Men's Basketball Gears Up For 2025-26 Season At ASUN Tipoff
10/22/2025 2:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With a blend of veteran leadership and promising new talent, North Florida Men's Basketball is heading into the 2025-26 season with a renewed confidence, though its main goal remains the same.
At the 2025 ASUN Basketball Tipoff on Monday, Head Coach Bobby Kennen made it clear – the continuity and depth of this team shouldn't fly under anyone's radar in pursuit of an ASUN Championship.
"I think the consistency and competitiveness of our guys has shown through every single day," Kennen said. "We've got a bunch of everyday guys. They've come out here, they've competed, they've pushed each other and we've gotten better. I think we've got great depth to our roster this year."
Leading the Ospreys will be senior guard Kamrin Oriol. In 20.8 minutes per game over 32 contests last season, the St. Petersburg, Fla., native averaged 7.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists. Oriol shot 37.1 percent from the field, 35.0 percent from three and 77.8 percent from the free-throw line. One of seven returners, Oriol is the top returning scorer and accounts for 7.3 points of the 11.8 points per game that North Florida retained.Â
Returning as North Florida's leading scorer, Oriol emphasized the importance of becoming a vocal leader.
It's a role Oriol hasn't always been asked to fulfill. Nevertheless, he's embraced the responsibility head-on throughout the preseason. From moving more than 2,500 miles away after high school to play at The Master's University in Calif., to becoming the go-to-guy for North Florida Men's Basketball, Oriol's hard work has undoubtedly paid off.
"It's amazing," Oriol said. "These are the things you pray for and hope for. When it's finally here, you just got to take advantage of it, and I'm excited to be able to have that role. I've worked my whole life for it."
Becoming the leader of any team often takes more than a vocal presence, and Oriol is no stranger to this narrative. He has earned the respect of his teammates and coaching staff not just from his leadership skills, but from delivering elite performances at North Florida last season.
One of Oriol's favorite memories as an Osprey thus far was drilling a game-tying three-pointer with under two minutes left in a road win at South Carolina on Nov. 4, 2024. That was the first game of the season last year. From there, Oriol went on to score in double figures six times, including a 12-point six-rebound outing at Georgia on Nov. 12, 2024.
It's been these big-time moments that have allowed Oriol to feel prepared for the opportunity he's now presented with.
"A lot of young guys are looking up to me, and [I'm]Â just being that person that they can talk to," Oriol said. "Just being here for a year, and being an older guy, I just have a lot of experience. So, [I'm] just sharing that with all the new guys."
Oriol is grateful for the opportunity to lead the Ospreys in 2025-26, however, his tone reflects a deep competitive drive. He isn't just content to be in this position – he's focused on maximizing it.Â
"It means a lot," Oriol said. "[I'm] definitely being more of a vocal leader. I've always been more of a lead-by-example kind of guy, and I still like my main leadership style, but just being more vocal [is important]."
Among the top newcomers who have benefited from Oriol's presence is sophomore guard Kent Jackson. The high-impact Jacksonville transfer has quickly adapted to North Florida's system. Jackson appeared in 32 games and averaged 2.7 points, on 32.6 percent from the field, 32.5 percent from three and 80.0 percent from the free throw line in 10.8 minutes per game in 2024-25.
When asked what Osprey fans can expect to see from him this season, Jackson's answer was direct and concise.
"A guy that can make open shots and make some tough shots," Jackson said. "I'm willing to do whatever I need to do for the team to win."
In the transfer-portal era, athletes often have a variety of schools pursuing them when the window opens. Jackson was presented with a similar scenario, however, while some players may have prioritized finding a school where they could have individual success, Jackson did just the opposite.
"When I went in the portal, I was looking for a group of high-character [guys] and just a program that would fit me well," Jackson said. "I found both at UNF."
North Florida's depth this season stems further than its prolific backcourt duo. With seven returners, four freshmen and three transfers on UNF's roster this season, head coach Bobby Kennen has plenty of diverse talent to display on the hardwood.
Although it may be Kennen's first season at the helm at North Florida, he's building something sustainable — through player development, recruitment and culture. Kennen has been pleased to see North Florida's roster blend seamlessly, speaking to the buy-in that he's facilitated in an innate amount of time.
"I think all of our returners have made great jumps, led by Kamrin Oriol," Kennen said. "[Nestor Dyachok] made big steps, Mason Lee's made big steps [and] Dante Oliver has. I think our transfers are all talented in [Dalton Gayman], [Devin Hines] and [Kent Jackson]. We have an outstanding freshman class, so I'm pleased with all of them."
Graduate forward Nestor Dyachok returned to North Florida after playing in 10 games and averaging 2.2 points and 1.5 rebounds in 5.4 minutes per game in 2024-25. Dyachok shot 42.1 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from three and 75.0 percent from the free-throw line last season.
Among North Florida's top newcomers is graduate guard/forward Dalton Gayman. The Nevada, Mo., native played in 25 games with 21 starts and averaged 9.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game at Purdue Northwest last season. Gayman shot 42.7 percent from the field, 36.9 percent from three and 70.2 percent from the free-throw line in 24.5 minutes per game in 2024-25.
With an influx of talent, North Florida finds itself with the pieces — and the mindset — to thrive in a talented ASUN field. If consistency continues to become the norm at North Florida, the Ospreys could be a team no ASUN team wants to see come March.
And Kennen knows what it will take to get there.
"The biggest overall improvement needs to be consistency," Kennen said. "Last year we were kind of up and down a little bit. We've got to get better on the defensive end of the floor, [and] we've got to do a little bit better job with shot selection on the offensive end."
