ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Griffon Men's Basketball Head Coach Brooks McKowen announced his signing class for the 2026-27 season.

McKowen and his staff have inked eight players for the upcoming season – four freshmen and four transfers.

"We are extremely excited about this recruiting class as a whole," McKowen said. "We were able to bring in players who fit the culture we established last season. This group has a great balance of experienced college basketball players from different levels, along with several talented freshmen who will be able to compete and contribute from day one."

The eight newcomers join seven players who are set to return for 2026-27, including two starters. MoWest, in McKowen's first season as head coach in 2025-26, went 21-12 and made the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2021.

The Griffs are fresh off of their first 20-win season in men's basketball since 2002-03.
 

 
Blue Valley HS: two-time first team all-Eastern Kansas League … 3x all-state selection … first team all-Valley Center and all-McPherson tournament … ranks fourth all-time in career scoring at Blue Valley, fifth in career rebounding and fourth in career assists … ranked as the No. 6 prospect in the Class of 2026 per Prep Hoops … averaged 15 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 3 apg as a senior.
 
Personal: plans to major in business … son of Angelie and Jose Rodriguez … has two sisters – Clarice and Sara Lynn.

Coaching staff on Rodriguez: "Enoch was the first freshman to commit to us and he's been fully invested from day one. He has great length, can guard multiple positions and takes a tremendous amount of pride in his defense. Offensively, he has the ability to score at all three levels and brings an unbelievable work ethic every day. We're excited to watch him grow and develop once he gets on campus!"

Corbin Johnson (G, 6-4, 200, Fr., Wichita, KS / Kapaun Mt. Carmel)

 
Kapaun Mt. Carmel: 5A Kansas Player of the Year … shot 48% from three-point range … ranked first in the state of Kansas in three-point percentage for three consecutive seasons … helped his team win back-to-back state championships for the first time in school history … overall high school record of 89-10 … holds his school record for career made three-pointers (156) … ranks third in his school's history in career scoring (1163) … 2x first team all-state … 4x sub state champion … averaged 19.2 ppg, 4.7 apg, 6 rpg, 2.1 spg, shot 61% from the field and 82% from the free throw line as a senior.
 
Personal: plans to major in business … son of Jason and Wendy Johnson … has two brothers Grant and Braden … cousin Ashlyn Lovett is an assistant volleyball coach at Kansas State after a playing career at Georgia Southern … another cousin Olivia Lovett played volleyball at Loyola.
 
Coaching staff on Johnson: "Corbin is an extremely talented offensive player who is a threat to score, or create for others, every time he touches the ball. His shooting percentages speak for themselves, but what stands out most is his ability to pass the ball and get his teammates involved. We're excited to see his game continue to grow within our system."
 

 
Smithville HS: 2x first team all-district … 2x first team all Greater Kansas City Suburban Conference selection … ranks second in school history in career assists … broke a school record with 11 steals in a single game … 4x academic letter … Summa Cum Laude honoree … averaged 12 ppg, 4.4 apg, 4.1 rpg, 2.4 spg.
 
Personal: son of Stacey and Tee Mason … has a sister Kaylee … his father Tee played basketball at MoWest … his mother Stacey was on the dance team at MoWest … sister Kaylee is on the dance team at Missouri State … cousin Alston Mason played basketball for Arizona State is currently playing professionally in Montenegro.

Coaching staff on Mason: "A.J. is a local talent with strong ties to MoWest. Both of his parents are alumni — his dad played basketball here, and his mom was on the dance team. On the court, A.J. is a fun player to watch. He's tough, competitive, and wants to pick up full court every possession. Offensively, he's a true point guard who makes everyone around him better."
 

 
Greenwood Laboratory School: second team all-conference … holds the school record for most career charges taken … averaged 11.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.3 spg as a senior.

Personal: plans to major in cybersecurity … son of Chris and Kylie Foster … has two sisters – Avery and Riley … his father Chris played basketball at Northern Iowa with Brooks McKowen and is currently head men's basketball coach at Drury University (6^th season) and has also been the head coach at Truman State and McKendree.
 
