GREENVILLE, S.C. – Lees-McRae men's basketball, under first-year head coach
Desean Motley, were picked to finish ninth in the 2025 Conference Carolinas Men's Basketball Preseason Poll.
Gavin Bullock,
Isajah Deburgo, and
Nigel Okwakol were named Players to Watch for the upcoming season.
UNC Pembroke was voted to finish first with 15 first-place votes and 225 total points. Young Harris received the other first-place vote and collected 199 total points. Emmanuel, Chowan, and Barton placed third, fourth, and fifth respectively. Lees-McRae ranked ninth with 103 total points.
The Bobcats open the 2025-26 regular season on November 15 in Jefferson City, Tennessee when they face UVA Wise in the South Atlantic vs. Conference Carolinas Crossover Challenge at 5:30 p.m. Lees-McRae opens its home contests on November 18 against Greensboro on the McNair & Debi Tornow Court.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on X (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
2025-26 Conference Carolinas Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
| Position |
School |
Points (First-Place Votes) |
| 1 |
UNC Pembroke |
225 (15) |
| 2 |
Young Harris |
199 (1) |
| 3 |
Emmanuel |
188 |
| 4 |
Chowan |
182 |
| 5 |
Barton |
156 |
| 6 |
King |
153 |
| 7 |
Mount Olive |
143 |
| 8 |
Francis Marion |
133 |
| 9 |
Lees-McRae |
103 |
| 10 |
Converse |
101 |
| 11 |
Belmont Abbey |
95 |
| 12 |
North Greenville |
74 |
| 13 |
Southern Wesleyan |
57 |
| 14 |
Shorter |
44 |
| 15 |
Erskine |
40 |
| 16 |
Ferrum |
27 |
