La Salle: Jayme Hollingsworth’s first scout of the season

“Oh my God, we’re back again!” – Backstreet Boys

The air seems fresher. The Star Pizza is in the oven. The Section 12X gear is laid out. The Ritz…is awesome! It’s BASKETBALL SEASON!!! The (0-0) Houston Cougars will face the (0-0) La Salle Explorers in their season-opening game in year 13 (at UH) for Kelvin Sampson.

La Salle should be much improved from their 9-23 season last year, but currently lack the physical athletes to compete with Houston. They will launch the three-pointer often, as they added several good shooters in the transfer portal. Houston will look to create chaos on defense and force them off the three-point line, which will be an issue for the Explorers.

Red-shirt junior guard (Texas A&M transfer) Rob Dockery is their “Head of the Snake.” He’s their returning leading scorer and had a great exhibition game last week. Jerome Brewer Jr. didn’t play in their exhibition game, and his season was cut short last year. He really popped on film to me, and I’ll be intrigued should he play Monday night.

Fans should get to see everyone on the active roster. I’ll be looking for some of the less experienced guys to get some early action versus another D1 program.

La Salle Offensive Notes

• After their exhibition game last week, Head Coach Darris Nichols said the Explorers will strive to shoot 50 three-pointers per game this season. They shot 44 vs. Neumann and made 12 in their 107-61 victory.
• The Explorers strive to get an offensive rebound on 33% of their misses to provide put-back and dagger-three opportunities.
• Noah Collier appears to be their only real low post threat. I think they’ll struggle around the rim with Houston’s physicality.

Explorers Defensive Notes

• M2M – They played M2M (Man-to-Man) defense 92% of the time last season.

• They tend to switch on ball screens, which puts their big men, who aren’t overly athletic, in compromising situations.
• They usually play behind in the post, and don’t tend to bring a double-team. I’d look inside early and often.
• Zone – They played zone defense 8% of the time last season.
• When in zone, La Salle ran a 1-2-2 half-court often last year. Kelvin Sampson will dice it up if they run it on Monday night.
• Press – La Salle pressed 123 times last season.
• They want to make it hard to get the ball inbounds, then typically retreat. At times, they fake retreating and use a “run-and-jump” press. Monceaux, Towns, Bobby Champagne, Ms. Barbara (loyal GoCoogs subscriber), and I could beat their press.

La Salle Personnel (*Indicates likely starters)

(Averages are from their single exhibition game vs. Neumann on October 27, 2026)

*#2 – Rob Dockery – 6’6″ – RS JR – Guard – (Texas A&M) – 21ppg, 6rpg, 3apg.

• Athletic/tall guard. Appears to have a long wingspan.
• He was the Explorers’ leading scorer last season, averaging 12.5 points per game.
• Likes to play in the mid-post vs. smaller guards.
• At his best when driving right to score at the rim. He can go left and draw fouls in the paint.
• Dockery doubled his next-closest teammate in free-throw attempts last year (125-162, 77%).
• Didn’t shoot or make many three-point baskets last season (14-56, 25%).

*#0 – Kam Burton – 6’3″ – JR – Guard – (Stephen F. Austin, Southeastern Louisiana) – 6ppg, 2apg.

• Houston kid (Went to the same HS as Keisean Henderson).
• Started every game for SFA last season.
• Outstanding shooting guard from downtown (76-179, 42%) at SFA.
• Most of his shot attempts come from catch-and-shoot three-pointers or handoffs on the move.
• If he doesn’t shoot the three-ball, he doesn’t mind the pull-up jumper off the bounce.
• Not going to look to drive to the rim very often.

*#10 – Jaden Johnson – 6’2″ – JR – Guard – (Old Dominion) – 3ppg, 3rpg, 3apg.

• Smaller/stockier point guard;
• Loves the mid-range jumper. He’s looking to shake-and-bake his guy to get past him, then get to his jump shot or in the paint.
• Did not shoot or make many three-pointers at all last season (5-23, 22%).
• Solid driving to the rim with either hand.

*#5 – Anthony Finkley – 6’7″ – SR – Forward – (Saint Joseph’s) – 14ppg, 9rpg, 5apg.

• Tall/Big body forward. Not overly athletic.
• Prefers the catch-and-shoot three-pointer, but can score around the rim at times.
• Has a good-looking shot and can make it from DEEP. At his best from the top of the key or from the corner.

*#7 – Noah Collier – 6’9″ – GR – Forward – (William & Mary, Pitt) – 7ppg, 6rpg.

• Former 4-Star recruit. Only played 3 games last season due to a knee injury.
• This will be his 7th season in college basketball.
• Tall/strong post player. Was outstanding at William and Mary two years ago.
• Capable of playing back to the basket or in the pick-and-roll.
• Showed the ability to step out and shoot the three at W&M (5-12, 42%).
• Led the team in rebounding at W&M with 5 RPG.

