ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Missouri Western men's basketball coach Brooks McKowen has announced the signing of 12 players for his inaugural season. This announcement completes the 13-man roster for the 2025-26 season, which includes senior
Devin Butler returning from last year.
"I am extremely excited about our first recruiting class at Missouri Western," McKowen said." With only one player returning, we had to build a whole new roster for next season. Dev Butler, being the only returner, bought into our plan for this program and has been an essential part in the recruiting process this Spring. With Devin, we were able to add 12 other guys and I feel really good about the balance and depth of the roster."
The freshman class consists of four players: Bryce Dawson (Phenix City, Ala.), Bode Goodman (Des Moines, Iowa), Jahlil Manago (Waterloo, Iowa), and Trey McKowen (Cedar Rapids, Iowa). The sophomore class features Gavin Hershberger (Castle Pines, Colo.) and Henri Young Jr. (Elyria, Ohio).
Hershberger is transferring from Upper Iowa, where McKowen had spent the previous 12 seasons as the head coach. Young Jr. is transferring in after one season at Allen County Community College.
In the junior class, there are four transfers - William Kiburis (Reinbeck, Iowa), Frank Keller (Philadelphia, Penn.), and Traeger Rader (Eudora, Kan.). The senior class includes three transfer players - Ty Henry (Topeka, Kan.), Noah King (Caledonia, Minn.), and Railer Vargas Hernandez (Guarenas, Venezuela).
Kiburis and King are also transferring in from Upper Iowa. King scored over 1,000 points in his time with the Peacocks and was a two-time all-GLVC selection after having an all-American career at Kirkwood CC.
Kiburis appeared in 56 games over two seasons with the Peacocks, making six starts and scoring a combined 185 points.
Henry transfers in from Baker University, where he was a first-team all-Heart of America Athletic Conference selection in 2025, averaging 11.4 points per game this past season.
Vargas Hernandez comes to MWSU after spending this past season at NCAA Division II Limestone University in South Carolina, where he made 11 starts and averaged 5.8 points per game.
Rader spent the previous two seasons at Johnson County Community College, helping his team to a pair of NJCAA National Tournament appearances.
Keller comes in from Central Community College in Columbus, Nebraska, where he was a first-team all-conference pick and averaged 11 points and six rebounds per contest.
"The final pieces to our roster were built through transfers," McKowen added. "I feel like we were really able to balance the roster out with this group. They can all guard multiple positions and have the toughness and athleticism to be great, making our defense tough. Offensively, they will all stretch the floor and make teams pay if they lose them."
"I am excited to watch them all grow in our system and take their games to the next level. This is an exciting time for Griffon Basketball! I look forward to getting this group together and getting to work."
Bryce Dawson (G, 6-6, 185, Fr., Phenix City, Ala. / Central HS)
Central High School: A two-time all-region, three-time all-area and two-time All Chattahoochee Valley Team selection for the Red Devils … averaged 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals per game, eventually reaching the 1,000-point milestone during his senior season at Central High … was named the WTVM Kinetic Credit Union Scholar Athlete of the Week and consistently maintained an A average, making him a regular member of the honor roll.
Personal: Plans to major in sports management at Missouri Western.
Bode Goodman (G, 6-2, 195, Fr., Des Moines, Iowa / Waukee Northwest HS)
Waukee High School: A first-team all-state, first-team Des Moines Elite, first-team all-conference player and first-team all-substate selection for the Wolves … throughout his high school career at Waukee Northwest, he averaged 18.7 points, five assists, five rebounds and three steals per game.
Personal: Plans to major in sports management at Missouri Western.
Ty Henry (G, 6-5, 195, Sr., Topeka, Kan. / Seaman HS / Baker)
Baker University (2022-25): An All-Heart of America Conference First Team selection in 2025 … appeared in 96 games with 58 starts in three seasons with the Wildcats … totaled 809 points on 310-592 (52.4%) shooting … shot 92-224 (42.9 %) from behind the arc and 93-105 (88.6%) from the free-throw line … added 367 rebounds, 123 assists, 88 steals and 34 blocks.
Seaman High School: Helped the Vikings claim a KSHSAA Class 5A State Championship.
Personal: Plans to graduate with a degree in sports management at Missouri Western in 2026.
Gavin Hershberger (G, 5-10, 175, So., Castle Pines, Colo. / Rock Canyon HS / Upper Iowa)
Upper Iowa University (2023-25): Received the GLVC's James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Award … started in all 30 games during his redshirt freshman season … totaled 229 points (7.6 PPG) … shot 76-216 (35.2%) from the field, including 46-138 (33.3%) from behind the arc, and was 31-40 (77.5%) at the free throw line … added 70 rebounds, 62 assists, 31 steals and one block for the Peacocks … redshirted the 2023-24 season.
Rock Canyon High School: Was the conference Player of the Year and an all-state second team selection for the Jaguars … averaged 18 points, five assists and 3.5 rebounds per game.
Personal: Plans to major in business management at Missouri Western.
Frank Keller (F, 6-7, 185, Jr., Philadelphia, Penn. / Ames HS / Central CC)
Central Community College (2023-25): An all-conference first team selection … received the Rookie of the Year award … averaged 11 points and six rebounds a game for the Raiders … in his sophomore year, he appeared in 28 games with 26 starts, averaging 12.1 points per game on 106-225 (47.1%) shooting, while also acquiring 172 rebounds and 64 assists.
