By Devin McCullough
As the 2025-26 men’s basketball season tips off, there’s an undeniable sense of unfinished business in Pembroke.
A year ago, the UNC Pembroke Braves defied the odds and put together what was arguably the best season in program history. After a rocky 1-4 start that included losses to then-#25 Ferris State and #3 West Texas A&M in the D2CCA Tip-Off Classic, and a high-scoring home defeat to USC Aiken, few outside of Pembroke saw what was coming. But under the steady leadership of head coach Drew Richards, the Braves rattled off 26 wins in their next 27 games, closing the year with a 27-5 record and dominating the Conference Carolinas at 18-2.
And they did it all without one of their biggest weapons.
All-conference standout Nygell Verdier missed the entire season with a foot injury, a loss that could have derailed a less resilient group. Instead, the Braves leaned on their depth and defensive identity to make yet another postseason push, further cementing their place as a Division II powerhouse under Richards, who has made 25-plus wins an annual expectation in Pembroke. Coach Richards spoke on the adversity at the begining of the season.
Richards said “It was after the thing where we were about to play Virginia State and in warmups they shattered our backboard, it’s something I never really seen before. It was an opportunity to have that debrief and retool. We all took a few days off and got our minds right with the slow start and got prepared for a phenomenal Lincoln Memorial team.”
Now, with the new season on the horizon, the buzz is back and so is Verdier.
Verdier said “Honestly, that was one of the worst parts of my life. I’ve never been injured to the point where I had to miss the entire year, and I felt it might have been a reason for my injury, because I got to watch and observe through the whole season.”
As the team prepares to usher in a new era with several fresh faces and a retooled roster, which Coach Richards has continued to do here at UNC Pembroke, the team welcomes back Javonte Waverly who was also absent last season as well. A true senior who has been a pivotal rotational player since his freshman year with career averages of 8 points per game, and nearly 2 assists.
The other exciting piece that the Braves are ecstatic to have this upcoming season is Demar Anderson, a redshirt senior from Charlotte, North Carolina. He previously played at Coker University and is a guy that can pour it in, starting in 20 games last time he was on the court and averaging near 17 points per game.
Verdier who is expected to be a huge vocal leader this season has his own perception of how to prepare for a high expectation season, with lots of new faces.
Verdier said “This will be a special team this season, just based on the size and athleticism. I don’t know another team since I’ve been here that has this type of athleticism, and me being a veteran type of player on team, I know I have to be a leader, talk more, and be a role model.”
The Braves will officially kick off the season at Moonlight Madness on October 23 (Thursday) at 6:30 p.m. in Pembroke’s Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court, presented by McDonald’s. It’s more than just a game; it’s a celebration of what this team is building and a chance for fans to witness firsthand the blend of veteran leadership and fresh talent ready to make their mark.
Following that, the Braves hit the road to face USC Aiken on November 14 (Friday) at 6 p.m., before returning home for their highly anticipated first home game on November 16 (Sunday) at 3:30 p.m. against Lander.
With Verdier back to lead the charge, new weapons like Demar Anderson ready to score, and a roster built on size and athleticism, this Braves squad isn’t just looking to compete, they’re aiming to dominate. The stage is set, the fans are ready, and the energy is electric. Get ready, Pembroke, this season promises to be one you won’t want to miss.