#4 – Devin Booker – 6’4″ – SO – Guard – (George Mason) – 17ppg, 1rpg, 2apg.

• Long/slender guard off the bench. Was not consistent at GMU (played like a freshman).
• Doesn’t have great shooting form (7-31, 23%) last season at GMU.
• Shows flashes of great athleticism.

#3 – RJ Smith – 5’9″ – FR – Guard – 14ppg, 4rpg, 6apg.

• Very small freshman point guard. Won’t be surprised if he ends up at Villanova soon.
• Played high-level high school ball in Philly. Smith won numerous championships and was the MVP of the public school league.
• Will look to bring electricity and scoring off the bench (had 14 points in their exhibition game last Tuesday night).
• It will be interesting to see how he competes against a 4-year starter like DJ Thomas.

#8 – Trey Moss – 6’3″ – RS SR – Guard – (George Washington, USF, William & Mary) – 6ppg, 1rpg, 1apg.

• World Traveler. Sat out last season at GWU due to injury.
• Smaller three-level scoring guard off the bench.
• Not an elite three-point shooter, but has a nice compact form.
• Best when attacking the rim or shooting the pull-up jumper. Will have to see his burst after sitting out last season.

#25 – Bowan Beatty – 7’0″ – SR – Forward – (Sacramento State) – 4ppg, 4rpg.

• Tall stretch forward/post player.
• Can step out and shoot the three.
• Used to set tons of screens.
• At his best when ducking in around the basket. No legit post moves.
• Not great footwork. Gets his shot blocked pretty often (Hello Jojo!). Weak with the ball. Freaks out under pressure. The UH blitz wiill give him fits.

#12 – Francois Nkoy-Eale – 6’11” – JR – Forward – (New Mexico JC) – 6ppg, 4rpg.

• Big-bodied post player. Pretty talented in limited film against lower competition.
• Appears to finish around the rim with either hand.
• Not a threat away from the basket. Will likely have nightmares after meeting Jojo at the rim.
• From Ireland, but played on the U20 Latvian National Team.

#11 – Vice Zanki – 6’8″ – SR – Forward – (Niagara, Eastern Washington) – 0ppg, 6rpg, 2apg.

• Big-bodied forward off the bench.
• Three-point specialist. Loved to shoot from the right corner (42-109, 29%) at Niagara last season.

#13 – Max Lipacis – 6’7″ – SR – Forward – 1ppg, 3rpg.

• Big-bodied forward.
• Played extremely limited minutes last season.
• Most comfortable around the basket.

#21 – Breylon Webb – 6’7″ – FR – Guard – 3ppg, 7rpg.

• Long/athletic freshman guard.
• Three-level scorer in high school. Will need to put some weight on to take bumps around the basket.
• Probably not quite ready for this level, but should be good in a couple of years.

#23 – Jay Nelson Mboudjika – 6’10” – FR – Forward – 2ppg, 1rpg.

• BIG freshman post player.
• He’s currently a project. He doesn’t move well and has poor hands/footwork. BUT he’s big and will improve. He will struggle vs. any of the UH big men.
• Likes the right-hand hook shot and duck-in dunks.

#24 – Jerome Brewer Jr. – 6’9″ – RS SR – Forward – (McNeese, East Texas A&M when it was called Texas A&M-Commerce) – DND

• Did not play in their exhibition game last Tuesday.
• Started 15 games last season before a season-ending injury.
• If he’s healthy, he is potentially their best player. Super athletic 6’9″ forward who can do a little bit of everything. Outstanding positional size!
• Great around the basket (ducking in or driving).
• Can step out and shoot the three at his size. Was (19-62, 31%) last season before his injury.

#30 – Jamison Lynam – 5’10” – JR – Guard – (Arcadia) – DND

• Did not play in their exhibition game last Tuesday.
• Played DIII basketball last season at Arcadia. Was the conference newcomer of the year.
• Talented three-level scoring guard at 5’10”.
• Averaged 18ppg. Shot 66-for-156 (42%) from beyond the arc.

#14 – Eunique Rink – 6’10” – JR – Forward – (Hampton) – DND

• Did not play in their exhibition game last Tuesday.
• Long/athletic post player.
• Does most of his work on offense right around the rim.
• Defensive specialist. Really good shot blocker.

My Game Plan vs La Salle

1. Defend the three-point line. They want to shoot 50 three-pointers per game. Run them off the line!
2. Feed the post. La Salle can’t match the UH physicality. Feed Reek, Jojo, Braden, and Arafan early and often!
3. Pick-and-roll them to death. The Explorers showed no signs of defending the P&R last season. I’d have DJ and Reek/Jojo challenge them from the jump.

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