KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Western Michigan men's basketball program has begun preparations for the 2026-27 season this week with the start of official practices. 

"From a basketball perspective, the first day wasn't perfect, but it was great to start the season in an official capacity, " First-year Western Michigan head coach Kahil Fennell said. "I've been really pleased with the coachability and connectivity of this team, which are really good foundations from which to grow. We have a long way to go, but the guys are working their behinds off to be the best versions of themselves."

The new-look Broncos brought 14 new players to the program, with 10 transfers and four freshmen coming into the fold. Western Michigan brought in players from all over the world, starting with four players from the state of Michigan in Ramere Draper (Grand Rapids), Ben Johnson (Portage), Rob Lee Jr. (Flint) and Jordan Sigmon (Detroit). The roster features players from seven different states, as well as international players hailing from Canada (Adam Harakow), Latvia (Janis Jünemann) and Lithuania (Augustinas Kiudulas). 

In the transfer portal, Coach Fennell brought a pair of guards with him from UTRGV, in sophomore Julien Gomez and junior Jaylen Washington. Transferring to WMU from other NCAA Division I programs were Mason Bendinger (USC Upstate), Joshua Eli (Army West Point), Isaac Finlinson (Hawaii), Harakow (Wyoming), Tanner Hayhurst (Southern Utah), Kiudulas (Colorado State) and Lee (Lamar). The Brown and Gold also landed Draper, a former NJCAA All-American at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, from the NCAA Division II ranks (Claflin). Among WMU's four freshmen is Sigmon, who is the highest-rated high school recruit in program history. 

Western Michigan is set to begin its 2026-27 campaign on Monday, Nov. 2, with a trip to Old Dominion as part of the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge. WMU's first home game under Coach Fennell is slated for Thursday, Nov. 5, against Kalamazoo College. 

Season tickets are now on sale for the 2026-27 Western Michigan basketball season. The renewal deadline for returning season ticket holders is Friday, Oct. 2. Returning season ticket holders can renew their tickets through their existing ticket account. Any fans interested in becoming a season ticket holder for Bronco basketball can do so for the men's team here, and for the women's team here.

Season tickets can also be renewed or purchased by calling the Bronco Ticket Office at (269) 387-8092.