The 2025-26 college basketball season tipped off on Monday for Florida Atlantic as the Owls hit the court of the Elly for their first practice of the season. With a lot of turnover on the roster, and it being only the second year under John Jakus, it was an exciting hour of viewing.
Coach’s Thoughts
FAU’s practice had a lot to unpack, but Coach Jakus shared his thoughts from the afternoon.
Thoughts on First Practice:
“Energy overall, especially the longer the practices, for a first day it was great. I thought there was a real moment of toughness. It’s the first day we really got to hit and rebound. The way we responded to that was great.”
On Being Back on the Court for the 2025/26 Season:
“It’s one of the greatest gifts in life. Everybody loses that sometimes. The fact we get to play basketball in paradise, we get to smile while we do it. I couldn’t be happier to do this for a living.”
Roster Breakdown
Nine of the 15 Owls are either international players, or have spent time playing on the international circuit. The roster is made up of eight guards, six forwards, and one center.
Forwards
Devin Williams (#1) – 6’10, 200 lbs – Redshirt Sophomore
Transferred in from UCLA and redshirted last season. During his freshman year (2023-24) Williams played in ten contests, averaging 1.4 points and .7 rebounds in 3.2 minutes per game off the bench. Joins the Owls after being a four star in high school and has three years of eligibility left.
Amar Amkou (#3) – 6’7, 215 lbs – Redshirt Freshman
After missing last season with an injury, Amkou looks to be in line to see playing time this season. From Senegal, Africa, the redshirt freshman spent time in the NBA Academy Africa. In three games played during the 2023-24 season, Amkou averaged 13 points, shot 51.6% from the field and nearly 39% from three.
Zion Sampaio (#7) – 6’6, 185 lbs, Freshman
Member of the Brazil National team, Sampaio hails from Coconut Creek. During his high school years, the freshman scored over 1,000 points in his career. During his senior season, Sampaio averaged 24.3 MPG, 13.5 PPG, and 4.5 boards. He shot 51% from the field and averaged .5 blocks per game as well.
Josiah Parker (#11) – 6’7, 225 lbs, Freshman
A dominant player in the Overtime Elite league, Parker played for the Combine Academy out of the Charlotte area. Last season, the freshman averaged over 34 minutes per game, 21 points, nearly four assists, and 9.8 rebounds. Not a prominent three-point shooter, Parker averaged 1.5 shots from deep and on average made .5 baskets from that range per game. The 6’7 forward is also the brother of FAU assistant coach, Desmond Parker, and is the highest recruit in program history according to 24/7Sports.
Xander Pintelon (#17) – 6’11, 220 lbs – Junior
Belgium native, Pintelon transfers in after playing for Proximus Spirou Charleroi. For the professional club, the Junior averaged seven PPG and earned 3.5 rebounds on average. Pintelon also looks to be a threat from deep as he averaged a 32% clip from deep. The forward shot 51% from the field as well.
Maxim Logue (#77) – 6’9, 215 lbs – Sophomore
Coming in with a lot of experience in the college game, Logue appeared in 21 games for Oregon State last season. The Frenchman averaged 2.9 PPG and two boards last season while also shooting 64.9% from the field. Logue also has experience in international and professional play, appearing in three FIBA tournaments with team France and playing for Paris Basketball in the LNB Pro A.
Center
Vincent Neugebauer (#8) – 7’1, 241 lbs – Junior
From Germany, Neugebauer had a lot of time to prepare for the upcoming season. During 2024-25, the junior played in 37 games for the Tuebingen Tigers where he averaged 15.4 MPG, 6.2 PPG, and 3.9 rebounds per game. The German native also shot five of 12 from three during last season, a 41.7% clip.
Guards
Isaiah Elohim (#2) – 6’5, 210 lbs – Sophomore
Transferring in from USC, Elohim appeared in 18 games with the Trojans while starting in one. While his role last season was not major with Southern California, he has a lot of hype around him regardless. Elohim was a top 50 prospect out of high school, and averaged 12.8 points per game his senior year of high school.
Liam Dayco-Green (#4) – 6’2, 185 lbs, Redshirt Freshman
Joining the Owls as a walk-on in 2024, Dayco-Green took a redshirt as his role was limited. While his role looks to be the same this season, his talent should not be underestimated. In April, the guard was invited to be a part of Canada’s under 23 team.
Yohann Sissoko (#5) – 6’5, 205 lbs, Freshman
Another Frenchman on the squad, Sissoko is from Fontenay Sous Bois. During the June and July months of the Summer, the freshman spent time playing with the ASVEL Basket of the LNB Elite, France’s top basketball league. In seven contests, Sissoko averaged 9.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and three assists per game.
Max Langenfeld (#9) – 6’6, 195 lbs, Redshirt Freshman
After appearing in six games last season, Langenfeld scored a total of 19 points, 10 rebounds, a block, and steal. The redshirt freshman missed the remainder of the season due to injury. Langenfeld’s appearances last season did not amount to much time on the court, and it will be interesting to see how he is used this upcoming season as well.
Kanaan Carlyle (#18) – 6’3, 182 lbs, Junior
After being named an All-Pac-12 Freshman team performer, Carlyle transferred to Indiana. With the Hoosiers, the Georgia native appeared in 25 games with six starts. The junior missed seven games due to injury or illness. In Bloomington, Carlyle’s numbers were disappointing as he averaged only four points per game, one assist, and 1.6 boards. The good news for Carlyle; his role at FAU should not have him limited to only 16.2 minutes per game.
Devin Vanterpool (#22) – 6’4, 190 lbs, Redshirt Sophomore
Averaging only 7.9 minutes per game, Vanterpool should be expected to have a bigger role this season. Appearing in 30 games last season, the redshirt sophomore did not play a major part of the FAU offense, but in the American Conference quarterfinal matchup against Tulane, Vanterpool showed why he is on the roster. Recording a career high of 12 points, and taking in five boards against the Green Wave. We will see how he fits into Jakus’ squad this year.
Nico Moretti (#25) – 6’1, 165 lbs, Redshirt Junior
After transferring in from Illinois in 2024, Moretti was a nice addition for the Florida Atlantic squad. The French native averaged 6.5 PPG, 3.4 assists, and 2.6 rebounds last season. All that work came in 33 games with one start against East Carolina. Moretti also led the conference in assist/turnover ratio with 2.61 ratio.
Lachlan Smith (#30) – 6’3, 170 lbs, Freshman
Coming in from IMG Academy, Smith appeared in 10 games on the varsity gold squad. In those ten games played, Smith shot 37.5% from the field, but was a pretty good shot from deep as he shot a 46.2% clip from deep according to NCSA Sports.
Looking Ahead
FAU’s regular season schedule tips off on Monday, November 3rd as Boston College comes to Paradise. A set time for tipoff and where to watch has not been announced yet. While Season Tickets are waitlisted, you can still join the waitlist here.
