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Men's Basketball Danny Talbert

The Difference a Year Makes: UWG Men’s Basketball's Second Season in DI

CARROLLTON, Ga. - With the 2025-26 season officially in the books, the West Georgia men's basketball program saw notable improvement in overall record, conference record and total All-ASUN honors in their second year competing at the Division I level.

From year one to two, UWG more than doubled its total wins, increasing from six to 15 (150 percent increase). Posting a 13-17 record against DI competition this season marked the seventh-best win percentage (.433) for reclassifying schools in the second year of their transition.

The Pack also enjoyed improvement in conference play. This season, UWG doubled its league victories from four to eight, earning a sixth seed in the ASUN Championship Tournament. Not only did the team earn a spot this year, but they also secured their first-ever postseason DI victory over No. 11 North Florida in the opening round to advance to the ASUN Quarterfinals. This becomes even more impressive when you learn that the Wolves missed the tournament last year after placing 11th in the conference (11th and 12th did not make the tournament last season).

UWG had many memorable moments this year, including a signature road victory over the eventual Sun Belt Champions, Troy, a win over The Citadel in the ASUN/SOCON Challenge and wins over two of the top four teams in the ASUN. The Wolves also scored the most points in a single game (120 points) since dropping 122 vs Alabama Huntsville during the 2017-18 season. 

Along with the team success, West Georgia also relished in individual accolades with guard Josh Smith voted ASUN Sixth Man of the Year and forward Shelton Williams-Dryden earning First Team All-ASUN, both of which were firsts for the program. 

Smith finished the season ranking second on the team and seventh in the ASUN in points per game (16.2PPG), but first in scoring in the ASUN for players coming off the bench. He also won ASUN Newcomer of the Week and ASUN Player of the Week once this season.

The 2025-26 campaign saw Williams-Dryden lead the team and rank second in the ASUN in rebounds per game (9.1 RPG), fourth in the ASUN in points per game (20.7 PPG) and seventh in field goal percentage (.501 FG%), while also recording an ASUN-best 13 double-doubles. He was also 1-of-4 Mid-Major players to win Lute Olson National Player of the Week honors, and he was the only player to earn ASUN Player of the Week three times. Accompanying these honors, Williams-Dryden etched his name in the UWG record books by recording the seventh most points (661 points) and eighth most rebounds (521) in a single season. The forward finished his career ranking fifth in field goals made (481 FGM), sixth in scoring (1207 points) and eighth in career rebounding (521 rebounds) at UWG. 

Joining Williams-Dryden in the UWG record books, wing Kolten Griffin wrapped up his illustrious career setting the record for most starts (125 starts) while placing fourth in career rebounds (642 rebounds), forwards JaVar Daniel and Kenneth Chime set single season records for most blocks, with the former swatting the fourth most blocks (55 blocks) and the latter recording the sixth most in school history (50 blocks).

From earning ASUN accolades for the first time in program history to improving its overall and conference records, West Georgia men's basketball progressed in all aspects during year two of the DI transition. 

Even with the season officially over, stay up-to-date with all things UWG men's basketball by following the team's Instagram and X @UWG_MBB
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Players Mentioned

Kolten Griffin

#11 Kolten Griffin

F
6' 6"
Junior
Kenneth Chime

#22 Kenneth Chime

PF
6' 9"
Redshirt Freshman
Shelton Williams-Dryden

#4 Shelton Williams-Dryden

F
6' 6"
Senior
JaVar Daniel

#5 JaVar Daniel

G/F
6' 10"
Junior
Josh Smith

#10 Josh Smith

G
6' 3"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Kolten Griffin

#11 Kolten Griffin

6' 6"
Junior
F
Kenneth Chime

#22 Kenneth Chime

6' 9"
Redshirt Freshman
PF
Shelton Williams-Dryden

#4 Shelton Williams-Dryden

6' 6"
Senior
F
JaVar Daniel

#5 JaVar Daniel

6' 10"
Junior
G/F
Josh Smith

#10 Josh Smith

6' 3"
Junior
G
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