LIBERTY, Mo. - Head men's basketball coach Chris McCabe has announced the signing of seven student-athletes for the 2026-2027 season. Among them, are three transfers and four freshmen, who will join 11 returners coming off a second Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship in three years. 

"I am thrilled to add a strong group of new Cardinals to a group of hungry returners," said head coach Chris McCabe, who will be entering his eighth year at the helm. "My gratitude to Coach (Christian) Hildebrandt for his tireless work to identify and pursue student-athletes who embody the values of our program. As a whole, the group adds versatility, athleticism and potential for the upcoming season and beyond."

Jewell will be looking to replace a four-person senior class who carried a heavy load as Isaac Patterson, Kanukayi Gudza, Kyle Scharbrough, and Bradley Lightbourne, accounted for 50% of the minutes played and 48% of scoring last season. Along with these newcomers, the Cardinals will welcome back 11 letter winners, including All-GLVC and All-Region performer Justice Sutton. 

Devin Conley
6'1 • Guard 
Kansas City, Mo. (Pembroke Hill School/Emporia State)

Conley spent three years at Emporia State (one redshirt season), appearing in 56 games for the Hornets, averaging 4.2 points, handing out 51 assists and swiping 23 steals. At The Pembroke School, he was a member of the 1,000 point club and named Class 5 All-State twice. A business administration major, he has two brothers, including a twin Darin who plays football for the University of Washington while older brother Quinton plays for the Kansas Jayhawks. 

"Devin is someone we evaluated in high school and have played against the last few years, while always keeping him on the radar should the opportunity arise to re-engage. He knows his strengths and plays to them, which allow others to play to theirs. He is relentless and his experience is important as we fill lost minutes to graduation." - Chris McCabe

CJ Duson
5'11 • Guard 
Leawood, Kan. (Blue Valley North HS)

The first of four rookies, Duson will come across the state line from Blue Valley North where he was a First Team All-Conference performer while leading his team to a league and Sub-State Championship. Off the court, he was named Academic All-State and was a four-year member of the honor roll. The son of Robert and Kawaini Duson, he plans to major business administration. 

"CJ and his family were patient throughout the recruiting process, which lasted over a year. He has played highly competitive high school and AAU basketball and was coached by two people who I've known for many years. CJ is hungry to prove himself and is the type of player who will make in impact in our program." - Chris McCabe

Jack Huyser
6'5 • Guard 
Kansas City, Mo. (Liberty North HS/Link Prep)

About as local as they come, Huyser is the next in a line of talented Liberty School District products to bring their game to The Hill under Chris McCabe, joining Robbie Hanson (Liberty North), Macaleb Hughes (Liberty North), Grant Stubbs (Liberty), and rising redshirt sophomore Adam Fuller (Liberty). Last winter, Huyser spent time at Link Prep Academy following a stand out career at nearby Liberty North High School. During his career he was a three-time All-Conference performer, averaging better than 14 points and five rebounds while shooting 38% from long range as a senior under Ryan Rippee. In his final season at North he was named the MVP of the Eagles home tournament as well as a member of the All-Tournament Team at the William Jewell High School Holiday Classic. 

"If at first you don't succeed, keep trying. We are thrilled during our second recruitment of Jack he decided to come to us after a year at Link Prep. His length and developing skill translates to our league and and thrilled to have another kid from our backyard who wants to be a Cardinal." - Chris McCabe

Brandon Moore
6'4 • Guard 
Kansas City, Mo. (Kansas City Central HS/Southwest Baptist)

Moore is another Division II transfer set to come home after two years away at Southwest Baptist University. With the Bearcats he appeared in 41 games, averaging more than 23 minutes per outing and shooting 47% from the floor. As a sophomore, he accounted for 9.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game. As a prep player at Kansas City Central, he was twice named the MBCA District Player of the Year while also earning All-Conference and All-State honors, and scoring more than 1,000 career points. He is a psychological sciences major.

"We recruited Brandon out of high school and were devastated to not get him, so you could imagine the elation to have him return to us. The best compliment we can give is that we hated playing against him. We are counting on him to make an immediate impact after losing key contributors from our GLVC Championship team." - Chris McCabe

Aidan O'Haire
6'4 • Guard 
O'Fallon, Mo. (Francis Howell HS)

The lone rookie from the east side of the state, O'Haire comes the Cardinals after a decorated career at Francis Howell High School where he was twice named All-Conference, All-District, and to the Don Maurer All-Tournament Team. He led the Vikings to two conference championships and a district title while averaging 12 points and eight rebounds per contest. Off the court, he was a member of National Honor Society and graduated magna cum laude. The son of Adam and Christy O'Haire, he plans to major in business administration. 

"Aidan made an immediate impact at our Elite Camp and adds to the list of guys who earned a scholarship by attending. His explosiveness and competitiveness are immediate value adds." - Chris McCabe

Christian Rohde
6'8 • Center 
Chicago, Ill. (Crystal Lake South HS/McHenry County College)

Rohde brings an inside presence to the Cardinals after appearing in 27 games at Viterbo University before making his way to McHenry County College. As a sophomore for the Scots, he started 28 games, averaging better than eight points and seven rebounds per night, shooting 69.5% from the floor and blocking 80 shots (2.8/game). At Crystal Lake South High School (Ill.) he was a two-time Regional Champion and set the school record for blocks in a season while earning All-Conference honors and leading the Gators to a conference and sectional title. He will major in business administration. 

"We targeted a specific skill and play style and Christian was atop that list for months. His college level production speaks for itself and he will help us close our rebounding deficit that was a problem last year." - Chris McCabe

Hudson Weikal
6'3 • Guard 
Overland Park, Kan. (Olathe East HS)

Another local product, Weikal joins Jewell after averaging 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists for Olathe East High School, earning All-State honors for the Hawks. He was also named All-Conference and off the court was a member of the National Honor Society and an Academic All-State performer. The son of Grant and Joey Weikal, he plans to major in business sports management. 

"Hudson played in one of the most competitive leagues in the state of Kansas and comes highly recommended from numerous people we trust. He will continue to develop in our system and there's no doubt he cares about winning and is a respected teammate." - Chris McCabe

The Cardinals will open the 2026-2027 season on Monday, November 9 at Northwest Missouri State with the home opener taking place on November 18 against Fort Hays. The 2027 GLVC Tournament will take place March 4-7 in St. Joseph, Mo.