SHOOTING GUARD
Returning players: Mason Falslev, Jaxon Smith
2023-24 players not returning: Landon Brenchley (transfer portal)
2023-24 total production lost: 13 games, 0 starts, 0.7 PPG, 42.9 FG%, 0.0 3-PT%, 33.3 FT%, 0.8 REBs, 0.4 ASTs, 0.0 STLs
2023-24 total production returning: 34 games, 34 starts, 11.3 PPG, 56.2 FG%, 30.5 3-PT%, 64.2 FT%, 4.4 REBs, 2.4 ASTs, 1.3 STLs
2023-24 total production transferring in (transfer portal): 61 games, 56 starts, 10.8 PPG, 38.3 FG%, 29.5 3-PT%, 66.8 FT%, 3.2 REBs, 2.5 ASTs, 1.2 STLs
New faces in 2024-25:
Dexter Akanno 6’5″ 210 (247 3*) – Oregon State University – (1 year to play 1)
2023-24 (Jr.) Stats: PPG: 10.9 FG%: 39.0 3PT%: 32.5 FT%: 70.4 REB: 2.9 AST: 1.3 STL: 0.9
2022-23 (So.) Stats: PPG: 7.9 FG%: 35.5 3PT%: 25.4 FT%: 74.7 REB: 2.4 AST: 1.6 STL: 0.7
2021-22 (RsFr.) Stats: PPG: 4.9 FG%: 37.4 3PT%: 30.3 FT%: 69.2 REB: 2.1 AST: 0.8 STL: 0.3
2020-21 (RsFr.) Stats: PPG: 0.7 FG%: 18.2 3PT%: 0.0 FT%: 80.0 REB: 0.6 AST: 0.1 STL: —
2019-20 (Fr.) Stats: Redshirted at Marquette University
Offers from: Santa Barbara, San Diego St, UNLV, USC
Original offers from: Marquette, New Mexico, Virginia Tech
https://247sports.com/player/dexter-akanno-46058484/high-school-224785/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sOMEWiFJdc
Braden Housley 6’4″ 180 (NR) – Southern Utah University – (3 years to play 3)
2023-24 (RsFr.) Stats: PPG: 10.8 FG%: 37.7 3PT%: 27.2 FT%: 62.9 REB: 3.5 AST: 3.6 STL: 1.5
2022-23 (Fr.) Stats: Redshirted at Southern Utah University
Offers from: UNKNOWN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1sPSe8vDC8
2024-25 OUTLOOK
MASON FALSLEV
Sophomore Mason Falslev returns this season and figures to be a fixture in the starting lineup once again. As a redshirt freshman last season, Falslev started in all 34 games for the Aggies and averaged 11.3 points per game while shooting 56.2 percent from the floor, 30.5 percent from behind the 3-point line, and he shot 64.2 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 4.4 boards, 2.4 assists, and 1.3 steals.
According to 247sports coming out of Sky View High (UT), Falslev was rated as the 431st-best player nationally, the 81st-best shooting guard, and the 6th-best prospect overall in Utah. He originally signed with the university of utah before serving an LDS Church mission.
Falslev is a very gifted basketball player. He possesses a good frame, impressive athleticism, and a great deal of talent. He was clearly the most talented player on the floor and impacted the game at the high school level in many ways. He is a good defender and has the traits to be a good one. He has good size and length, plus his athleticism allows him to put pressure on ball handlers. A naturally gifted and willing passer, he was constantly looking for the open man and threw a variety of passes at varying angles and speeds to hit his target. He anticipates passing opportunities as well. He is a good athlete, that is probably best described as effortless in his movement traits. He can absolutely explode off the floor with an impressive vertical jump.
DEXTER AKANNO
Dexter Akanno is a transfer from Oregon State University who will enter the 2024-25 season as a graduate senior and use his final season of eligibility with the Aggies. As a junior last season, Akanno started in 25 of 30 games for the Beavers and averaged 10.9 points per game while shooting 39.0 percent from the floor, 32.5 percent from behind the 3-point line and he shot 70.4 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 2.0 boards, 1.3 assists, and 0.9 steals.
