It ended with a coaching change, with former NBA assistant Alex Jensen taking over. The entire roster was overhauled, including 10 incoming transfers. Among the most notable were Terrence Brown, who averaged 20 ppg at Fairleigh Dickinson, along with Don McHenry, who produced 17 ppg at Western Kentucky.
But McHenry wasn’t the only Hilltopper who joined the Utes this offseason, as Babacar Faye also transferred to Utah. The 6’8 forward from Senegal spent two years at College of Charleston before leaving for Western Kentucky. Last year was a breakout campaign for Faye early on, producing 15.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in 10 games on 54% shooting from the field.
That included a 28-point outing against Wichita State, along with 16 points in a loss to Kentucky. However, a knee injury ended his year early, though Faye was able to get a redshirt. This time around, Utah won’t have him around for the entire season, with the senior reportedly suffering a leg injury.
Runnin' Utes lose Babacar Faye, the 6-9 fifth-year transfer from Senegal by wya of Western Kentucky/College of Charleston, to season-ending leg injury.
— Sean Walker (@ActuallyDSW) September 22, 2025
Faye started the first 10 games for the Hilltoppers last year, averaging 15.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg with 7 blocks before Dec. 14 injury. https://t.co/rooR8gE5Zm
For a rebuilding program looking to move up the Big 12 ladder, this is a rough development for Utah Basketball. The good news is that there’s still frontcourt depth to compete. Returning forward Keanu Dawes (8.3 ppg and 6.4 rpg) is set to have a significant impact, joined by JUCO transfer Josh Hawes and James Okonkwo, a transfer center from Akron. There’s also Seydou Traore (Iowa) and Jahki Howard (Auburn), two small forwards who can take minutes at the four-spot if they can crack the rotation.
With so many new faces, both on the perimeter and in the frontcourt, Utah Basketball has a ton of questions entering the 2025-26 season. Faye was supposed to be one of those who could positively answer them. It’s the first loss for the Utes and one they couldn’t really afford.
The Utes start exhibition play on Octoner 17 against the Wolf Pack of Nevada. After a tilt against Oregon on October 24, Utah will open the season at the Jon M. Hunstman Center on November 3rd against the San Jose Spartans.