# 2024–25 Charleston Cougars men's basketball team

The 2024–25 Charleston Cougars men's basketball team represents the College of Charleston in the 2024–25 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. They are led by first-year head coach Chris Mack. The team play its home games at TD Arena in Charleston, South Carolina, as a member of the Coastal Athletic Association.

## Previous season

The Cougars, led by third-year head coach Pat Kelsey, finished the season 27–8, 15–3 in CAA play to win their second-straight regular season championship. The team defeated Monmouth, Towson, and Stony Brook in overtime to win their second-straight CAA tournament. They lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Alabama, a team that went on to that year's Final Four.
After the season head coach Pat Kelsey left the program to coach at the University of Louisville, and Chris Mack was later hired as the 25th coach in Charleston history.

## Offseason
### Departures

Charleston departures :
| Name | Number | Pos. | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | Reason for departure |
| Jordan Crawford | 0 | G | 6'2" | 180 | FR | Charlotte, North Carolina | Transferred to Eastern Kentucky |
| Frankie Policelli | 1 | F | 6'9" | 225 | GS | New Hartford, New York | Graduated |
| Reyne Smith | 2 | G | 6'2" | 190 | JR | Ulverstone, Tasmania | Transferred to Louisville |
| Khalil London | 3 | G | 6'3" | 185 | FR | Wyandanch, New York | Transferred to Tennessee State |
| Bryce Butler | 4 | G | 6'5" | 205 | GS | Latrobe, Pennsylvania | Graduated |
| Kobe Rodgers | 11 | G | 6'3" | 180 | JR | Cincinnati, Ohio | Transferred to Louisville |
| Ben Burnham | 13 | F | 6'7" | 220 | JR | Fort Mill, South Carolina | Transferred to Virginia Tech |
| Mayar Wol | 15 | F | 6'8" | 185 | FR | Raleigh, North Carolina | Transferred to Eastern Kentucky |
| James Scott | 23 | F | 6'11" | 210 | FR | Fayetteville, North Carolina | Transferred to Louisville |

### Incoming transfers

Mack's new coaching staff quickly made use of the transfer portal and signed Derrin Boyd, a graduate student from Lipscomb who led his team with 17.6 points per game last season, earning an All-ASUN Second Team selection. Two sophomores who had previously played for the Serbian U-19 National Team then committed to Charleston, Đorđe Ćurčić from Saint Louis and Lazar Đjoković from Xavier, reuniting on the court for the first time since the 2023 U-19 World Cup. Another international player, Stef van Bussel, signed to the Cougars after playing for the Netherlands National U-18 and U-16 Teams, the Bayer Giants Leverkusen of the German pro league, and the Saint Louis Billikens. That same day another sophomore, Deywilk Tavarez, transferred in from Delaware State after averaging 17.0 points per game as a freshman and winning MEAC Rookie of the Year. The coaching staff then signed AJ Smith, a junior from The Citadel, who led Charleston's crosstown-rival in scoring with 16.2 points per game last season. The transfer class was finalized with the addition of senior Elijah Jones, who led Green Bay in rebounding last season and won the NJCAA National Championship in 2023.
Charleston incoming transfers :
| Name | Number | Pos | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | Previous school | Years remaining | Date eligible |
| AJ Smith | 1 | G | 6'4" | 215 | JR | Charlotte, North Carolina | The Citadel | 2 | October 1, 2024 |
| Elijah Jones | 3 | F | 6'7" | n/a | SR | South Holland, Illinois | Green Bay | 1 | October 1, 2024 |
| Derrin Boyd | 4 | G | 6'3" | 210 | GS | Princeton, Kentucky | Lipscomb | 1 | October 1, 2024 |
| Deywilk Tavarez | 5 | G | 6'2" | n/a | SO | Pennsauken, New Jersey | Delaware State | 3 | October 1, 2024 |
| Stef van Bussel | 15 | C | 6'10" | 255 | SO | Ommel, Netherlands | Saint Louis | 3 | October 1, 2024 |
| Lazar Đjoković | 17 | F | 6'10" | 230 | SO | Gornji Milanovac, Serbia | Xavier | 3 | October 1, 2024 |
| Đorđe Ćurčić | 44 | G | 6'2" | 185 | SO | Čačak, Serbia | Saint Louis | 3 | October 1, 2024 |

### 2024 recruiting class

College recruiting information :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date |
| Joey Scarpitti G | Lakewood, OH | St. Edward (OH) | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 160 lb (73 kg) | Apr 25, 2024 |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 0 ||||||
| Justas Stonkus G | Plungė, Lithuania | BC Žalgiris-2 | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | Apr 26, 2024 |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 0 ||||||
| Jaxon Prunty SF | Lexington, SC | Lexington High School | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | May 2, 2024 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN grade: 78 ||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: ||||||
| Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2024 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. ||||||

## Preseason

In the conference's preseason poll, the Cougars were picked to finish in second place.
Despite the change in head coach, 2024 First Team All-CAA member Ante Brzovic decided to return for his senior season, as did Irish National Team guard CJ Fulton.