During his 4-year career at Oregon State and Marquette University, he has played 103 games with 68 starts and averaged 7.1 points per game while shooting 37.1 percent from the floor, 28.8 percent from behind the 3-point line and he shot 72.0 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 2.2 boards, 1.1 assists, and 0.6 steals.
According to 247sports coming out of Blair Academy (NJ), Akanno was rated as the 366th-best player nationally, the 39th-best combo guard, and the 9th-best prospect overall in New Jersey. He originally held offers from Marquette, New Mexico, and Virginia Tech. After entering the transfer portal, Akanno chose the Aggies over offers from Santa Barbara, San Diego State, UNLV, and USC.
Akanno is this year’s jack-of-all-trades. I think he compares very favorably to former Aggie Josh Uduje. I expect him to see action at shooting guard, WING, and if needed, a “small-ball” stretch 4. His upper-level athleticism and size allow him to carve his way to the basket, where he will do what he does best, finish at the rim or draw a foul. He can finish with a layup or throw it down with ease. He is accurate enough with the 3-ball that opposing teams will not be able to ignore him. If left alone, he will make them pay by knocking down a shot or blowing by a defender attempting to close out on him. He is strong enough that he can post up an opposing defender and when given enough space to operate, he will go to work down low. He will prove to be a scrappy defender, who will always find a way to make a momentum-swinging “hustle play”. Every team needs a dude like Akanno and I think once the season concludes he could make a strong case for Sixth Man of the Year consideration.
BRADEN HOUSLEY
Braden Housley is a transfer from Southern Utah University who will enter the 2024-25 season as a sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining. In his first season of collegiate action last season, Housley started in all 31 games for the Thunderbirds and averaged 10.8 points per game while shooting 33.7 percent from the floor, 27.2 percent from behind the 3-point line, and shot 62.9 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 3.5 boards, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. His strong performance last season earned him a spot on the WAC All-Freshman Team.
Being just a redshirt freshman last season, Housley grew up on the fly. His basketball IQ is high enough that his first taste of college basketball was a successful one. He has good court vision and often makes the correct pass to hit an open teammate. He is patient with the ball and doesn’t overthink the possession. He is also good at driving to the basketball and knowing when to kick the ball out or create some contact and get to the free throw line. At Southern Utah he seemed to score a lot of the pick-and-roll, it will be interesting to see if that trend continues at Utah State. I also expect his shooting percentages to increase as an Aggie with him no longer needing to be a focal point of the offensive scheme.
JAXON SMITH
Adding depth to the position is redshirt freshman preferred walk-on Jaxon Smith. In his first season in an Aggie uniform, Smith sat out the season while redshirting.
As a senior at Woods Cross High School (UT) in 2022-23, he appeared in 23 games. He averaged 15.6 points per game while shooting 38.0 percent from the floor, 35.0 percent from behind the 3-point line and he shot 91.0 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 3.0 boards, 2.7 assists, and 0.3 steals per game.
Smith chose to join the Aggies over offers from Colorado Northwestern Community College, Green River College, South Carolina-Salkehatchie, Southwestern Oregon Community College, Treasure Valley Community College, Umpqua Community College, Western Nebraska Community College, and Wyoming Community College.
Smith is showing that he can be a smart combo guard who can effectively lead a scout team consistently. He is a good player on the ball. He handles the ball well and doesn’t make mistakes often. He can shoot the 3-ball very consistently. He can’t be left alone on the outside, he’ll make you pay for it. He is a smart player who is good off the ball and flows well within the movement of the offense. He is a scrappy defender and he isn’t afraid to hit the floor for loose balls. He’s a tough kid who belongs in an Aggie uniform.
PROJECTED 2024-25 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
SHOOTING GUARD
12 Mason Falslev (6-3, 203, So., 3*, 1L)
7 Dexter Akanno (6-5, 210, Gr-Sr., TR, 3*)
0 Braden Housley (6-4, 180, So., TR, NR)
3 Jaxon Smith (6-2, 188, RsFr., SQ, NR)
Coming Up On Tuesday: WING