WHITTIER, Calif. (Sept. 26, 2025) – As the Whittier College men's basketball team prepares for the 2025-26 season, Head Coach Mark Jensen and his staff will showcase one of their largest and most diverse recruiting classes in recent years.
With 10 newcomers, a blend of experienced transfers and promising freshmen, the Poets have reloaded with players who bring scoring, defense, and leadership from across California, the United States, and abroad. This group combines proven talent with exciting upside, all united by a shared commitment to raising the standard of Whittier men's basketball.
Here's a look at the newest Poets set to wear the Purple & Gold this season:
Brandon Andrews // 5'11" // Palomar College
Andrews, a guard from Clear Lake, Texas, joins the Poets after earning All-PCAC Honorable Mention at Palomar College. He reached double figures in eight of 12 conference games last season and posted a team-high 16 points against Southwestern. A spring transfer who already
got a glimpse of Whittier's playoff run, Andrews arrives as a steady scorer with a selfless approach who strengthens the Poets' depth in the backcourt.
Jonathan Duley // 6'3" // Cuyamaca College
Duley, a guard from Rocklin, Calif., comes to Whittier after starting all 23 games in his lone season at Cuyamaca College. He averaged 12.6 points per game on 43 percent shooting and topped 20 points four times. Known for his leadership and basketball IQ, Duley adds confidence and a proven scoring touch to the Purple & Gold.
David Estes // 6'8" // Southern Nevada
Estes, a forward from Henderson, Nev., makes the move to Whittier after two seasons at the College of Southern Nevada. The 6'8" big man showed major growth last year, doubling his scoring average to 10.0 points per game while pulling down 5.0 rebounds. He also stretched the
floor with a 39 percent mark from beyond the arc, making him a front court threat both inside and out. With size and range, Estes gives the Poets a versatile option in the paint.
Peyton Guerrero // 6'4" // Cypress College
Guerrero, a guard/forward from Cypress College, arrives at Whittier after earning First-Team All-OEC honors in 2024. He helped lead the Chargers on their deepest playoff run in 25 years, averaging 12.7 points per game while shooting 43 percent from the field and 83 percent from the line. Over two seasons, he totaled 686 career points and proved to be a reliable two-way presence. With his scoring ability and versatility on the wing, Guerrero should slot in as an immediate contributor for the Poets.
Dillon McLennan // 6'1" // Hiram College (OH)
McLennan, a guard from Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., transfers to Whittier after two seasons at Hiram College in Ohio. Though limited in minutes with the Terriers, he made the most of his opportunities, shooting 44 percent from the field and 50 percent from three in 2024-25. Returning to Southern California, McLennan gives the Poets another steady option in the backcourt rotation.
Tochi Onyeador // 6'9" // Los Medanos College
Onyeador, a center from Nigeria, joins Whittier after an All-State season at Los Medanos College where he led all California JUCO players in blocks and ranked among the top five in rebounds. A defensive player of the year and relentless rim protector, he pairs size with an instinctive feel for the game, honed from years competing with his brothers back home. With room to grow offensively, Onyeador's rebounding, shot-blocking, and leadership presence make him a cornerstone addition for the Poets' front court.
Brandon Romo // 5'11" // Whittier High School
Romo, a freshman guard from Whittier High School, stays close to home as he joins the Poets this season. He averaged 22.2 points per game as a senior while guiding the Cardinals to the CIF-SS Division 4AA quarterfinals, including a 17-point, seven-rebound effort in the second round. A hometown standout with a knack for scoring, Romo brings both talent and local pride to the Purple & Gold back court.
Bryce Whitaker // 6'0" // Montana State Billings
Whitaker, a guard from Los Angeles, arrives at Whittier following stints at Montana State Billings, the University of San Francisco, and Lamar CC. A proven outside shooter, he knocked down nearly 40 percent of his threes last season for MSUB and was among the top marksmen in Region 9 South during his time at Lamar. With his veteran experience and Southern California roots, Whitaker gives the Poets another steady hand in the roster.
Sverre Woudstra // 6'4" // Netherlands
Woudstra, a freshman wing from Leiden, the Netherlands, brings international experience and a versatile skill set to Whittier. With a smooth perimeter game and the ability to attack off the dribble, he combines scoring touch with sharp instincts on both ends of the floor. His length and leadership give the Poets a unique addition from overseas as he begins his college career with the Purple & Gold.
Bernardo Zappia // 6'7" // Argentina
Zappia, a freshman center from Funes, Argentina, joins the Poets after competing at Colegio Sol De Funes and representing his region of Rosario in multiple championship runs. The 6'7" big man was part of a U-17 squad that captured the Interasociaciones title and also contributed to championship teams at both the second and first division levels in Rosario. With his size, international experience, and strong academic background as a top student in his class, Zappia arrives as a promising young piece for Whittier's front court
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