ARLINGTON, Texas – The Utah Valley University men's basketball team has been selected to finish fifth in the 2024-25 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league office announced on Tuesday. The Wolverines, led by second-year head coach Todd Phillips, received 38 points in the poll voted on by the league's nine head coaches.

Utah Valley returns four players from last year's squad, including two starters in redshirt sophomore guard Tanner Toolson and junior forward Ethan Potter. Toolson averaged 9.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game last season, while Potter contributed 7.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per contest. Potter led the Wolverines over the final 12 games of the 2023-24 season, averaging 15.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
 
Redshirt sophomore guard Trevan Leonhardt and sophomore forward Osiris Grady also return to the team. Leonhardt averaged 2.1 points and 1.1 assists last season, while Grady posted 4.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.
 
The Wolverines also welcome 12 newcomers to the roster this season, including eight transfers and four freshmen.
 
Two-time defending WAC Tournament champion Grand Canyon was the unanimous pick to win the league, securing eight first-place votes and a total of 64 points. UT Arlington followed in second place with 49 points, while Seattle U, California Baptist, and Utah Valley rounded out the top five. Seattle U received the only other first-place vote.
 
Grand Canyon's Tyon Grant-Foster was named the WAC Preseason Player of the Year. Grant-Foster, who averaged 20.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game last season, headlines the 2024-25 Preseason All-WAC Team. He is joined by California Baptist's Dominique Daniels Jr., Grand Canyon's Ray Harrison, Seattle U's John Christofilis, and Tarleton State's Freddy Hicks.
 
Utah Valley will tip off the season at the UCCU Center on Nov. 4 against Western Colorado. 
 
2024-25 WAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Grand Canyon (8) – 64
2. UT Arlington – 49
3. Seattle U (1) – 46
4. California Baptist – 45
5. Utah Valley – 38
6. Tarleton State – 30
7. Abilene Christian – 29
8. Utah Tech – 12
9. Southern Utah – 11