Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Rockhurst University Athletics

Davit Kakushadze shooting

Men's Basketball

Hawks open season with deep roster

Davit Kakushadze averaged 10.5 points last season
The Rockhurst men's basketball team tips off the 2023-24 season with a roster loaded with experience and athleticism.

Coach Drew Diener begins his ninth season at Rockhurst with seven returning players who averaged over 10 minutes a game last season.

"I think our strength is our depth. We have so many guys who can bring different strengths to the table, offensively or defensively," Diener said. "We need to make sure that the guys get some rhythm out there."

The top returners are senior guard Jake Auer, junior forward Davit Kakushadze and sophomore forward Timaris Brown. Auer has averaged 11.0 points in his first three seasons and is one of the top 3-point shooters in the GLVC. Kakushadze and Brown combined for 593 points and 258 rebounds last season.

"We have guys who have logged a lot of minutes and who have scored big baskets for us," Diener said. "We've had good leadership in the preseason. I've seen guys that are returning who have made noticeable improvements in the offseason.

"I think we will have more ball screen action and more spacing. We want to try and get out in transition and take advantage of our depth. I think our shot selection is going to be big."

Sophomore guard Miles White and senior guard Nick Arensberg combined for 40 starts last year. Nico Felici, Davit Abuladze, Aidan Clarey and Makye Loggins also return in the backcourt. Rron Thaci, Connor Renard and Tyler DeGroote will see minutes in the frontcourt.

Freshman guard Brian Hawthorne and junior center Arol Kacuol will provide added depth to the roster. Hawthorne will share point guard duties with Felici and Abuladze.

"Our goals this year are to make the NCAA Tournament and advance in the GLVC Tournament," added Diener, who guided the Hawks to a 16-13 record last year.

Rockhurst opens the season at home in the GLVC/GLIAC Challenge against Purdue Northwest (Friday at 7 p.m.) and Davenport (Saturday at 1 p.m.). Conference play begins on Nov. 30 at McKendree.
 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Davit Abuladze

#3 Davit Abuladze

G
6' 6"
Sophomore
Nick Arensberg

#50 Nick Arensberg

G
6' 3"
Senior
Jake Auer

#4 Jake Auer

G
6' 0"
Senior
Timaris Brown

#30 Timaris Brown

F
6' 5"
Sophomore
Aidan Clarey

#1 Aidan Clarey

G
6' 0"
Senior
Tyler DeGroote

#32 Tyler DeGroote

F
6' 7"
Sophomore
Nico Felici

#0 Nico Felici

G
6' 2"
Senior
Connor Renard

#42 Connor Renard

C
6' 7"
Junior
Rron Thaci

#11 Rron Thaci

F
6' 5"
Junior
Miles White

#5 Miles White

G
6' 2"
Sophomore
Brian Hawthorne

#12 Brian Hawthorne

G
6' 2"
Freshman
Arol Kacuol

#21 Arol Kacuol

C
6' 9"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Davit Abuladze

#3 Davit Abuladze

6' 6"
Sophomore
G
Nick Arensberg

#50 Nick Arensberg

6' 3"
Senior
G
Jake Auer

#4 Jake Auer

6' 0"
Senior
G
Timaris Brown

#30 Timaris Brown

6' 5"
Sophomore
F
Aidan Clarey

#1 Aidan Clarey

6' 0"
Senior
G
Tyler DeGroote

#32 Tyler DeGroote

6' 7"
Sophomore
F
Nico Felici

#0 Nico Felici

6' 2"
Senior
G
Connor Renard

#42 Connor Renard

6' 7"
Junior
C
Rron Thaci

#11 Rron Thaci

6' 5"
Junior
F
Miles White

#5 Miles White

6' 2"
Sophomore
G
Brian Hawthorne

#12 Brian Hawthorne

6' 2"
Freshman
G
Arol Kacuol

#21 Arol Kacuol

6' 9"
Junior
C