Ames High School: Helped the Little Cyclones qualify for the state tournament … averaged nine points and nine rebounds a game.
Personal: Plans to earn a degree in IT at Missouri Western.
William Kiburis (6-4, 190, Jr., Reinbeck, Iowa / Gladbrook-Reinbeck HS / Upper Iowa)
Upper Iowa University (2023-25): Appeared in 56 games with six starts for the Peacocks … finished with 185 points (3.3 PPG) on 65-117 (55.6%) shooting … connected on six shots from behind the arc and was 49-66 (74.2%) from the free-throw line … added 141 rebounds, 49 assists, 33 steals and eight blocks.
Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School: Lettered in basketball and baseball for the Rebels … was the 2023 Class 1A Basketball Player of the Year … averaged 26 points, eight assists and eight rebounds per game … went 9-1 on the bump with 130 strikeouts in 60.2 innings of work. '
Personal: Plans to also be on the Griffon Baseball team … is majoring in accounting at Missouri Western.
Noah King (G, 6-2, 205, Sr., Caledonia, Minn. / Caledonia HS / Kirkwood CC / Upper Iowa)
Upper Iowa University (2023-25): A two-time All-GLVC recipient, including first team honors in the 2023-24 season … started in all 59 games over two seasons … finished his tenure with the Peacocks with 1,001 points (17.0 PPG), reaching the 1,000-point milestone at the NCAA Division II level in the GLVC Tournament Semifinals against Missouri St. Louis (3/8/25) … shot 390-863 (45.2%) from the field, with a 30.9 % (75-243) success rate from behind the arc … tallied 235 rebounds, 135 assists, 26 steals and three blocks.
Kirkwood Community College (2020-2023): An NJCCAA All-America Second Team and Division II All-Region First Team selection in 2022-23 … started in all 53 games for the Eagles … finished with 794 points (13.4 PPG) on 251-638 (39.3%) shooting … shot 89-301 (39.3%) from behind the arc and 158-205 (77.1) from the free-throw line … added 229 rebounds, 182 assists, 32 steals and five blocks.
Caledonia High School: A five-time all-conference pick for the Warriors … is the school's all-time scoring leader with 2,575 career points … averaged 22.7 points per game in his senior campaign.
Personal: Plans to graduate with a degree in general studies in 2026.
Jahlil Manago (G, 6-4, 182, Fr., Waterloo, Iowa / West High HS)
West High School: Was a two-time all-conference first team, two-time all-metro first team and two-time all-substate selection for the Wahawks … also excelled in the classroom with an all-academic first team honor.
Personal: Plans to major in exercise science at Missouri Western.
Trey McKowen (G, 5-11, 175, Fr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa / Kennedy HS)
Kennedy High School: Was the Iowa Class 4A Player of the Year and a two-time all-state first team selection for the Cougars … recorded 22.7 points, 4.8 assists and 3.6 steals per game.
Personal: Is the nephew of head coach Brooks McKowen … plans to major in business at Missouri Western.
Traeger Rader (F, 6-8, 205, Jr., Eudora, Kan. / Eudora HS / Johnson County CC)
Johnson County Community College (2023-25): Helped the Cavaliers to a pair of NJCAA National Tournament appearances … averaged 6.1 points and 4.1 rebounds a game … his 44.7% from behind the arc ranked 12th all-time in program history.
Eudora High School: Averaged 13 points and seven rebounds for the Cardinals.
Personal: Plans to major in business at Missouri Western.
Railer Vargas Hernandez (F/C, 6-10, 230, Sr., Guarenas, Venezuela / Upper Room Christian School / Southeastern CC / Limestone)
Limestone University (2024-25): Appeared in 22 games with 11 starts in his one season playing for the Saints … tallied 127 points (5.8 PPG) after hitting 51-81 (63%) from the field … collected 110 boards (5.0 RPG), while also adding 12 blocks, 11 steals and nine assists.
Southeastern Community College: Played in 63 games with three starts for the Blackhawks … recorded 301 points on 120-240 (50%) effort over two seasons … shot 44-107 (41.1%) from behind the arc, and was 17-23 (73.9%) from the free-throw line … added 203 rebounds, 33 assists, 22 steals and 15 blocks.
Upper Room Christian School: Averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds and two assists per game.
Personal: Plans to graduate in 2026 with a degree in human resources management.
Henri Young Jr. (F, 6-9, 196, So., Elyria, Ohio / Centennial HS / Allen County CC)
Allen County Community College (2024-25): Appeared in 28 games with 27 starts for the Red Devils in his freshman season … totaled 216 points (7.7 PPG) on 78-225 (34.7%) shooting … shot 48-120 (40%) from behind the arc, and was 11-18 (66.7%) from the free-throw line … added 79 rebounds, 22 assists, 13 blocks and eight steals.
Centennial High School: An All-City Second Team selection in 2022-23 … was the Team Defensive Player of the Year (2022-23), a Team Captain (2022-23) and the Most Improved Player (2021-22) … averaged 13.5 points, six rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game for the Stars.
Personal: Plans to pursue a degree in Construction Engineering Technology at Missouri Western.