## Schedule and results

| Date time, TV | Rank$^#$ | Opponent$^#$ | Result | Record | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Site (attendance) city, state |
| Non-conference regular season |||||||||
| November 4, 2024* 12:00 pm, YouTube | | vs. Southern Illinois Field of 68 Opening Day Showcase | W 90–80 | 1−0 | 27 – Brzovic | 9 – Brzovic | 7 – Fulton | Sanford Pentagon (2,300) Sioux Falls, SD |
| November 8, 2024* 7:00 pm, FloHoops | | South Florida | W 86–71 | 2−0 | 34 – Brzovic | 9 – Brzovic | 6 – Fulton | TD Arena (5,457) Charleston, SC |
| November 15, 2024* 7:00 pm, YouTube | | Florida Atlantic Field of 68 Tip-Off | W 119–116 $^{2OT}$ | 3−0 | 39 – Brzovic | 13 – Brzovic | 6 – Tied | TD Arena (4,963) Charleston, SC |
| November 17, 2024* 4:00 pm, YouTube | | Liberty Field of 68 Tip-Off | L 47–68 | 3−1 | 15 – Đjoković | 8 – Đjoković | 4 – Fulton | TD Arena (4,858) Charleston, SC |
| November 20, 2024* 6:00 pm, ESPN+ | | at The Citadel Rivalry | W 76–61 | 4−1 | 22 – Brzovic | 14 – Brzovic | 6 – Brzovic | McAlister Field House (3,231) Charleston, SC |
| November 24, 2024* 1:00 pm, ESPN+ | | at Rhode Island | L 53–91 | 4–2 | 10 – Smith | 6 – Brzovic | 4 – Boyd | Ryan Center (3,778) Kingston, RI |
| November 27, 2024* 1:00 pm, FloHoops | | Northern Kentucky | W 79–64 | 5–2 | 22 – Boyd | 13 – Brzovic | 6 – Tied | TD Arena (4,718) Charleston, SC |
| December 3, 2024* 7:00 pm, FloHoops | | Tusculum | W 94–71 | 6–2 | 17 – Đjoković | 6 – Smith | 7 – Fulton | TD Arena (4,388) Charleston, SC |
| December 10, 2024* 7:00 pm, ESPN+ | | at Saint Joseph's | W 78–75 | 7–2 | 18 – Smith | 5 – Tied | 9 – Fulton | Hagan Arena (2,062) Philadelphia, PA |
| December 16, 2024* 7:00 pm, FloHoops | | Wofford | W 77–67 | 8–2 | 21 – Brzovic | 7 – Brzovic | 8 – Fulton | TD Arena (4,748) Charleston, SC |
| December 22, 2024* 3:00 pm, ESPNU | | vs. Oregon State Diamond Head Classic Quarterfinals | L 65–74 | 8–3 | 13 – Tied | 8 – Đjoković | 4 – Fulton | Stan Sheriff Center Honolulu, HI |
| December 23, 2024* 5:30 pm, ESPNU | | vs. Loyola Chicago Diamond Head Classic Consolation 2nd Round | W 77–68 | 9–3 | 30 – Tavarez | 6 – Brzovic | 5 – Brzovic | Stan Sheriff Center Honolulu, HI |
| December 25, 2024* 3:30 pm, ESPNU | | vs. Charlotte Diamond Head Classic 5th Place Game | W 84–81 | 10–3 | 32 – Brzovic | 14 – Brzovic | 7 – Fulton | Stan Sheriff Center (4,163) Honolulu, HI |
| CAA regular season |||||||||
| January 2, 2025 7:00 pm, FloHoops | | Hampton | W 94–67 | 11–3 (1–0) | 26 – Boyd | 9 – Brzovic | 6 – Tavarez | TD Arena (5,070) Charleston, SC |
| January 4, 2025 2:00 pm, FloHoops | | Towson | W 77–69 | 12–3 (2–0) | 20 – Tied | 11 – Brzovic | 5 – Tied | TD Arena (5,116) Charleston, SC |
| January 9, 2025 7:00 pm, FloHoops | | at Hofstra | W 67–61 | 13–3 (3–0) | 23 – Brzovic | 11 – Brzovic | 12 – Fulton | Mack Sports Complex (1,504) Hempstead, NY |
| January 11, 2025 2:00 pm, FloHoops | | at Monmouth | L 73–84 | 13–4 (3–1) | 20 – Tavarez | 9 – Tavarez | 7 – Fulton | OceanFirst Bank Center (1,904) West Long Branch, NJ |
