The 2026-27 CAA men's basketball season features established returners, familiar faces returning to the conference and transfers looking to make an immediate impact.
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From the CAA Preseason Player of the Year to experienced transfers, several players are already generating attention before the first tipoff.
Here are five CAA men's basketball players to know heading into the 2026-27 season.
Patrick Wessler, UNCW
The CAA Preseason Player of the Year enters the season with high expectations.
Graduate center Patrick Wessler headlines a UNCW team picked to finish first in the conference preseason poll.
With the Seahawks coming off a 27-win campaign and looking to make another run at the CAA Championship, Wessler will be a key player to follow throughout the season.
Eli Ellis, Charleston
Charleston Men's Basketball sophomore guard Eli Ellis enters his first CAA season as a Preseason All-CAA First Team selection.
Ellis transferred to Charleston after averaging 8.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game as a freshman at South Carolina. The Cougars were picked second in the conference preseason poll and begin a new chapter under head coach John Groce.
With Charleston expected to challenge for the top spot, Ellis will be one of the players in the spotlight as the Cougars establish their identity.
Justin Moore, Hofstra
Justin Moore is back in the CAA, but this time he's wearing a Hofstra Men's Basketball uniform.
The fifth-year guard previously played two seasons at Drexel, earning All-CAA Third Team and All-Rookie Team recognition before transferring to Loyola Chicago.
Moore averaged 10.9 points and 3.8 assists per game last season and now joins a Hofstra program looking to defend its conference championship.
His experience could be an important piece of the Pride's title defense.
Rashad King, Northeastern
A familiar face is back at Northeastern Men's Basketball for one final season.
Graduate guard Rashad King returns to Northeastern after spending the 2025-26 season at LSU, where he appeared in 32 games with nine starts. Before that, King played three seasons for the Huskies and earned First Team All-CAA honors in 2024-25.
King averaged 18.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game during that 2024-25 season and enters 2026-27 as a Preseason All-CAA First Team selection.
With a proven ability to produce against conference competition, King will be one player to keep an eye on as Northeastern looks to climb the standings.
CJ Luster II, UNCW
UNC Wilmington Men's Basketball doesn't have just one preseason first-team selection.
Graduate guard CJ Luster II, who missed the entire 2025-26 season because of injury, joins Wessler on the Preseason All-CAA First Team. In his most recent season on the court, Luster averaged 16.8 points per game at Stony Brook in 2024-25.
With UNCW carrying the expectations of a preseason favorite, Luster will have an opportunity to play an important role in the Seahawks' pursuit of the CAA title.
How To Watch CAA Men's Basketball
Fans can watch select CAA men's basketball games throughout the 2026-27 season on FloCollege and the FloSports app.
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