Snow College men's basketball has confirmed its 2026-27 coaching staff and a robust new signing class following a highly successful 29-5 season. The Badgers, who earned an at-large bid to the NJCAA National tournament last season, will retain assistant coach Ethan Kahn and add Carter Sonneborn to the bench under head coach Brad Kitchen.
Coaching Staff Continuity and Growth
The Badgers' coaching staff will feature the return of Ethan Kahn, who is entering his second season with the program. During the 2025-26 campaign, Kahn helped lead the team to a 29-5 overall record and a 12-3 mark in Scenic West Athletic Conference play. Additionally, Kahn was instrumental in the team's academic performance, helping the roster achieve a 3.67 GPA, the highest in NJCAA men's basketball for the 2025-26 season.
Kahn brings a diverse coaching background to Ephraim. He previously served as an assistant at NCAA Division II Catawba College from 2021 to 2023, where he held roles as both an assistant and director of basketball operations/video coordinator. During his tenure there, the team won a South Atlantic Conference Championship and reached the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament in two of his three years. He also served as an assistant coach at Bemidji State University during the 2023-24 season and began his career as a student assistant at Northern Arizona University.
Head coach Brad Kitchen praised Kahn's contributions, noting that he is a "student of the game" with an "exceptional eye for talent." Kitchen stated that Kahn's ability to build relationships with players will help the program remain highly competitive.
New Addition to the Bench
Joining the coaching staff is Carter Sonneborn, who arrives from the University of Portland. Sonneborn served as a graduate assistant for the Pilots from 2024 to 2026, where he focused on player development. During his time at Portland, he was part of the staff that secured a historic victory over Gonzaga, marking the program's first win against an AP Top-10 opponent.
Sonneborn's experience includes working with high-level talent such as First Team All-West Coast Conference selection Joel Foxwell and Second Team All-WCC selection Max Mackinnon. Before his time at Portland, Sonneborn worked at Gonzaga University as an intern and practice player under head coach Lisa Fortier. He also has experience as a walk-on player at Washington State University and attended Whitworth University.
Sonneborn, a graduate of Gonzaga Prep, noted that his basketball journey was shaped by being coached by NBA Hall of Famer John Stockton during his childhood. Kitchen described Sonneborn as a "young, hungry individual" and an invaluable asset who has been part of high-level programs in the collegiate landscape.
Sophomore Transfer Class
The Badgers' 2026-27 signing class includes several experienced transfers and high-performing freshmen. The sophomore class features guard Jakobe Jones of Rigby, Idaho, who averaged 7.1 points per game at Northeastern JC in Colorado. Joining him is guard/forward Amari Davis from Sparks, Nevada, who comes following a season at Miami-Dade College where he averaged 17.5 points and 7 rebounds per game.
Other sophomore additions include wing/forward Jamaal Phatty, who transfers from The College of the Sequoias in California and Frankfurt, Germany. Phatty averaged 5.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game last season. Rounding out the sophomores is guard Julian Cuillier, a native of Pearland, Texas, who joins from McClellan CC in Texas after averaging 5.1 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.
Utah talent is well-represented in the new roster. Kyler Hadfield, a former Westlake High School star from Eagle Mountain, joins as a sophomore wing following a season at Everett CC in Washington where he averaged 10.5 points per game. Additionally, freshman Isaiah Drisdom from Highland High School in Salt Lake City joins the roster after averaging 10.8 points per game for the Rams.
Freshman Recruiting Details
The incoming freshman class is highlighted by several standout high school performers. Shane Skidmore, a freshman from Spokane, Washington, joins the Badgers after averaging 15 points and 11 rebounds per game for University High School. Also arriving from the Spokane area is freshman Dino Roberts Jr., who comes from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, where he averaged 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists last season.
Local Utah talent continues to bolster the roster with the addition of Nate Schroeder, a freshman from St. George. Schroeder, a former player for Pine View, averaged 22 points and 5.7 rebounds per game last season while shooting 51 percent from the floor. Xander Hale, a freshman from American Fork High School, also joins the squad after averaging 5.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game for the Cavemen.
Rounding out the newcomers is redshirt freshman Max Rehl, who transfers from CSUN (Cal State Northridge) from Phoenix, Arizona.
Recent Program Success
The recent coaching and roster announcements follow a highly competitive 2025-26 season for Snow College. The Badgers finished with an overall record of 29-5 and a 12-3 record in the Scenic West Athletic Conference.
During the postseason, Snow College earned an at-large bid to the NJCAA National tournament. In their first-round appearance, the Badgers secured a victory against Trinidad State. This success places the program in a strong position as they head into the 2026-27 season with a stabilized coaching staff and a diverse group of incoming players.
Looking Ahead
As the 2026-27 season approaches, the combination of established coaching and a deep recruiting class marks a significant phase for the Snow College men's basketball program. The coaching staff's focus on both competitive excellence and academic achievement remains a cornerstone of the program's identity.
Snow College men's basketball has finalized its 2026-27 roster and coaching staff. The team looks to build on a 29-5 season with a mix of experienced transfers and incoming freshmen.
