By Joe Budzelek
On Saturday, Oct. 11, the St. Bonaventure men’s basketball program hosted its first-ever pro day at the National Basketball Players Association training facility in midtown Manhattan. Yet another innovative move under former NBA journalist and current general manager Adrian Wojnarowski, the historic event marked the first pro day hosted by a mid-major program in seven years—and the first collegiate pro day ever held at an off-campus site.
Representatives from more than twenty NBA teams, including New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau, were in attendance as the event not only showcased the pro potential of the Bonnies’ current roster but also set the program apart for prospective recruits by making it easier than ever to witness the masterclass of a Mark Schmidt-led practice without traveling all the way to Olean, N.Y.
Throughout its illustrious history, St. Bonaventure basketball has produced 33 NBA draft picks. Most recently, Andrew Nicholson was selected 19th overall by the Orlando Magic in 2012. The program’s professional legacy dates back to the draft’s inception in 1947, led by Hall of Famer Bob Lanier, the first overall pick in 1970.
While most scouts and media personnel in attendance were focused on the future, the foundation of this year’s St. Bonaventure team is already clear. The Bonnies will be led by upperclassman Dasonte Bowen, the team’s starting point guard and an A-10 Preseason All-Conference Second Team selection; his backcourt mate, Gardner-Webb transfer Darryl “Buddy” Simmons II; and Minnesota transfer Frank Mitchell, who anchors the interior.
The Bonnies’ most experienced returner, Dasonte Bowen, has been named this year’s team captain after averaging 11 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals per game during an injury-shortened ten-game stretch last season, following the start of his career at Iowa. Calm under pressure, Bowen showcases excellent on-ball timing, often lulling defenders off balance. With 80% of his career shot attempts coming from inside the arc, Bowen can create off the dribble and draw contact, converting nearly 80% of his free-throw attempts — making him a must-play, late-game option for Mark Schmidt.
While Bowen is more of an interior scoring weapon, Gardner-Webb transfer Darryl “Buddy” Simmons — by way of St. Bonaventure’s pipeline program Putnam Science Academy — has the look of a classic PSA guard: crafty, fearless, poised, and creative. The undersized 5’11”, 165-pound combo guard can score from all three levels. Don’t be fooled by his frame — Simmons is pound-for-pound one of the strongest players in the A-10, boasting a 355-pound squat and a 275-pound bench press.
Last season, the Second Team All-Big South selection averaged 17.4 points per game and gained notoriety as an elite endgame closer, thanks to his comfort creating offense off the bounce, drawing contact, and converting at the line — where he knocked down 92% of his free-throw attempts.
For my MAAC followers, this is not the same player we saw in his first Division I season at Canisius, where he averaged a double-double. He’s still the same intense, passionate, and physically dominant force down low from two seasons ago — but Frank Mitchell is now in the best shape of his life, having improved his quickness, motor, and verticality despite being a 270-pound powerhouse.
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| Minnesota transfer Frank Mitchell showcasing one of his many high-flying dunks. |
After starting nine games last season at Minnesota, one particular skill that stood out this afternoon was his creativity, strength, and touch as a passer — both out of the post and on skip passes to the perimeter. A-10 centers, beware: Mitchell will be a nightmare to guard, and he’s a strong bet to lead the league in offensive rebounds and second-chance points.
Meanwhile, JUCO addition Joe Grahovac brings one of the most intriguing personal stories in college basketball. The 24-year-old power forward has risen rapidly in just two seasons — from never having played organized basketball and running pickup games at a 24 Hour Fitness to becoming an X-factor with arguably the most enticing pro potential on the roster.
The 6’10”, 215-pound Grahovac has emerged as one of the most compelling players in the sport, possessing the potential, build, and skill set of a modern-day NBA power forward. At Fullerton College, the SoCal 3C2A California State Player of the Year made an immediate impact, averaging 16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and nearly 3 blocks per game while shooting 62% from the field, nearly 40% from three, and 80% from the free-throw line.
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| Despite being the tallest player on St. Bonaventure, Joe Grahovac possesses excellent skill and composure on the perimeter. |
A rare blend of size and athleticism, Grahovac combines a 9-foot-plus standing reach with quick-twitch explosiveness and bouncy energy. He’s active, vocal, and excellent in space — unafraid to battle underneath the basket — but it’s his perimeter skill, team-first mentality, and physical tools that set him apart. With a 9-foot-1 standing reach, it wouldn’t be surprising to see “Big Joe” on an NBA roster sooner rather than later.
While Bowen and Simmons II are locks to start in the backcourt while Mitchell and Grahovac man the starting frontcourt, the battle for the final spot in the starting lineup will either be earned by a 3-guard or a more traditional small forward.
