Entering the Pac-12, it feels like Oregon State basketball is quickly becoming a unit. The program hired Justin Joyner in the off-season, who’s the opposite of his predecessor Wayne Tinkle. Joyner’s known for a fast-paced, high-volume three-point offense. And his style is attracting players to Corvallis at a rapid pace. Josiah Lake II decided to stay with the Beavers, and he was their best player last season. OSU also landed Yabi Aklog, a four-star recruit out of the Greater Seattle Area. They’ve also snagged two four-star recruits in the portal, along with a slew of three-stars. This staff could’ve quit; they lost their entire team in the transfer portal from a year ago, minus Lake II. The portal closes next Wednesday, but the Beavs currently rank 57th overall and 26th for transfer classes according to 247sports. This column will spotlight two of Oregon State’s additions in depth and take a brief look at the others.
Yabi Aklog
Yabi Aklog will immediately provide an elite post presence for the Beavers. Aklog is from Seattle and is a top 150 recruit nationally.
He played his high school ball at Eastside Catholic, a top program in the state. They play in the same division as Tyran Stokes. EC is one of their rivals.
The Crusaders beat the Vikings in the 2024 WIAA State Championship, and he finished with 28 points and nine rebounds.
This is a splashy get for Joyner, and he recognizes it, stating, “Yabi is an extraordinary talent and one of the best high school prospects on the West Coast.” He also added, “he brings toughness, feel, and a great approach to the game.”
This is the type of commitment that’ll get the entire Pac-12 credibility. Aklog stands 6-foot-10 and weighs 235 pounds; he already has a professionalish body.
During his senior season of high school, he averaged 20.2 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and 2.7 blocks.
https://osubeavers.com/news/2026/4/15/mens-basketball-aklog-signs-with-beavers
He’ll be ready to face anyone because of his experience in Seattle’s Metro League. It’s comparable to Oregon’s Three Rivers League or Mt. Hood conference, but the Metro’s a little better.
Paolo Banchero, Dejounte Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. are all players who’ve recently made the NBA from this league.
If Joyner could create a pipeline here, it could prove a vital connection.
Xavion Staton
Xavion Staton was the No. 37 recruit in the nation in 2025, but he suffered multiple injuries that kept him off the floor last season.
Staton transferred from BYU, and before all the knocks, was projected to be one of the best shot blockers in his recruiting class.
His biggest weakness in his early career was his lack of weight. He’s seven feet tall and weighs approximately 210 pounds. This isn’t a hindrance for all players, but he’s not Victor Wembanyama.
If Staton can stay healthy, he and Aklog could prove the best post combination in the Pac-12.
It’s hard to gauge how Xavion will play this season, given limited action, but the Cougars suffered without him, getting upset in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament by Texas.
Even in the era of hucking wild three-pointers, having an interior post presence is vital to winning championships. It allows every other defender to cheat.
Just like Aklog, Staton played with elite competition his whole career. He was on Team USA with AJ Dybantsa, the duo also played on the same select squad in Utah.
Xavion’s a team culture type of dude.
Everyone Else
Some guards are coming, but Joyner found another big man in the portal in Dennis Evans.
Some sites had Evans as a five-star recruit in 2023, but he’s struggled to find his two-step in college. He averaged 2.6 points per contest, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks a year ago at Grand Canyon.
Another new addition to the Beavers is Legend Smiley. Smiley’s a transfer guard from San Francisco. He shot 42% from beyond the arc last year.
OSU saw what he could do in the WCC Tournament; he scored 18 points against them in a one-point victory for the Beavs. He also played in Metro.
Fishing in the Bay, Oregon State, also landed DeShawn Gory from Fresno State. Gory’s freshman campaign proved stellar, averaging 13.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and two assists with the Bulldogs.
He also shot 48 percent from the field, which means he should prove efficient.
The final player who’s gonna get some love today is Jackson Rasmussen. Rasmussen helped lead Idaho to the NCAA Tournament last season.
He was the Big Sky Freshman of the Year and scored 20 or more points in five games a year ago.
Conclusion
This roster might not prove enough to win the conference, but it could be enough to make the NCAA Tournament. Joyner was previously the Associate Head Coach at Saint Mary’s, so he knows how to win. Oregon State already feels like a top-four team in the league, and that’s treading lightly. He also took a page out of Randy Bennett’s playbook, building his team with stature. Lake II returning is everything, and Joyner immediately surrounded him with playmakers. Losing a legend like Tinkle hurts, but sometimes change is for the betterment of everyone.
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