The Florida State men's basketball team has been busy this offseason assembling a roster that will be drastically different when the season starts in late October. With five transfers, one junior college transfer, six freshmen and three returning players from last year, Seminole fans will have a lot to get familiar with as far as what the roster will look like in the fall.
“A big thank you to the administration and the university for getting behind what we’re building,” head coach Luke Loucks said. “I feel we’re at a place now where the danger has lightened a little bit, but we still have a long way to go.”
Here is a position by position breakdown of the current roster after the transfer portal closed.
Guards:
Jasen Lopez
Hollywood, Florida
Redshirt Freshmen
6-0, 180 pounds
Two-sport athlete who will not be part of basketball activities for the fall semester as he will be playing on the football team. When Lopez does rejoin the basketball team, he will begin playing point guard after redshirting his first season. Lopez doesn’t wow you with his stature but has a football mindset and was a dynamic point guard in high school. How that translates to college in a sport that Lopez doesn’t play full time will be a development to watch.
Jalen Crawford
Tallahassee, Florida
Junior
6-0, 165 pounds
Crawford is a legacy, with his dad Adrian Crawford having played for FSU in the 1990s. Crawford would be considered a walk-on in days of yesteryear, but today he is a scholarship player. He is a good support piece and locker room guy to have around the program. Will he contribute in any meaningful way on the court for the Seminoles this season? Probably not, but having another body at the guard position is always a good thing to have in case injuries occur.
Anthony Robinson II
Tallahassee
Senior
Transfer from Missouri
6-3, 185 pounds
The Tallahassee native returns home for his senior season after spending three years at Missouri, where he averaged 7.4 points per game in his career. Robinson has the ability to get to his spots on the court effortlessly for a solid mid-range jump shot. The talented guard also has a devastating step-back 3-point shot and can also do it from the midrange. Robinson is a polished shooting guard coming in as a senior who also possesses a ton of experience. Look for Robinson to contribute in a big way on the offensive end as well as on the defensive end with Robinson averaging 1.7 steals per game. His game will fit like a glove in head coach Luke Loucks modern style collegiate offense.
Amare Robinson
Tallahassee
Sophomore
Transfer from Tallahassee State College
6-1, 179 pounds
Amare Robinson joined his brother Anthony in donning the Garnet and Gold for his collegiate years after spending one year at Tallahassee State College. Robinson's father, Anthony, also played baseball at Florida A&M so the young Robinson has roots in the city of Tallahassee. Before joining TSC, Robinson spent his high school years at Florida State University School (playing for Charlie Ward). Robinson spent one season at TSC, where he averaged three points, two rebounds and one assist per game, while also recording 21 steals. Robinson should not be a major contributor for the upcoming season as the guard position at Florida State is quite heavy in numbers. Having familiarity with his brother and the city should be beneficial for his development. Look for the Seminoles to try the younger Robinson out at point guard.
Brandon Bass Jr.
Orlando
Freshman
6-4, 185 pounds
If the name Brandon Bass Jr. sounds familiar to any NBA fans, it's because his dad, Brandon Bass Sr., played 12 seasons in the NBA for a number of teams, including the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. Bass Jr. is a four-star recruit from Orlando with good length for the modern style of guard and a strong work ethic given he is the son of a former NBA player. As a junior Bass was electric, averaging 20.7 points per game and even scored 43 during a single game. His jump shot is also advanced for someone of his age. Look for Bass Jr. to contribute immediately as he comes to FSU ready made and ready to play.
JD Jones
Phoenix
Freshman
6-5, 205 pounds
JD Jones is another son of an NBA player who joins the Seminoles from Phoenix. Jones’ father, James, was a three-time NBA champion who currently holds the position of Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations for the NBA. As a senior, Jones led Phoenix Country Day School to an impressive 25-2 record and was a major contributor. Jones is the prototypical guard that Loucks like to use and he will have plenty to work with, as Jones has the requisite size to be a mismatch for smaller guards and slow forwards.
Martay Barnes
Melbourne, Florida
Freshman
6-2, 170 pounds
The Melbourne native joins the Seminoles as a four-star prospect and could play either guard position depending on where Loucks places him. Barnes is an explosive guard who can get to the rim in a multitude of ways. Whether it's one-dribble or two-dribble drives to the basket or pull-up jumpers, Barnes is a playmaker with speed, and possesses skills to attack on offense. Defensively, Barnes has the energy and a constant pressure mindset to make him a problem for any offense. Barnes reclassified to the class of 2026 and is expected to get serious playing time, either at shooting guard or point guard.
“We want positional size and length,” Loucks said. “Not at the interior, that's at every position. And I think we’ll have some lineups this year that, to me, will be the biggest lineups in the country positionally across the board.”
Forwards:
AJ Swinton
Cabin John, Maryland
Junior
6-6, 220 pounds
Swinton was a key role player last season before tearing his ACL in early March. His size and athleticism to deliver rim-rocking dunks on the regular was a sight for fans of Seminole basketball to see. Swinton is entering his third year with the program, having played his freshman season for former FSU basketball coach Leonard Hamilton and his second season with the program with Loucks. Now Swinton is the elder one who has been with the program the longest. The question remains how much will Swinton be able contribute in the 2026-2027 season? That remains to be determined when Swinton recovers and how long will it take him to regain his athleticism after such a brutal injury? When healthy, Swinton should keep developing in a positive way because he possesses all of the physical tools to be a solid collegiate basketball player.
