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Fifth-year flood
The fifth-year commits keep coming, including Donovan Atwell back to Texas Tech, Jaden Henley back to Grand Canyon, Jordan Pope to Texas A&M, and more. We break down all the fifth-year news, plus highlight some mid-major MTEs.
Tristan Freeman
August 18, 2026
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Good morning! Classes have started across several college campuses. Let’s get to the news.
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1. Fifth-years announce returns
Monday's fifth-year theme? Players deciding to return to their former team.
The biggest name was Donovan Atwell, a 6-5 guard who averaged 13.5 ppg at Texas Tech last season and shot 46% from three on 8.4 attempts per game.
Atwell joins two other commits to the Red Raiders in the past couple of weeks: Darrion Williams (14 ppg, NC State) and Jamichael Stillwell (11.6 ppg and 8.2 rpg, UCF). As we’ve seen in other fifth-year related news, it’s not a sure bet that Texas Tech will have these players available. But if they do, and All-American big man JT Toppin can fully recover from his torn ACL injury, the Red Raiders have all the makings of a Final Four-caliber roster.
Another team that benefited from a returning player was Grand Canyon, with leading scorer Jaden Henley (17.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.9 apg) electing to return. It’s a massive development for the Lopes, who also bring back Makaih Williams (14 ppg), while adding two key portal additions in Jaden Zimmerman (15.1 ppg) and Dylan Darling, who averaged 6.9 ppg and 2.6 apg in 15 starts at St. John’s.
“Grand Canyon is absolutely loaded with Jaden Henley back in the mix,” CBS’ Isaac Trotter said on X. “Should definitely be one of the best teams outside of the Power 5 ranks. Could make a strong argument that it has 10 high-major rotation players on the roster.”
Technically, Fred King can also be considered in the “returning” player category. He’s back at Creighton, where he spent his first three seasons as a backup big man. The center transferred to Murray State a year ago and went on to average 13.1 ppg and 8.4 rpg, earning First Team All-MVC honors. He’ll compete with Providence transfer Oswin Erhunmwunse for minutes at the five-spot.
The other mid-major player to announce his return Monday was Noah Otshudi, who averaged 14.5 ppg and 3.5 apg at Marshall. He’s set to be their leader next season.
2. Jordan Pope to stay in the SEC + more fifth-year news
Among the players seeking a fifth-year who aren’t returning to their team is Jordan Pope, a 6-2 guard who’s started 130 career games for Oregon State and Texas.
After averaging 13.1 ppg this past season with the Longhorns and playing a key role in their Sweet 16 run, the veteran combo guard has decided on a new team: Texas A&M.
The Aggies have a rebuilt backcourt this offseason, led by Kansas State transfer PJ Haggerty (23.4 ppg). Pope, a proven SEC starter in his own right, could very well start alongside Haggerty to form one of the top backcourts in the league. Texas A&M also has LSU transfer point guard Jalen Reece.
Other notable news involving 5th-year players included:
