Kingsville - Texas A&M-Kingsville opens their season in an exhibition game against North American University Monday at the Steinke Physical Education Center.

Monday's game will be free entry for all Javelinas fans at the SPEC and will feature a full day of basketball with the women's team taking on North American University at 5:00. 

The Javelinas were projected to finish 13th in the Lone Star Conference's preseason poll, just ahead of UT-Tyler in the rankings. Now, Texas A&M-Kingsville looks to get its season off on the right foot in their first game of the season.

Familiar faces will have to step up for the Javelinas after third team all-conference guard CJ Smith graduated. Guards Isaiah Payne and Allen Singleton will look to be driving forces for a Javelina team that returns seven players from last year's team.

The returning Javelinas include Zyon Little, Kaden Pierre, Jordan Henderson, Jarin Hall, Nate Garcia as well as the aforementioned Payne and Singleton. Three of the returning players averaged over seven points a game last season.

Adding to the roster is loads of new talent for the 2024-25 season, including three division one transfers. Brian Gordon, Jake Arnold and Bryce Cook join the Javelinas from Lamar, Houston Christian and Sam Houston respectively. Joining Gordon and Cook are Nate Lacewell from Morehouse College, Bryson Goldsmith from Nebraska-Kearney University, Sam Esan from Coastal Bend College and Daniel Sanchez from Angelina Junior College.

The Javelinas added three true freshmen to the lineup as well. David Oriaku, KJ Manuel and James Livingston come to Kingsville in their first year of collegiate basketball.

Tip-off for Saturday's game is set for 7:00 p.m. CT. Javelina fans can follow the game through either Live Stats or at JavelinaMBB on Twitter.