Liam MacKenzie – Student Reporter
North Andover, MA – After another active offseason in the transfer portal, The Merrimack College Men’s Basketball program finalized their latest group of additions on May 20th, 2026 as head coach Joe Gallo has been cooking in the lab once again after losing the likes of Kevair Kennedy and Ernest Shelton. Known for developing tough, defensive-minded teams with energy and grit, Gallo attacked the portal this year with a vision that would bring in players who would fit the play style of this team along with the culture in North Andover, Massachusetts. The Warriors picked up five players through the portal to round out their 15-man roster, and there is plenty to break down.
First Commitment: Denver Anglin – The first commitment from the transfer portal is New Jersey native Denver Anglin, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound guard who arrives from Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference foe Iona University along with stops at Georgetown University and Rice University. Anglin is a guy that brings scoring experience along with elite three-point shooting which was the case in a game when he played the Warriors in a 61-60 victory at Iona where he scored a season high 22 points, and he brings veteran depth at the guard position as this was a need for Joe Gallo’s team after Malik Edmead and Andres Marrero graduated in the spring. Anglin initially announced his commitment on social media before the news was later reported by Federman on April 16th, 2026.
Second Commitment: Elijah Wilborn – The next guy on the list to commit to Merrimack out of the portal is Elijah Wilborn who comes from James Madison University which is where someone by the name of Devon Savage came from along with some stops at Duquesne and Saint Francis in Pennsylvania where he became an NEC All-Rookie. Wilborn is a 6-foot-8, 252-pound forward who brings much needed frontcourt size and rim protection to Merrimack, helping fill the void left by the departure of KC Ugwuakazi, who transferred to Robert Morris University through the portal. Wilborn reported the news on the social media platform X/Twitter on April 19th, 2026.
Third Commitment: Aram Soqui Urbano – The third portal commitment is Aram Soqui Urbano, a player whom Joe Gallo and his staff previously recruited during his high school career at Veritas Academy in Ontario, California, before he ultimately committed to Fresno State of the Mountain West Conference, according to reporter Mike McMahon of The Mack Report. The incoming sophomore, who stands at 6-foot-5, and 185 pounds, brings elite perimeter shooting and high-level scoring ability to Merrimack, addressing a major need following the departure of Ernest Shelton, who transferred to Boston College through the portal. Sam Federman reported the news on April 23rd, 2026 via X/Twitter.
Fourth Commitment: AJ Lesburt – Continuing their active offseason in the portal, Merrimack landed 6-foot-5, 197-pound guard AJ Lesburt from Brown University as its fourth transfer addition. Despite sitting out last season after undergoing surgery on his left foot, along with Ivy League rules preventing players from redshirting or using a fifth year of eligibility, Lesburt brings immediate perimeter depth, three-point shooting, and veteran experience to North Andover. College basketball reporter Jeff Goodman reported the news on May 12th, 2026, via X/Twitter.
Fifth and Final Commitment: Jeremiah Anderson – The Warriors finalized their transfer portal class with the addition of Jeremiah Anderson from Felician University, the reigning CACC Player of the Year, as Joe Gallo continued his trend of identifying hidden gems at the Division II level. The 6-foot-1, 180 pound point guard brings elite scoring, high-level playmaking, strong rebounding for his position, defensive intensity, and veteran leadership to the reigning MAAC championship runner-up. The commitment was later confirmed on May 20th, 2026 by Sam Federman via X/Twitter.
https://x.com/sam_federman/status/2057226205548491205?s=46&t=D1BndPX2_n14DAImj8C_sQ
Closing Thoughts – Overall, Merrimack Men’s Basketball addressed several key needs through the transfer portal by adding perimeter shooting, veteran experience, frontcourt size, scoring, and defensive versatility to the roster. Joe Gallo and his staff once again showed their ability to identify talent at multiple levels of college basketball, including impactful additions from both Division I and Division II programs. With a balanced mix of experience, shooting, and physicality, the Warriors have positioned themselves to once again contend for a spot in the MAAC Championship heading into the 2026-27 season.
