After learning of the news that commitment Hugo N’Guyen would not be joining the program, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga coaching staff acted quickly in finding a quality replacement in Australian point guard Kobe McDowell-White.
The 6-foot McDowell-White, who turned 22 on Feb. 9 and will have 2-3 years of eligibility, played for Cairns Marlins of the NBL1 North Conference and on Wednesday was named the NBL1 North Youth Player of the Year.
NBL1 is a developmental league in Australia.
(READ MORE: UTC men go local, national, international in roster flip for 2026-27)
In 16 games during the 2025-26 season, he averaged 15.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game for the Marlins who, ironically, also have Ky Stattman on the roster. Stattman had committed to play for the Mocs in 2023-24 but couldn’t come due to eligibility reasons.
The addition of McDowell-White — who chose UTC over offers from Bryant, California Baptist and Montana — finalizes the roster for this season, which features 11 new players, including three international freshmen, three domestic prep signees, two Division I transfers, two Division II transfers and a junior-college All-American in guard Matt Hampton.
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With the roster set, the team will focus on preparation for the upcoming season, which begins Nov. 2 at Louisville.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com.
