OGDEN — Kaleb Canales knows his group of guards can fill it up, scoring-wise.

Sophomore returner ArDarius Grayson (18.8 points per game in his final two years of high school), and three newcomers in sophomore Aaron Powell (18.2 points per game as HS senior), freshman Sir Marius Jones (21 ppg in final two HS seasons), and freshman Max Russell (26 ppg as a HS senior) were go-to scorers as prep players in California.

Then, within the last week, WSU added two-time Utah player of the year in Gavin Lowe, a 25-points-per-game scorer as a senior.

But Canales is asking that group to set the tone in two ways that don’t involve putting the ball in the basket.

Maria Lysaker, Rice Athletics

“Defense, that’s going to start with them, picking up 94 feet, having a presence on the ball and challenging other teams that way,” Canales said. “And getting us into our offense. Playmaking and getting downhill is important.”

When talking about positions, Canales groups those four as his “guards,” which means while any might play off the ball, it’s the group he expects to have primary ball-handling duties.

“Combo guard is the word thrown around a lot, in terms of positional stuff, but I just look at them as playmakers — the ability to pass, catch and shoot,” Canales said. “And there will be a lot of pick and roll in our offense, so their ability to read defenses and dissect advantages will be a big part of their development.”

ARDARIUS GRAYSON

Grayson is the lone returner of the group, and one of just two returning players from the 2025-26 season.

In high school, Grayson finished his junior year at Oakland Tech by totaling 34 points, six rebounds and six assists in the state semifinal and 20 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in the final to win a state championship.

Photo supplied, EWU Athletics

The 6-foot guard played in 31 games as a true-freshman backup to leading scorer Tijan Saine Jr. last year at Weber State, averaging 3.8 points and 1.3 assists per game. He shot just 33% from the field and 24.4% from the 3-point line but showed he’s got the moxie to take the big shots when it counts. Grayson scored 14 points on 3-of-5 from distance, including a game-winning 3 with 3.9 seconds left, to beat Idaho State.

“Excited for him; he’s going to have a great opportunity to make a big impact this season,” Canales said. “He’s in the mix to have a bigger role than he had. Love the kid. Great opportunity to do a lot of good things and show what he’s about.”

AARON POWELL

Powell is a 6-foot-1 guard from Los Angeles who was once rated a four-star prospect. He spent two seasons at Rice; as a freshman, Powell played 6.4 minutes per game in a reserve role, scoring 2.4 points per game. He redshirted the 2025-26 season and has three years of eligibility remaining.

He was the first to commit to Canales this offseason. Between that, and being around the game every day for a long time — his father, Jasen, has been head athletic trainer for the Los Angeles Clippers for 27 years — Canales likes the mentality Powell has brought the team.

“Aaron’s got a good way about him, a good feel for the game. He knows what it looks like because he’s been around great players his whole life,” Canales said. “His level of understanding is really positive. He can score the ball and he’ll make plays for us. He can play both guard spots at a high level and his playmaking is going to be a big part of what we do. Been really impressed with him and the way he works.”

SIR MARIUS JONES

Jones gives the group a level of size and downhill pressure that Weber State hopes will shine in the Big Sky. At 6-foot-4, he signed with New Mexico but redshirted last season. Both Powell and Jones are players WSU recruited out of high school.

“He’s got a level of seriousness to his game. Redshirting last year and coming where he’s coming from, he just wants to get out there and hoop,” Canales said about Jones. “Highly skilled, can get downhill and score, get to the free-throw line. He’s a physical guard who will be exciting to watch, for sure.”

MAX RUSSELL

Though Weber State will be young, Russell and Lowe, so far, are the only true freshmen joining the team directly out of high school. (WSU has 14 players rostered and can add one more, if desired.)

Russell’s profile is similar to Grayson’s coming out of high school. Russell averaged 26 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.8 steals as a senior at Tracy High in the greater Stockton area, and totaled 25 points, 15 rebounds and four assists to give Tracy its first playoff victory in more than 20 years.

“Young Max, such a great kid. We’re excited that he’s here. He’s going to be right in the competition in terms of earning minutes,” Canales said. “There’s hurdles but those other guys, age-wise and class-wise, can help him grow. Even though those guys have not played, they’ve been through a college basketball season and there’s a lot to be said for that, just the grind of it.

“So I think Max is going to have some great mentors when it comes to navigating the early parts of his career here.”

GAVIN LOWE

Lowe committed to Weber State and spoke with the Standard-Examiner, saying his competitiveness and grit, both on and off the court, will be the strengths he brings to the Wildcats. The 5-foot-11 guard added 5.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 3.5 steals per game to his big scoring average.

Coaches can only speak about new players once they are officially signed; Lowe’s commitment came after the Standard-Examiner’s discussion with Canales about his first roster.