Kameron Taylor
Matthews, North Carolina
Junior
Transfer from UNC Asheville
6-7, 185 pounds
The size and length of Taylor is just what Loucks is looking for in a wing player. Taylor is a prolific scorer who can get to the basket easily and can draw a ton of fouls. As a sophomore, Taylor averaged 18 points per game, five rebounds and three assists at UNC Asheville. Taylor enters the program ready to contribute right away. Taylor can play either guard position but is more of a shooting guard.
Shon Abaev
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Sophomore
Transfer from Cincinnati
6-8, 210 pounds
Abaev once was a McDonald's All-American coming out of high school and offered a ton of potential. After playing one year at Cincinnati, where he averaged seven points and two rebounds per game, it was time for a change of scenery and for a coaching staff to get the most out of his abilities. Loucks and his staff will mold Abaev into a player that has NBA potential. Abaev is a skilled forward that can play the guard position, but is versatile in his attacking style on offense. Abaev will likely start day one for the Seminoles.
Elisee Assui
Varese, Italy
Freshman
6-5, 230 pounds
Assui was a late addition to Florida State's signing class and brings an international flavor to the team. The talented guard can play multiple positions and has a disciplined approach to his game. He understands the modern style of basketball when it comes to spacing and has a very high basketball IQ for someone of his age. Assui led the Italian National Team to a U20 gold medal last summer and averaged 13 points per game, four rebounds and two assists. This late addition should make an impact for the Seminoles defensively and look for Assui to develop at a rate where he can be relied upon during the heavy portion of ACC play.
Collin Paul
Palm Beach, Florida
Freshman
6-7, 225 pounds
Paul is still recovering from an ACL injury so the status of his playing time and contributions are yet to be determined. As a four-star recruit from Palm Beach, Florida, Paul averaged 13 points per game, six rebounds, two assists and one steal during his junior year in high school. Paul’s ability to handle the ball, shoot and deliver precision passes makes him a great fit for Loucks' playing style. Paul's size, length and athleticism gives Loucks another toy to play with and develop.
“I like guys that can play multiple positions,” Loucks said. “I like moving the chess pieces around as the game goes on, I like to go small and put the wing at the five and I like going big.”
Cooper Schwieger
Senior
Olathe, Kansas
Transfer from Wake Forest
6’ 10” 235 pounds
Schwieger played his first two seasons at Valparaiso and then last season at ACC opponent Wake Forest. While at Valparaiso, Schwieger started 65 games, where he averaged 14 points per game, six rebounds and recorded 96 blocks, 28 steals and 67 assists. Schwieger then transferred to Wake Forest for his junior season and appeared in 34 games. In one game against Georgia Tech, Schwieger poured in 13 points. Now entering his senior season, Schwieger brings the size and experience to handle the rigors of being a low post player in the ACC. FSU needed another center to go in the rotation and, at 6-10 and weighing over 230 pounds, Schwieger will be able to contribute right away.
Sebastian Rancik
Junior
Bratislava, Slovakia
Transfer from Colorado
6-11, 220 pounds
Rancik is by far the biggest find out of the transfer portal. Rancik is a power forward with the skill set of a guard. He can drive and finish at the basket, has ball-handling abilities and can stretch the floor with his 3-point making ability. Rancik started 26 games last season at Colorado and averaged 12 points per game and five rebounds. Rancik is also quite reliable at the free-throw line at 86 percent. Rancik gives the Seminoles a powerful and skilled big man that will contribute as a starter from day one.
Center:
Marcis Ponder
Freshman
Miami
7-0, 325 pounds
Ponder is by far the biggest fish the Seminoles pulled from the high school ranks. Once Ponder is in shape for Loucks’ style of basketball, look out. He is an absolute menace around the basket and can snatch rebounds out of the air with ease. At times, he looks like a man among boys with his size and athleticism. Last year, Florida State did not have a legitimate presence inside, but now they have a game changer. Ponder's motor and tenacity, to go along with his imposing size should make him an immediate fan favorite. I don’t think Ponder will start right away but at the start of ACC play, I could see him crack the starting lineup once he gets comfortable and develops into the college game.
Outlook:
Now Florida State must get to work this offseason to be fine-tuned when the season starts. It will be an acclimation and feeling-out process between the coaches and players. This team has great length and athleticism. The Seminoles will also be much improved at center, a position where FSU didn’t have the money to acquire talent and it exposed issues with the team in 2025-26. FSU fans should have plenty to get excited about as their basketball team now will turn the page and seek to contend for the NCAA tournament.
“We tried to get as many people on our team that can shoot, pass and dribble, and I know that's an oversimplification of a very nuanced thing when you roster build,” head coach Luke Loucks said. “In this day and age, they’re a lot of guys that understand workouts and understand drills but when they get in the game, they have no idea how to play. So trying to prioritize guys that watch film, they understand what's going on, and it’s not just the action right in front of them.”
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