The 2022-23 Stephen F. Austin men’s basketball season ended with a sour taste left in the mouths of all Lumberjacks. An ugly night in Orem, Utah followed by a first-round exit in the WAC Tournament concluded an up and down campaign.
SFA never seemed to get on track due to some early season injuries, and continued to struggle to keep players healthy. The result?
Head Coach Kyle Keller was forced to restructure lineups, practices, and overall style of play. Despite the adversity, DayDay Hall (torn labrum) and his teammates gutted out a near 20-win season. And with the emergence of A.J. Cajuste to solidify the point guard position, the Lumberjack faithful should have a lot to look forward to.
Once a staple Mid-Major in the NCAA tournament, Stephen F. Austin has returned since 2018. Will the 2023-23 season be the year the Lumberjacks return to the big dance?
With a significant returning core of players, and the addition of several talented transfers, SFA should have size, depth, and athleticism to compete for the WAC Title.
Latrell Jossell is one of the best 3-point shooters in the WAC. Courtesy Western Athletic Conference.Head Coach
Kyle Keller, 8th season
2022-23 Record
19-13 overall/11-7 WAC
Postseason
Lost in WAC First Round to Utah Tech
Returners
- Kyle Hayman – 6’5, Senior
- DaeVeon Scott – 6’3, Redshirt Senior
- Sadaidriene Hall – 6’5, Junior
- Jalil Beaubrun – 6’9, Senior
- AJ Cajuste – 6’1, Senior
- Latrell Jossell – 6’1, Junior
- Nana Antwi-Boasiako – 6’9, Senior
Newcomers
- Myles Jenkins – 6’4, Sophomore – Anderson University (DII)
- Kimahri Wilson – 6’1, Redshirt Sophomore – Triton College
- Chrishawn Christmas – 6’5, Sophomore – Panola Junior College
- Clayton Southwick – 6’8, Junior – Snow College
- Juhlawnei Stone – 6’6, Junior – Cal Baptist
- Frank Staine – 6’6, Senior – Utah Tech
Departures
- Nigel Hawkins
- Roti Ware
- Robbie Armbrester
- Derrick Tezeno
- Jaylin Jackson-Posey
Day Day Hall could be in the mix for Player of the Year now that he is fully healthy. Courtesy Western Athletic Conference.Outlook
The trio of DayDay Hall, A.J. Cajuste, and sharpshooter Latrell Jossell return to give Kyle Keller 3 of last years top 4 scorers. Hall managed to bring down 6.8 RPG, and added 13.1 PPG with essentially one arm. Numbers he will look to increase, which should put his name in the running for WAC Player of the Year.
Cajuste is back as the WAC’s top returning assist man (4.1 APG), and with his first year under his belt, should flourish in what should be a very athletic and up tempo offense for Stephen F. Austin.
Keller is known for his gritty and tough defensive system, which saw the Lumberjacks finish the 2022-23 season 3rd nationally in turnovers forced per game (18.06). Expect the same this season, but with some needed size added to the roster.
With the additions of the likes of Frank Staine, Keller now has four Guards that are 6’4 or taller. Not to mention several athletic Forwards that will be difficult to match up with. The Lumberjacks consistently strive to turn defense into offense, and I expect this years team to be doing a lot of running to create fast break opportunities.
Juhlawnei Stone gives the ‘Jacks a beastly presence, and an overall game similar to Gavin Kensmil. Jalil Beaubrun was never able to really be highlighted last season due to a foot injury, but the 6’9, 240 pound Forward is very athletic and has the range to knockdown outside shots.
Two Lumberacks that I would keep an eye on that could provide a big impact…Kyle Hayman and Chrishawn Christmas. One other name to remember is Snow College transfer Clayton Southwick. Kyle Keller has been high on this 6’8, 235-pound junior who can do a lot of things on the floor.
Kyle Keller has a very talented roster, that should see at least 12 different players receiving significant playing time. If this Stephen F. Austin team can stay healthy, they have the size, depth, and athleticism to be a serious contender for the 2023-24 WAC Title.
Schedule News
The Jacks will host Jason Hooten and New Mexico State as part of the WAC/CUSA Alliance. SFA will travel to Middle Tennessee for the the second game of that Alliance. The Jacks are slated to play in the Cayman Island Classic. LMU will be the first opponent for the Jacks in the November MTE. SFA will get either Oakland or Drake in the second round.
Along with this news, the Jacks should get a home game against Louisiana Tech in a return from the 2022 thriller. Stephen F. Austin will also travel to Northwestern State on Nov. 14 in the return game for that series. SFA will most likely get home non-conference games than it has had in some time.
As part of the 20-game conference schedule, SFA opens WAC play at home against Tarleton on Nov. 29. SFA then travels to ACU to take on the Wildcats on Dec. 2.
There was a report that the Jacks would start a home-and-home series with Florida Gulf Coast. But, per Kyle Keller and athletic director Ryan Ivey, the two schools were not able to work it out. This would have given the Jacks another quality non-conference opponent.
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