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Alex Jensen finalizes Utah basketball roster with nine new transfers for 2025–26

Plus: Who do you think will win Utah’s backup QB spot?

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Former Ute player Alex Jensen arrives for his formal introduction as new head coach of the Utah men’s basketball team at the Huntsman Center on Monday, March 17, 2025.

It’s been three months since first-year Runnin’ Utes head coach Alex Jensen arrived in Salt Lake City.

Following a busy transfer portal season and a dash to fill assistant coaching staff positions, Jensen has officially plugged every need for his team heading into the 2025-26 season.

“We’re excited to officially announce the men’s basketball roster,” Jensen said in a news release. “Our staff has taken great care in constructing a roster that’ll compete on the court and make a positive impact on our community while also being great stewards of our University. We’re thrilled to get to work and can’t wait for the season to begin.”

Utah is welcoming nine new transfer portal prospects and will also have three holdovers from Craig Smith’s tenure in Utah.

Here’s a quick look at where Utah’s roster stands:

Incoming transfers:

  • Babacar Faye, forward from Western Kentucky
  • Don McHenry, guard from Western Kentucky
  • Seydou Traore, forward from Iowa
  • Jahki Howard, forward from Auburn
  • Elijah Moore, guard from Syracuse
  • James Okonkwo, forward from Akron
  • Terrence Brown, guard from Fairleigh Dickinson

    • Freshman recruits:

  • Jacob Patrick, guard from the Otto-Hahn Gymnasium Ludwigsburg
  • Kendyl Sanders, forward from St. Bernard HS/IMG Academy

    • Returners:

  • Ibi Traore, forward from West Oaks Academy
  • Jerry Huang, guard from Wasatch Academy
  • Keanu Dawes, forward from Stratford High School

    • (Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah quarterback Isaac Wilson (11) at the Utah Utes spring football game in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

    The Big Thing: Who do you think will win Utah’s backup quarterback spot?

    For the last several weeks, I dove into what Utah’s backup quarterbacks are bringing to the table in 2025.

    First, I broke down why Isaac Wilson decided to return to the Utes after entering the transfer portal.

    You can read that here.

    Then I went into the promise and potential that Jamarian “Byrd” Ficklin showcased in Utah’s spring camp.

    You can also read that here, if you’d like.

    Now? I’d like you to hear your opinion on the matter.

    Who do you think will be Utah’s backup quarterback in 2025 behind starter and New Mexico transfer Devon Dampier?

    That’s it for me this week! Thanks for reading, as always.

    — Jason Batacao, The Salt Lake Tribune