—whether with Reaves, Henry, Lesmond, and Nutter all sharing the floor together, or with bigger looks featuring Lesmond at the 2 and Nutter at the 3.
Transfer senior guards Marcus Greene and Demitri Gardner will also compete for consistent backcourt minutes.
Hawai‘i transfer Marcus Greene is one of five transfers joining Fordham from the Big West. The 6-foot-2 combo guard averaged 15 points and 3 assists per game two seasons ago at Houston Christian but struggled with efficiency last year at Hawai‘i. After offseason adjustments, Greene was arguably Fordham’s most efficient three-point shooter in Tuesday’s practice, and Magpayo and his staff have been pushing him to regain the killer instinct he showed at Houston Christian. At the very least, Greene projects as a reliable three-point spacer off the bench.
After originally committing to La Salle, 6-foot-4 senior Demitri Gardner transferred to Fordham following a standout season at Division II Augusta, where the physical guard averaged 23 points per game while hitting 37% from three. With his perimeter efficiency and fearless ability to attack the rim and draw fouls, Gardner is an ideal off-the-bench piece for Magpayo’s offense.
Sophomore guards Ryan Pettis and Kingston Price return from last season, with Pettis the more likely of the two to carve out a rotation spot. The 6-foot-2 Price did not see game action last year, but the 6-foot-4 Pettis drew praise from Urgo for his energy and team-first mentality. “His last couple of practices have been so focused on playing as hard as he possibly can,” Urgo said last December. “Ryan can help us with his length, his toughness, and his quickness, so we’re going to start to see some more minutes out of him.”
In simple terms, much of Fordham’s offensive attack will flow through the veteran depth of its guards and wings. Still, the retooled backcourt carries plenty of upside and lineup flexibility, particularly with the group’s collective floor-spacing ability.
Meanwhile, a quartet of former Big West bigs is expected to claim the lion’s share of frontcourt minutes, thanks to their ability to coexist in two-big lineups.
Sophomore Jack Whitbourn, junior Rikus Schulte, and redshirt freshman Abass Bodija all followed Magpayo from UC Riverside to Fordham. Of the three, Whitbourn offers traditional center size and a savvy inside-out skill set, Schulte profiles as a bruising power forward, and Bodija’s length gives him a chance to earn minutes at both the 4 and the 5.
“Rikus Schulte played the four for us last year because of the size and strength in the Big West, but he can also slide to the five and we like Jack Whitborn’s offensive upside going into his sophomore season,” says Magpayo, “Last year, Rikus and Jack often shared the floor as role players, but they can be more than that. With Zarique, Christian, and Dae Dae, plus shooters like Louis and Marcus, we can start to see how their roles fit and complement the rest of the group.”
After sitting out last season recovering from a knee injury, the six-foot-ten Abass Bodija impressed in Tuesday’s practice with his smooth three-point stroke and a higher level two-way savvy than most redshirt freshmen. “He’s very talented, and we’re starting to see it,” says Magpayo, “We redshirted him last year as he recovered from a knee injury—he was really out for two years. Last season was tough for him, just having to sit, practice, and be coached without playing. Abass is unique because he can shoot, but he can also play in the short roll, make plays, and deliver passes. This year he’ll start with an 8–10 minute role, but he’s been surprising us every single day.”
Hawai‘i transfer Arika Jacobs joins Fordham two summers removed from suiting up with the Japanese national team in the 2024 Paris Olympics. He is also the first Japanese prospect to participate full time in the NBA Global Academy. A 6-foot-10 stretch forward with a smooth stroke, Jacobs connected on 32% of his career three-point attempts with the Rainbow Warriors. Magpayo is eager to mentor the talented forward and help round out his game. “Arika’s a floor spacer who can make teams pay,” Magpayo said. “We’ll design some looks where hopefully he can give us eight to twelve points a night. He’s more athletic than people realize, rebounds well, and can really shoot it. We’ve been coaching him hard because he needs to rebuild his confidence, but he’s going to be a big piece of the puzzle for us.”
An ace up Fordham’s sleeve is Michigan grad transfer Jace Howard, son of former Michigan head coach and current Brooklyn Nets assistant Juwan Howard. Listed at 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, Howard played sparingly across five seasons at Michigan but shot 32% from three and is pound-for-pound one of Fordham’s strongest, most physical players. That combination gives him one of the higher 3-and-D ceilings on the roster. “We’ll need Jace’s physicality, and he gives us a strong presence,” Magpayo said. “Jace can really guard—that’s why we have him switching on everything.”
Fordham’s lone freshman addition this offseason is Roor Akhuar, a 6-foot-7, 205-pound forward who will be among the youngest players in the A-10. A graduate of Basketball Australia’s Center of Excellence—the same program that produced future teammate Abass Bodija—Akhuar still looks like a player growing into his frame. He earned extra reps in Tuesday’s practice with Zarique Nutter sidelined by a minor injury and even hit the game-winning shot in the closing scrimmage. While Akhuar will be brought along gradually, his mix of length, athleticism, energy, and floor-spacing potential makes him an intriguing long-term developmental prospect.
There is a growing consensus among Fordham fans that while the excitement and hope surrounding the team may not yet stack up against A-10 elites such as VCU, Saint Louis, Dayton, George Washington, and Loyola Chicago, the future remains bright. With Mikey Magpayo’s proven track record at UC Riverside—where he transformed a perennial Big West doormat—and his persistence in recruiting players who fit his high-character, high-efficiency profile, Rose Hill is poised to renew its reputation as one of the loudest and most packed bandboxes in the conference.
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