Warning: ridiculously long post.
Oldest DI College Basketball Players 25–26
Ramel Bethea, Green Bay
Born: July 27, 1996
First Year in College: 2024–25
Number of Schools: 2 (MiraCosta College, Green Bay)
2024–25 Stats (MiraCosta): 12.7 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 0.8 APG, 4.6 BPG
Ramel Bethea’s college basketball journey is quite extraordinary. Bethea graduated from high school in 2014, but instead of heading to college, the Maryland native worked at a grocery store stocking produce.
After four years as a stocker, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He stayed in the military for the next half-decade, working in the engine room on airships while reaching the rank of Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class.
The sailor grew five inches after high school, reaching 6–9. At the urging of friends, Bethea gave basketball a shot. While Bethea did not play basketball in high school, his length and athleticism earned him a spot on the Naval team at the 2022 U.S. Armed Forces Basketball Championships in San Diego. His performances at the tournament drew attention from local junior colleges.
The father of a young son, Bethea enrolled at nearby MiraCosta College in Oceanside, CA, and immediately flourished on the court. With his seven-foot wingspan, he led the Spartans in scoring while blocking an astounding 4.6 shots per game.
His performances helped him earn First Team All-Conference honors in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference and garnered Division I interest from St. Bonaventure, Texas A&M, Louisiana Tech, and others.
Brett White II, Oakland
Born: February 17, 1998
First Year in College: 2020–21
Number of Schools: 3 (Kellogg Community College, Rochester Christian University, Oakland)
2024–25 Stats (Rochester Christian): 21.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.7 APG, 38.6 3P%
Did Oakland find its next Jack Gohlke? Brett White II is a 40.5% three-point shooter on a high volume across four seasons of JuCo and NAIA ball. In three of those years, he averaged better than 20 PPG.
But White’s transfer to Oakland in the spring attracted no fanfare. He did not even grab minor headlines like 29-year-old Ramel Bethea joining Green Bay or 26-year-old Canadian guard Nginyu Ngala signing with the Kansas Jayhawks.
For White, his newsworthy moments came nearly a decade ago, when he was a DI prospect at Battle Creek Central High School in Michigan. The guard was an all-conference player with interest from Michigan State and Illinois before things went south.
“My senior year, I was going through some personal stuff,”
White said. “Lost myself a little bit, lost the love of basketball a lot, and I didn’t know where I wanted to go from there. I dropped out of school at one point, got back in, but by then, I had lost my scholarship chances. Once I lost those scholarships, I was depressed and just found myself in a hole.”
White still had a DII scholarship offer from Grand Valley State. But his mindset was DI or nothing.
Following high school, he started working in construction. His hoop dreams were a distant memory. Then came an epiphany. “I was working and I liked the money, but I was sitting there one day and said to myself, ‘What am I doing?’,” White said. “Basketball was the love of my life, and I didn’t know why I wasn’t playing.”
He returned to the game at age 23, reaching out to Gary Sprague, head coach of the local Kellogg Community College men’s basketball program in Battle Creek. White averaged better than 20 PPG in his two seasons at KCC while earning NJCAA All-Region recognition.
White continued his college career at the NAIA school Rochester Christian, where he maintained his elite offensive production. Last year, he was a WHAC First Team All-Conference selection, averaging 21 PPG while shooting an efficient 46.3% from the field.
It was at Rochester Christian that White first gained the attention of Oakland head coach Greg Kampe. Kampe’s Golden Grizzlies faced White and Rochester in an October 2024 exhibition game. White led all scorers with 31 points, nailing five of nine three-point attempts in a respectable 87–74 loss for the non-DI program.
At the end of the season, Kampe received a phone call from Rochester head coach Klint Pleasant, who said he had a player with one year of eligibility left and DI dreams to fulfill. Once Kampe realized the player was White — the guy who dropped 30-plus points on Oakland in the exhibition game — he was immediately interested.
