TEXAS STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL BEGINS ITS PAC-12 ERA – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE 2026-27 SEASON 

By Isaac Melchor 

 

SAN MARCOS, Texas – It’s another year of college hoops in San Marcos, Texas, but this time around, things are a little different. 

 

The Pac-12 era has officially arrived at Texas State. With Women’s Soccer continuing a historic season and Bobcat Football reaching new heights in popularity, eyes across campus are on what head coach Terrence Johnson and this new group of players can do as Texas State enters a new chapter in one of college basketball’s most historic conferences.  

 

Before looking ahead, it’s worth looking back.  

 

Texas State finished the 2025-26 season with a 19-13 record, going 11-7 in Sunbelt play. But perhaps the biggest takeaway from the regular season came at Strahan Arena, where the Bobcats went 14-1, making San Marcos one of the toughest places to play in the conference. Texas State ultimately saw its season come to an end in the Sun Belt Tournament, falling 81-77 to Southern Miss in the opening round. 

 

Freshman DJ Hall quickly established himself as the center piece for Texas State, winning Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and Second Team All Sun Belt honors after averaging 15.6 points per game and 7.7 rebounds. Kaden Gumbs, the captain of the team, led the squad in assists and steals. Now with Hall returning for his sophomore season and Gumbs entering his senior year as a Bobcat, they look to help lead this Texas State team into its first season of PAC 12 basketball. 

 

 

RETURNERS:  

 

DJ HALL – Sophomore, Forward 

2025-26: 15.6 PPG | 7.7 RPG | 2.3 APG | 1.4 SPG | 54.2 FG% 

Hall enters this season as the most established player on Texas State’s roster. The biggest question isn’t whether DJ can produce; it’s how his production translates against a new level of competition. After a freshman season where he proved he could score and rebound at a high level, he’ll have to find ways to make an impact against bigger and more athletic frontcourts. Glimpses of his three-point shot towards the end of the season could be the next step in DJ Hall’s progression.  

 

KADEN GUMBS – Senior, Guard 

2025-26: 8.7 PPG | 3.0 APG | 2.8 RPG | 1.9 SPG | 42.2 3P% 

It’s hard to believe the San Marcos native will begin his final season as a Bobcat this year. After leading the San Marcos High School Rattlers to a regional finals appearance, Gumbs joined Texas State in the 2023-24 season. Since then he’s found himself to be the longest tenured Bobcat.  His leadership will be crucial to the success this year as he and head coach Terrance Johnson have built an undeniable culture and chemistry these past four years.  

 

MARK DRONE – Senior, Guard 

2025-26: 14.2 PPG | 3.3 RPG | 43 FG % 

After much speculation, it is confirmed that Mark Drone will be playing his fifth year of collegiate basketball, his third with Texas State. An absolute HUGE return for Texas State as Mark Drone served as the Bobcats biggest scoring threat in the guard position last year. His ability to shoot the ball at a high clip along with finishing inside on taller defenders, will be an asset, along with his veteran presence in the locker room. He will try to get healthy before the Bobcats season, as he has been seen around Strahan in a walking boot. 

 

 

ROBERT FIELDS – Sophomore, Center 

2025-26: 5.0 PPG | 3.7 RPG | 52.4 FG % 

Fields returns for his sophomore season with plenty to build on. The impact he made on the court last year didn’t necessarily translate to the box score, but his screen setting and second-chance points provided Texas State with valuable minutes in the frontcourt. This year he won’t be playing behind any veteran bigs and with increased minutes, Rob will be a presence on the floor this team can thrive off of early on in the season.   

 

 

DIMP PERNELL – Junior, Guard  

2025-26: 8.8 PPG | 2.2 RPG | 40.0 3P % (13/32) 

Dimp came to Texas State last season with his twin brother and made an immediate impact off the bench. He played 11 games before being sidelined with a season-ending injury. His ability to shoot at a high percentage and handle the ball was much needed for the Bobcats early on, his season high was 19 off the bench vs. UTSA. Dimp will be a spark Texas State will thrive off of when starter Kaden Gumbs needs a breather.  

 

KY PERNELL – Senior, Guard 

2025-26: 3.0 PPG | 1.3 RPG | 10.7 MPG 

 

Ky, just like his brother, showed promise to be an important part of Texas State’s second unit. Unfortunately, he was sidelined with an injury for the rest of the season after just three games. Shooting 40% from 3 in both of his years at Jones College, Ky can bring tremendous spacing this upcoming season. The Pernell twins will be a duo to look out for this season, especially if the Bobcats starting five doesn’t get going to start a game. 

