Weber State men's basketball suffered a major blow to its roster following a season-ending injury to junior guard Alvin Jackson III, just days before the team's regular-season opener against Oregon State on Monday, Nov. 2. Jackson, a 6-foot-5 guard and wing, tore his ACL during an exhibition game on Saturday, Oct. 17, leaving the team without its oldest player and primary perimeter defender.
Injury to Key Defender
The injury occurred during a Saturday exhibition win against Westminster at the Dee Events Center. Jackson, who transferred to Weber State from Utah, had scored four points in 16 minutes of play before tangling with a Westminster player while attempting to secure a steal. Following the incident, medical tests confirmed the ACL tear, which will sideline the player indefinitely.
Impact on Roster Depth
Weber State head coach Kaleb Canales expressed frustration regarding the loss of the junior guard. "Just feel terrible for Alvin," Canales said, according to a Standard-Examiner report from Oct. 27, 2026. Canales noted that while the injury is a significant blow, the team intends to rally around Jackson during his recovery.
A Youthful Squad
The loss of Jackson significantly alters the team's composition heading into the 2026-27 season. While national basketball writers previously identified Weber State as the second-youngest team in the country, Jackson's absence makes the Wildcats the youngest team in Division I. The roster is characterized by extreme youth, featuring only two returning players from last season: ArDarius Grayson and Declan Cutler.
Exhibition Success
The injury news comes as the Wildcats concluded a successful exhibition schedule. On Wednesday, Oct. 28, Weber State defeated Colorado Mesa 85-60 to close out preseason play. Dylan Warlick led the team in that contest with 18 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, while ArDarius Grayson contributed 15 points from the bench.
Preseason Performance
The victory over Colorado Mesa was the third of three exhibition games under the new leadership of Kaleb Canales. The Wildcats had previously defeated Westminster 96-74 on Saturday, Oct. 24. In that matchup, Dyllan Thompson led the scoring with 18 points, supported by Mason Abittan with 17 points and Augustine Ekwe with 15 points.
The Canales Era
The 2026-27 season marks the 65th season of Division I action for Weber State and the beginning of the Kaleb Canales era. Canales, the 11th head coach in program history, joined the staff in April after an 18-year career in the NBA, including time with the Portland Trail Blazers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Indiana Pacers. His coaching staff includes associate head coach Patrick Zipfel and assistant coaches Dondrale Campbell, Bobby Jones, and Luke Spring.
Roster Composition and Leadership
The Wildcats' roster features nine transfers from Division I schools. Beyond the returners Grayson and Cutler, the team includes several newcomers such as Augustine Ekwe, a transfer from New Mexico State, and Dylan Warlick, a transfer from St. Louis. The program's front office is bolstered by NBA superstar Damian Lillard, a former two-time Big Sky MVP for the Wildcats, who serves as the program's General Manager.