| January 16, 2025 7:00 pm, FloHoops | | at Campbell | W 67–61 | 14–4 (4–1) | 15 – Tied | 15 – Đjoković | 6 – Fulton | Gore Arena (1,359) Buies Creek, NC |
| January 18, 2025 5:00 pm, FloHoops | | Northeastern | W 87–85 | 15−4 (5−1) | 32 – Tavarez | 9 – Brzovic | 6 – Fulton | TD Arena (5,132) Charleston, SC |
| January 23, 2025 7:00 pm, FloHoops | | UNC Wilmington | L 83–85 | 15−5 (5−2) | 24 – Boyd | 9 – Đjoković | 9 – Fulton | TD Arena (5,090) Charleston, SC |
| January 25, 2025 7:00 pm, FloHoops | | at Elon | W 78–62 | 16−5 (6−2) | 20 – Smith | 12 – Brzovic | 5 – Brzovic | Schar Center (2,657) Elon, NC |
| January 30, 2025 6:00 pm, CBSSN | | Stony Brook | W 81–74 | 17−5 (7−2) | 25 – Tied | 11 – Fulton | 11 – Fulton | TD Arena (4,727) Charleston, SC |
| February 3, 2025 8:00 pm, CBSSN | | at William & Mary | L 75–90 | 17−6 (7−3) | 20 – Brzovic | 11 – Đjoković | 6 – Fulton | Kaplan Arena (3,461) Williamsburg, VA |
| February 6, 2025 6:00 pm, CBSSN | | North Carolina A&T | W 66–63 | 18−6 (8−3) | 24 – Brzovic | 9 – Brzovic | 8 – Fulton | TD Arena (4,600) Charleston, SC |
| February 8, 2025 6:00 pm, FloHoops | | Elon | W 88–83 $^{OT}$ | 19–6 (9–3) | 27 – Brzovic | 10 – Tied | 5 – Tied | TD Arena (5,007) Charleston, SC |
| February 13, 2025 7:00 pm, CBSSN | | at UNC Wilmington | L 66–86 | 19–7 (9–4) | 14 – Smith | 8 – Brzovic | 6 – Fulton | Trask Coliseum (5,200) Wilmington, NC |
| February 15, 2025 6:00 pm, FloHoops | | at North Carolina A&T | W 69–59 | 20–7 (10–4) | 20 – Tavarez | 6 – Brzovic | 11 – Fulton | Corbett Sports Center (1,201) Greensboro, NC |
| February 20, 2025 7:00 pm, FloHoops | | at Northeastern | W 73–62 | 21–7 (11–4) | 20 – Brzovic | 11 – Tavarez | 6 – Fulton | Matthews Arena (1,227) Boston, MA |
| February 22, 2025 12:00 pm, CBSSN | | at Drexel | L 55–64 | 21–8 (11–5) | 16 – Brzovic | 6 – Brzovic | 4 – Tied | Daskalakis Athletic Center (1,723) Philadelphia, PA |
| February 27, 2025 7:00 pm, FloHoops | | Delaware | W 94–84 | 22–8 (12–5) | 27 – Brzovic | 9 – Đjoković | 10 – Fulton | TD Arena (4,939) Charleston, SC |
| March 1, 2025 6:00 pm, FloHoops | | Campbell | W 87–65 | 23–8 (13–5) | 25 – Boyd | 8 – Tied | 10 – Fulton | TD Arena (5,165) Charleston, SC |
| CAA tournament |||||||||
| March 9, 2025 8:30 pm, FloHoops | (3) | vs. (6) Monmouth Quarterfinals | W 79–78 $^{OT}$ | 24–8 | 22 – Brzovic | 8 – Tied | 5 – Fulton | CareFirst Arena (2,580) Washington, D.C. |
| March 10, 2025 8:30 pm, CBSSN | (3) | vs. (2) UNC Wilmington Semifinals | L 67–68 | 24–9 | 18 – Boyd | 11 – Đjoković | 5 – Fulton | CareFirst Arena (2,367) Washington, D.C. |
| *Non-conference game. $^#$Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses. All times are in Eastern. |||||||||

## Awards and honors

Conference honors :
| Honors | Player | Position |
| All-CAA First Team | Ante Brzovic | F |
| All-CAA Third Team | Derrin Boyd | G |
| All-CAA Third Team | CJ Fulton | G |
| CAA All-Rookie Team | Justas Stonkus | G |
| CAA Scholar Athlete of the Year | CJ Fulton | G |
Source