 

 

TRANSFERS: 

 

QUEL’RON HOUSE – Junior, Guard 

2025-26: 15.2 PPG | 3.7 RPG | 3.5 APG  

Quel’Ron scored in double figures for 25 out of his 28 starts at Southern Illinois, where he led the team in scoring. His best appearance came against Drake, where he scored a season-high 28 points and 7 steals. 

House’s game lives at the mid range, his teardrops and pull-up jumpers provide a different threat of attack compared to the guards off the bench in the Pernell twins.  

 

PAUL DJOBET – Senior, Forward 

2025-26: 17.5 PPG | 6.6 RPG | 41.5 % 3P 

Coming out of Omaha, Djobet is an offensive nightmare for any team playing Texas State this season, his strengths revolve around his three point shooting along with his touch around the entire floor. Plenty of opportunities for Djobet to have pick and pop action with the guards on this team, he’s a ready now player who can find himself starting within the first few games of the season. 

 

 

RONALD JESSAMY – Senior, Forward 

2025-26: 13.5 PPG | 6.6 RPG | 1.8 BLK 

 Ronald adds even more inside presence for the Bobcats offense, in his junior year at Cal State, he was able to rim run effectively and had standout defensive plays. When Texas State matches up against taller opponents, expect Jessamy to step into the game. 

 

 

KJ YOUNGER – Sophomore, Guard  

2026-26: 15.1 PPG | 4.7 RPG | 1.2 APG 

 Kj comes from UNC Greensboro, he brings even more slashing at the guard position and also rebounds at a high level. Expect Younger to earn increased minutes as the season progresses.  

 

CALEB STEGER – Sophomore, Guard  

2025-26: 3.3 PPG | 1.0 RPG 

 At Boston College Caleb averaged just 10 minutes in his freshmen campaign.​The Texas native has plenty of untapped potential that the Bobcats coaching staff can bring out of him during this season.  

FRESHMEN:  

DAVID ABISOGUN – 6’9 Forward Fairmont Preparatory Academy 

 The four-star recruit from Nigeria has a very high motor. He can rebound efficiently and finish under the basket almost every time he gets there. 

Player Comp: Brandon Clarke  

 

KOLE GRANDISON – 6’6 Forward Overtime Elite  

Three-star recruit Kole Grandison comes from Overtime Elite, an alternative high school basketball league. Physical enough to rebound, can defend multiple spots, and can hit open threes. 

Player Comp: Naji Marshall  

 

 

RANDY LIVINGSTON JR – 6’2 Guard Riviera High School  

Four star recruit with a tight handle, vision and has the ability to shoot from mid range and three. If he can work on getting downhill and his float game, he’ll develop an inside game. 

Player Comp: Tyus Jones  

 

KING SANDERS – 6’7 Forward Tennessee Collegiate Academy  

King is a four star recruit and the most versatile freshmen in this class. Grabs rebounds, has vision, can finish under the basket, switch defensively, and play multiple spots.  

Player Comp: Aaron Gordon 

 

SCHEDULE: 

This Texas State team is filled with a little bit of everything, veterans of the program, players with college experience, and one of the most talented freshmen classes in program history.  

 

The Bobcats will need every bit of advantage they can get, as they approach one of the tougher basketball conferences in Division 1. With the official schedule being released, let’s take a look at Texas State’s most notable matchups this season. 

 

Texas State has two very big tests in nonconference play; on November 22nd, they host last year’s 12th seed in the March Madness Tournament, McNeese. Then on December 5th, they take on one of the toughest defenses in the country, the Houston Cougars at Fertitta Center. These types of games can give Texas State credibility in their first season in the higher competition conference.  

 

The PAC 12 has proven squads that’ll give the Bobcats some challenges; January 6th at Colorado State kicks off Texas State’s conference play. San Diego State and Gonzaga both come to Strahan Arena respectively February 11th and the 25th, which will undoubtedly be the BIGGEST games in Texas State Men’s Basketball history. 

 

With nine teams in the PAC 12 conference, we have a clear picture where Texas State can finish. The top three teams appear to be Gonzaga, Utah State, and San Diego State, the 4th seed and below is where Texas State more than likely will find themselves in. Colorado State, Boise State, and Oregon State will all be fighting for seeding in the middle of the pack along with Texas State.   

 

PAC-12 SEEDING PREDICTION: 5th (Conference 7-9 ) (Overall 18-14) 

 

It’s a whole new era for Texas State Men’s Basketball and it all starts with the 2026-27 campaign. 

 

 Be sure to tune into KTSW Sports all season long to see how this team performs under the new conference.