Coaching staff on Foster: "Jase is a coach's kid who has been around basketball his entire life. He has a high basketball IQ and loves to compete. Jase is a combo guard who can really stretch the floor for us offensively. He's battled injuries throughout his high school career, but we believe his best basketball is still ahead of him. We look forward to watching him develop as an athlete and continue to grow his game."
 

Indiana Wesleyan (2025-26): Played in 31 of 33 games, making 18 starts … averaged 7.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game … added 86 assists, 24 blocks and 18 steals while shooting 53% from the field, 43.1% on 3-pointers and 75% at the FT line … CSC Academic All District.

Indiana Tech (2023-25): first team all-WHAC Conference and WHAC All-Defensive Team as a sophomore … WHAC All-Freshman team as a freshman … averaged 14.9 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.2 bpg as a sophomore.

DeSales HS (Louisville, KY): averaged 16.3 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1.2 spg as a senior … 2023 Kentucky All Star … 2023 6^th Region all-tournament team … 2023 KHSAA District 22 all-tournament team … 2022 King of the Bluegrass Holiday Classic All Tournament Team.

Personal: majoring in general studies and sports management … son of Sean and Julie Gibson … has a brother Will … Sean was GLVC Player of the Year at Purdue-Fort Wayne and had a five-year playing career overseas in Spain, Chile, Iceland and the Dominican Republic … brother Will plays basketball at NCAA Division II Cedarville University.

Coaching staff on Gibson: "Crew is a versatile forward who impacts the game in so many different ways. At 6'8", he has the ability to score inside and out, rebound at a high level and create plays for his teammates. What really stood out was his toughness and feel for the game. He competes every possession and brings great energy on both ends of the floor. Crew has proven himself as a highly productive player at the college level, and we're excited to see how his skill set and versatility fit within our program."
 

Southwest Baptist (2025-26): played in 19 games and made 12 starts as a freshman … averaged 11.7 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.5 spg.

Park Hill HS: averaged 18.5 ppg in both his junior and senior seasons … averaged a double-double as a junior and senior with 14.5 rpg as a junior and 10.5 rpg as a senior … Class 5 All-State selection … Greater KC Suburban Conference White Division Player of the Year … 2x all-conference and all-district … finished with over 1000 career points and 1000 career rebounds.

Personal: majoring in business management … son of Colleen and Dennis Gayman … has five siblings – brothers Clay, Dalton and Waylon … sisters Trinity and Evangeline … brother Clay played basketball at Abilene Christian and Drury … brother Dalton played basketball at Arkansas-Fort Smith, Drury, State Fair CC, Purdue Northwest and North Florida.

Coaching staff on Gayman: "Leo is a tough, physical player who brings a great combination of size, skill, and experience to our program. He has the ability to stretch the floor offensively, score around the basket and impact the game on the glass. He has an extremely competitive nature and will bring a positive impact to our program with the way he approaches the game every day. Leo understands what it takes to win, and we believe his versatility and maturity will make a positive impact within our system."
 

Kirkwood CC: played for the Eagles in 2025-26 making 25 starts … averaged 11 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 apg … held multiple NCAA Division II offers.

University of Iowa: was a tight end for the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2024.

Waverly-Shell Rock HS: 3x all state selection in basketball … 2024 all-state tournament team … member of National Honor Society … averaged 17 ppg, 6 rpg, 3 apg … finished with more than 1000 career points … also a standout football player who played quarterback and tight end.

Personal: majoring in accounting and finance … son of Dan and Sara Marsh … has three sisters – Paige, Claire, Lauren … Claire was an all-American setter for NCAA Division III Wartburg College.

Coaching staff on Marsh: "Cole brings a blue-collar mentality and a physical presence that every successful team needs. He plays with toughness, rebounds his position at a high level and is willing to do the dirty work on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he has the ability to stretch the defense and gives us great versatility with his size and skill set. What we appreciate most about Cole is the way he competes every possession and the energy he brings to the court. He's the type of player who makes the people around him better simply by how hard he plays."