Tennessee Tech transfer Daniel Egbuniwue stood out in Saturday’s practice as the 6’7”, 215-pound senior showcased his two-way, multipositional versatility, highlighted by his high-energy play and relentless motor on the floor. Last season, the wing averaged 10 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and nearly a block and a steal per game while knocking down nearly a third of his three-point attempts across two seasons with the Golden Eagles. His defensive value was also on full display, finishing last season with the team’s highest defensive metrics, per EvanMiya.com.
This year, Egbuniwue will see minutes backing up Grahovac at the 4 and serving as the team’s small forward in bigger, more physical lineups. If he continues on his current trajectory, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Memphis native attract NBA scouts’ attention as a versatile, two-way glue wing at the next level.
With 1,108 points and 172 assists across his freshman season at Hofstra and two seasons at Albany, 6’4”, 215-pound senior transfer Amar’e Marshall provides the Bonnies with a significant offensive weapon in the backcourt. He has the potential to start at the 3 or see minutes as a bigger 2-guard in more physical rotations. With a career 37% three-point percentage and 78% from the free-throw line, Marshall is a true three-level scorer. The America East All-Conference Third Team selection can play both on-ball and create off the bounce.
Joining St. Bonaventure after averaging 13 points, 4.4 assists, and 4 rebounds per game with CSKA Moscow, 6’6”, 200-pound Ilia Ermakov is a big freshman guard with true point guard abilities, thanks to his handle, high half-court awareness, and excellent court vision. A comfortable scorer from all three levels, Ermakov is a strong candidate to earn minutes backing up both Bowen and Simmons, while also possessing the versatility and size to play alongside the two veteran guards as a 3-guard. Turning 18 just two months ago, St. Bonaventure beat out the likes of Gonzaga, Virginia, and Marquette for the young Russian guard, who boasts one of the more enticing levels of NBA potential on the team.
Achille Lonati is another import backcourt addition. The 6’5” floor spacer is one of two new Bonnies from Italy’s 2025 FIBA U20 EuroBasket gold medal team, where he hit 42% of his three-point attempts. A calm and efficient perimeter scorer, Lonati’s solid athleticism and 6’7” wingspan allow him to cover a lot of ground defensively as well. While it remains to be seen whether the talented freshman can earn an immediate role given the roster’s depth, the staff is very high on his long-term prospects as a knock-down shooter with NBA-level size.
After a standout career at North Georgia (D2), Cayden Charles joins the Bonnies as a high-energy, physical specimen who is instinctive and opportunistic on defense, with excellent timing. With his defensive and rebounding abilities, the senior from Georgia can earn minutes guarding opponents with multiple weapons in the backcourt. A muscular 6’3”, 195-pound guard with a 275-pound bench press, Charles averaged 15 points and 7 rebounds last season at North Georgia, while also shooting 37% from three.
While Mitchell and Grahovac will soak up most of the frontcourt minutes, the staff is very excited about the developmental upside of the underclassmen in the frontcourt.
With returning sophomore big Xander Wedlow missing today’s practice due to injury, Italian freshman import Andrew Osasuyi received extended looks as a potential backup for Frank Mitchell. Averaging 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game with Italy’s 2025 FIBA U20 EuroBasket gold medal team, the Bonnies’ staff is very high on the 6’9” center. Boasting a 7’4” wingspan and elite, seemingly effortless verticality, Woj mentioned on Saturday that Osasuyi “wants to block everything.” It’s no surprise the staff is excited about his defensive upside, and as his core strength develops, his control under the basket and stability on the offensive end are expected to improve.
Milton, Ontario native Brayden Jackson joins the Bonnies after playing a rotational role last season as a freshman at Buffalo. The 6’8” power forward has added twenty pounds of muscle since last offseason and scored eleven points against St. Bonaventure last season. A long, athletic, and highly coachable player who is constantly asking questions and seeking pointers from the staff, Jackson may be developed gradually as he works to improve his efficiency from behind the arc, but he can certainly earn minutes this season backing up Grahovac at the 4.
A possible redshirt candidate for the upcoming season, John Ikpotokin is the third Canadian in St. Bonaventure’s frontcourt and looked increasingly impressive as today’s practice progressed. A quick, high-flying athlete who seems bigger than his 6’7”, 210-pound frame, his upside is most evident on the defensive end. His strength allowed him to guard the Bonnies’ bigger players comfortably, while his quickness gives him arguably the most 1-through-5 switchability on the team.
Throughout his nearly two decades at St. Bonaventure, Coach Schmidt has favored very tight rotations, so despite the depth and overall talent of this team, bench usage in the 20–30% range is typical when the roster is healthy. That being said, Saturday’s showcase was impressive, as it’s clear the Bonnies have what it takes to compete in the always-competitive Atlantic 10 this season. Assuming they can retain some of their more talented underclassmen—especially considering the team has had under 10% minutes continuity in three of the last four offseasons—they could be positioned for success beyond this year. Players such as Ilia Ermakov, Achille Lonati, Xander Wedlow, Andrew Osasuyi, Brayden Jackson, and John Ikpotokin represent the next wave of St. Bonaventure’s potential starting talent.
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