Corey Sands, Chicago State
Born: January 5, 1999
First Year in College: 2018–19
Number of Schools: 3 (Weatherford College, Talladega College, Chicago State)
2024–25 Stats (Talladega): 13.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.5 APG, 38.0 3P%
Leading the Cougars squad in terms of age and intrigue is 26-year-old guard Corey Sands. Sands is a native of the Bahamas who played his first collegiate season with Weatherford College (a JuCo in Texas) in 2018–19.
As a high schooler, Sands led the CC Sweeting Senior High boys basketball team to the National High School Championship in the Bahamas. CC Sweeting repeated as champs in 2016, with Sands earning MVP honors in the title game.
Sands continued his basketball career stateside, spending a prep year at Redemption Christian Academy in Northfield, Massachusetts, before heading to Weatherford in 2018. His debut college season was a successful one, as Sands averaged 7.8 PPG while being the only Coyote player to appear in all 29 games.
Nginyu Ngala, Kansas
Born: April 3, 1999
First Year in College: 2020–21
Number of Schools: 3 (Dalhousie University (Canada), Laurentian University (Canada), Kansas)
2024–25 Stats (Laurentian): 14.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.2 SPG
For four years, Nginyu Ngala was a highly successful college basketball player in Canada. During his three years at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and one season at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, Ngala averaged 14.8 PPG, earning all-conference honors at both spots.
With one year of eligibility remaining, Ngala had a tough decision to make: come stateside and take a DI offer from the likes of Robert Morris or UNLV, or head overseas and begin his professional career. Then came a life-changing pitch from Kansas head coach Bill Self, who had one scholarship spot remaining at his blue blood program for the 2025–26 season.
In Ngala, Self gets the rare veteran presence of a 26-year-old player already nicknamed “Granddad” by his new teammates. Ngala began college in 2020, but in Quebec, students often attend a CEGEP (Collège d’enseignement général et professionnel) after high school. These public institutions act as a preparatory school between high school and college. Ngala, a 2017 high school graduate, spent three seasons at Vanier Prep before moving on to Dalhousie. The Tigers play in U Sports, the Canadian equivalent of NCAA DI.
He now faces the challenge of being a 5–10 guard in the Big 12. The Canadian follows in the footsteps of David Coit, a 5–11 Northern Illinois transfer who carved out a role for Kansas last season. Coit played 15 minutes per game as a backup point guard, averaging 5.1 PPG.
But Ngala approaches this year with confidence — the kind you would expect from a 26-year-old with nothing to lose. “It’s been a bumpy road,” Ngala said, “but I couldn’t have been in a better situation, how it played out now with one year of eligibility left.”
Simeon German, The Citadel
Born: April 24, 1999
First Year in College: 2018–19
Number of Schools: 4 (Chipola College, Gulf Coast State College, University of South Carolina Aiken, The Citadel)
2024–25 Stats (USC Aiken): 7.6 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 0.4 APG, 1.8 BPG
One of three eighth-year players in Division I men’s college basketball this season, Simeon German played his first season of college basketball at Chipola College —a junior college located in the Florida panhandle — in 2018–19.
It would be another three years before he appeared in an NCAA game, this time for another Florida JuCo program, Gulf Coast State, in 2021. He quickly became an interior force for the Commodores, leading them in rebounding and blocks in both of his seasons there.
After the 2022–23 season, the Nigerian native transferred to Division II, joining USC Aiken. German continued to be a defensive equalizer, averaging nearly two blocks per game at Aiken and earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in the Peach Belt Conference. The big man’s offensive game also showed noticeable growth, with his field goal percentage improving to 63.7% in 2024–25 from 52% the previous season.
Seven years after his first college basketball season, the former Nigerian international at the U16 level can now see his DI dreams play out at The Citadel, as one of last year’s oldest players at the DII level becomes the fifth-oldest player in DI men’s college basketball.
His interior defense should transition well to the Southern Conference and help a Citadel team that was 344th in defensive efficiency and 347th in two-point defense (per KenPom).
