BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Delta State University men's basketball program has two players named to the Gulf South Conference Newcomers to Watch list as the Statesmen were picked tied for seventh in the Preseason Coaches' Poll released by the Conference this afternoon.
 
The Statesmen were tied for seventh with 37 points in a tie with conference rival Mississippi Christian University. West Alabama were preseason favorites with 99 points and nine first-place votes, UAH is in second with 92 points and two first-place votes.
 
Freshman forward Grant Guess, and junior forward Ahmed Ibrahim were the two Statesmen that were named to the Newcomers to Watch list.
 
Guess committed to Delta State late in 2025 during his senior season at Archbishop Alter in Dayton, Ohio where he averaged 11.1 points per game in his senior season. Guess earned Division IV/V All-State honorably mention and started for Team Ohio in the Ohio-Kentucky All-Star Game in April 2026.
 
Ibrahim joins the Statesmen roster after playing his sophomore season on the junior college level at Coahoma Community College. As a sophomore, the New York native led the Tigers in rebounding, averaging 7.6 rebounds per game and scoring 10 points per game. In high school, Ibrahim helped lead Eagle Academy II to a New York City league Championship under coach Kevin Hamilton in 2024.
 
The Statesmen kick off the 2026-27 season as they travel to Kirksville, Mo., on Monday, November 9^th to take on the Bulldogs from Truman State University. That game will tip-off at 7:00 p.m. (CT).