BURNSVILLE, MN – The Northern Sun has announced Jackson Ware as the 2026-27 NSIC Player to Watch for the University of Mary men's basketball team.
 
A senior from Northern Rivers, Australia, Ware is in his second season with the Marauders. The 6-9 forward anchored the UMary front court last season as he started 26 games and played in all 28.
 
"Jack put a lot of work into his body and his game this off season," said UMary Head Coach Darren Tighe. "I am extremely excited to see what he can do this year!"
 
Able to score inside and behind the arc, Ware averaged 6.9 points per game and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 45.8% from the floor and 37.9% on treys. He also connected on 72.7% of his free throw attempts. Ware posted a season-best 16 two times, including once against MSU Moorhead when he drained four 3-pointers. He also reached double-digits in rebounds twice.
 
The Marauders, who return seven players from last season and have added 11 newcomers, open their season against the University of St. Boniface on Monday, November 9.
 
"We have a nice balance of skill and size across the board," said Tighe, who is entering his season at UMary. "We are young but the guys are extremely coachable and have put a ton of work in this summer."
 
Andre Austin is the Marauders returning scorer. The sophomore guard from Bismarck, ND, averaged 7.2 points per game and led the team in assists with 63 while starting 15 games.
 
Tamarrein Henderson earned 27 starts last season and averaged 6.1 ppg. The junior guard scored a season-best 24 points against Winona State while hitting four treys.
 
Sophomores Parker Brodina and Tyrese Poku Mensah also earned multiple starts last year. Brodinab broke the opening huddle 11 times and Poku Mensah five.
 
Additionally Ryan Larson and Wyatt Westin return.
 
This season's squad features six international scholar-athletes, including three from Australia and one each from Israel, England and Mexico.
 
The 2026-27 NSIC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll projects Minnesota State University to win the league title, followed by St. Cloud State, Minnesota Duluth, Southwest Minnesota State, Concordia-St. Paul, Augustana and Winona State (tied for 6^th), MSU Moorhead, Bemidji State, Northern State, Sioux Falls, Wayne State, Jamestown, Minnesota Crookston and Minot State (tied for 14^th) and UMary.
 
UMD is projected to win the North Division, followed by MSUM, NSU, BSU, UJ, UMC and Minot State (tied for 6^th) and UMary. Minnesota State and SCSU are tied as preseason favorites in the South Division, ahead of SMSU, WSU, CSP, AU, USF and WSC.
 
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