Curt Lewis, Southern Mississippi
Born: May 19, 1999
First Year in College: 2019–20
Number of Schools: 5 (Eastern Kentucky, John A. Logan College, Missouri, East Tennessee State, Southern Mississippi)
2024–25 Stats (East Tennessee State): 4.4 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 0.8 APG, 4.9% steal rate
With high-major interest following two solid years at Eastern Kentucky, Curt Lewis looked like a possible mid-major breakout star. Instead, he chose a surprising route: junior college.
Yet the guard flourished at the JuCo level. He shot 48.3% from deep to go with strong rebounding and assist numbers. For his efforts, Lewis was named the NJCAA DI Men’s Basketball Player of the Year in 2022–23 as he led John A. Logan to an NJCAA DI National Championship crown.
It appeared that Lewis’ decision had paid off, as he earned a scholarship at Missouri. But the JuCo transfer struggled to see the floor in the SEC, averaging fewer than 10 minutes per game while starting just twice for the Tigers. Lewis transferred to East Tennessee State during the 2024–25 campaign as he looked to rediscover his scoring magic. This time, a groin injury limited him to eight games.
As Lewis makes the fifth and likely final stop of his extended college journey, he joins a Southern Miss team with a history of signing veteran transfers, as the Golden Eagles’ top two scorers a year ago — Denijay Harris and Neftali Alvarez — both landed on last year’s Oldest Players in College Basketball list.
USM will need his rebounding and length to help improve on a disappointing 11–22 campaign.
Olajuwon Ibrahim, Florida International
Born: May 26, 1999
First Year in College: 2022–23
Number of Schools: 3 (Seminole State College, Southeastern Iowa Community College, Florida International)
2023–24 Stats (Southeastern Iowa CC): 11.0 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 0.8 APG, 3.0 BPG
A 26-year-old junior in his fourth season of college basketball.
Ibrahim’s timeline between his international career and his arrival in the United States is difficult to pin down. His Instagram page depicts grainy photos of training sessions in local gyms and games on outdoor courts. He played for the Lagos Warriors in the Continental Basketball League and the Dodan Warriors in the Elite Basketball League, both defunct African leagues.
After years of honing his game, Ibrahim began his college career at Seminole State in 2022 as a 23-year-old freshman.
Nov 5, 2025
by
Liam Hanley
Ramel Bethea (Green Bay Phoenix)
DoB: July 27, 1996
Age: 29 years old
Bethea is the oldest player in DI college basketball at 29 years old. He signed with Green Bay after spending his freshman year at MiraCosta College in California.
The forward averaged 12.7 points and 9.7 boards per game last year. That included six double-doubles across the first two months of the season.
Bethea was in the military for five years before starting his college basketball career. That late start means he could hold the title of “Oldest Player” for years to come!
Corey Sands (Chicago State Cougars)
DoB: January 5, 1999
Age: 26 years old
Sands is a veteran guard hailing from the Bahamas. He previously played at the NIAI level with Talladega College in Alabama.
His basketball bio shows his freshman season having taken place in 2018 at Weatherford College. His time at Talladega picks up at 2022-23 as a sophomore. He’s now a graduate transfer at the DI level with Chicago State.
Ibrahim Olajuwon (FIU Golden Panthers)
DoB: May 26, 1999
Age: 26
Olajuwon is a redshirt junior entering his second season at Florida International. He appeared in three games last year.
He previously suited up for Southeastern Iowa Community College, where he earned Defensive Player of the Year honors, as well as Seminole State College.
The 6-10 center is from Nigeria. He spent time prepping with the Nigerian Men’s National Team before starting his college career as a 23-year-old freshman.
Antwaan Jones (UNC Greensboro Spartans)
DoB: May 29, 1999
Age: 26 years old
Jones is listed as a senior guard/forward on the UNCG roster. He is entering his first season with the program.
Last year, he played at Bethune-Cookman where he appeared in one game. That came after a transfer from UCF where he spent his fifth NCAA season.
