BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University men's basketball team enters the 2026-27 season with high respect from the rest of the American Southwest Conference, ranking third in the ASC Preseason Poll, as voted on by both the head coaches and sports information directors at each member institution.

The Yellow Jackets, who finished 13-13 overall last season, return to the court after an exhilarating season offensively in 2025-26. Howard Payne led the ASC in total offense, running up the score at 93.9 points per game. The team's fast style of play also translated on the defensive end, forcing 18.5 turnovers per contest for a +3.15 turnover margin, both of which led the conference. Hardin-Simmons, however, would be the ones to end the Yellow Jackets' season early in the ASC Tournament semi-finals, 98-93.

This season, Howard Payne brings back eight returners from last season, including senior Carter May and senior Jordan McClendon who were both named "Players to Watch" in the ASC Preseason Poll. May, from Aubrey, Texas, enters his senior season with his eyes set on consistent starting time for the first time in his career. May was a late addition to the starting lineup last season, starting in all of the team's final seven games, averaging 10.6 points and 9.3 rebounds. Jordan McClendon, from Fort Worth, Texas, started in 24 of 26 games in 2025-26. The senior guard/forward averaged 11.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while grabbing 37 steals on the year.

Another name was mentioned for the Yellow Jackets that has yet to take the floor at Brownwood Coliseum. Keegan Rowell, a junior guard from Lorena, Texas, joins the team from Division I Louisiana Tech after playing 13 games for the Bulldogs. Rowell started his collegiate career in Waco at McLennan College before making the move to Ruston, Louisiana. This year, the next stop in his career is Brownwood where he will look to assimilate quickly and become an impact player with loads of playing experience at higher levels.

FIRST UP: Howard Payne basketball will hit the road for their opening exhibition with Texas State University in San Marcos on Thursday, November 5. Tip off is set for 6:00 p.m. Central Time.

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2026-27 Preseason Poll

1. Hardin-Simmons, 65 (6)
2. Mary Hardin-Baylor, 62 (6)
3. Howard Payne, 37
4. McMurry, 35
5. Schreiner, 28
6. East Texas Baptist, 25

2026-27 Players to Watch
 

Name	Position	Class	School
Chris Bryant*	F	Sr.	Hardin-Simmons
Chris Carpenter	PG	Sr.	East Texas Baptist
Silas Davis	PG	Sr.	Hardin-Simmons
Greg Dumas	G	Jr.	East Texas Baptist
Asher Fleming*	F	Sr.	Hardin-Simmons
Josh Goings	G	Gr.	Mary Hardin-Baylor
Justin Gooden	G	Sr.	Schreiner
Grant Jessen	W	Sr.	Mary Hardin-Baylor
Shad Levy	G	Sr.	East Texas Baptist
Sebastian Mackey	G	Jr.	McMurry
Carter May	F	Sr.	Howard Payne
Jordan McClendon	G	Gr.	Howard Payne
Jack Pease*	G	Gr.	Mary Hardin-Baylor
Mikhali Roberts	W	Sr.	McMurry
Koye Rondeno	G	So.	McMurry
Keegan Rowell	G	Jr.	Howard Payne
Dylan Snow*	G	Jr.	Schreiner

2025-26 All-Conference Selection *