Prior to UCF, he played at Louisiana and Creighton. That was after starting his career at Memphis. In all, that makes UNC Greensboro his sixth stop!
Blaise Keita (Western Kentucky Hilltoppers)
DoB: June 29, 1999
Age: 26 years old
Keita is an absolute monster, standing 6-11 and tipping the scales at 250 pounds. He is gearing up for his second year with the Hilltoppers in 2025.
Prior to his time at Western Kentucky, he played for Nebraska where he sat out a year due to ankle surgery. He also spent two seasons at Coffeyville Community College and a year at prep school.
Cooper Smith (Eastern Michigan Eagles)
DoB: July 12, 1999
Age: 26 years old
Smith is entering his second season at EMU after transferring from Michigan. With the Eagles last year, he played in three games.
At Michigan, the forward was a walk-on that appeared in 14 contests. That came after a year at Kalamazoo College.
Smith’s career was put on a brief hold due to a 2021 back surgery. He hopes to make an impact as a graduate student at Eastern Michigan.
Devin Haid (South Florida Bulls)
DoB: August 22, 1999
Age: 26 years old
Haid is a senior guard set to play his first season at South Florida. Previously, he spent time at Central Connecticut State, Notre Dame College, and Cuyahoga Community College.
Last season, he was one of college basketball’s most impactful transfers. He averaged 14.2 points per game while leading his team in steals. He hopes to make a similar impact with the Bulls this year.
Jordan Brinson (CSU Northridge Matadors)
DoB: December 31, 1999
Age: 25 years old
The guard bounced around early in his college career, spending one season each at UAB, Utah Valley, Salt Lake Community College, and Fresno State. He’s now set to begin his third year with CSUN.
Last season, he appeared in 27 games for the Matadors after returning from an injury.
Chad Baker-Mazara (USC Trojans)
DoB: January 27, 2000
Age: 25 years old
Baker-Mazara’s age has been highly discussed dating back to his time with the Auburn Tigers. There, the veteran heled the program make deep runs in the NCAA Tournament.
Baker-Mazara was born in the Dominican Republic. He moved to the US prior to his junior year of high school before playing one year of postgrad ball.
That put him back a year when starting college, where he made stops at Duquesne, San Diego State, and Northwest Florida State College before transferring to Auburn.
Now, he joins his
fifth program at USC. He will turn 26 before his final season ends.
Lassina Traore (Texas Longhorns)
DoB: February 5, 2000
Age: 25 years old
Traore is a graduate transfer born in Korhogo, Ivory Coast. He briefly moved to Canada as a teenager before attending prep school in Florida.
That gave him a late start on college, which started at Saint Louis. He later transferred to Long Beach State, and then to Xavier, before following head coach Sean Miller to Austin.
The 6-9 forward is recovering from a knee surgery that kept him off the court last year.
Tyon Grant-Foster (Gonzaga Bulldogs)
DoB: March 5, 2000
Age: 25 years old
Grant-Foster joined the Gonzaga roster this offseason after a transfer from Grand Canyon University. It took lengthy a
battle with the NCAA to have his 2025 eligibility granted.
The guard has an incredible story. He started his playing career at Indian Hills JUCO in 2018. He then spent a year at Kansas before transferring to DePaul.
While with the Blue Demons, he collapsed during halftime of his first game. His heart needed to be shocked into rhythm three times. The health scare cost him the majority of that season, and the next.
He then transferred to Grand Canyon, where he spent two years. He’ll now have at least one more season of eligibility with Gonzaga, with the possibility of a second depending on a future NCAA ruling.
22-year-old Tar Heels wing
Luka Bogavac, who played 55 games in the past two seasons in Montenegro and the Adriatic Basketball Association. He was admitted to school and cleared by the NCAA to compete as a junior.
Arizona's Senegalese forward
Sidi Gueye, who had played for Real Madrid in Spain’s top pro league.
N.C. State coach Will Wade describing a round-the-clock process to have 6-10 forward
Musa Sagnia — a native of Gambia who had also played in Spain’s top league
bamahammer.com
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