POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State Men's Basketball Head Coach Ryan Looney announces the program's first six additions of the offseason, marking the beginning of a significant roster rebuild ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Following the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign, Idaho State undergoes major roster turnover, with 12 of its 15 players departing, including six due to graduation and six via the transfer portal. The Bengals return three players in Quin Patterson, Landen Birley, and Trey Arland, who redshirted last season.
The turnover is reflected in the numbers, as Idaho State returns just 1.7 percent of its scoring, 1.6 percent of its rebounding, and 1.3 percent of its assists from last season. In an era defined by constant movement across the transfer portal, the Bengals' coaching staff has fully embraced the challenge of rebuilding a roster from the ground up.
Idaho State's approach blends transfer portal additions, high school recruiting, and international evaluation, with a clear emphasis on length, versatility, and defensive identity. The six-player class represents the first wave of that rebuild, bringing together a mix of proven production, high-upside youth, and diverse playing backgrounds.
Nathan Amoran
Guard | 6-3
Freshman
Södertälje, Sweden | Södertälje BBK
Nathan Amoran joins the Bengals from Sweden, where he competed for Södertälje BBK in the Basketligan, the top professional league in the country. During the 2025-26 season, he appeared in 29 games with 28 starts, averaging 6.6 points and 3.1 rebounds in 18.0 minutes per game while shooting 40.4 percent from the field and 74.2 percent from the free throw line.
Amoran added 0.8 assists and 0.7 steals per game while knocking down 0.6 three-pointers per contest. He gained valuable experience competing against professional-level competition at a young age, bringing physicality and defensive presence to the Bengals' backcourt.
He also played for the same club that former Bengal and current overseas pro, Jake O'Neil, began his pro career with, reinforcing Idaho State's growing international pipeline.
"Nathan Amoran is a big and physical guard with great experience," Looney said. "He will be a fantastic defender in our program. We thought we needed to improve defensively. Nathan will help us that."
Kenyon DeMuynck
Forward | 6-9
Sophomore
Oakland, California | City College of San Francisco
Kenyon DeMuynck transfers to Idaho State following a breakout freshman season at the junior college level that established him as one of the top defensive players in the state. He earned North Coast Conference Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Co-MVP honors, becoming the first player in conference history to sweep all three major awards.
DeMuynck appeared in 32 games with 28 starts, averaging 12.5 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 48.1 percent from the field. He totaled 400 points, 161 rebounds, and 121 blocks, leading the state in blocks at over 3.7 per game.
His size, length, and rim protection provide an immediate defensive anchor for Idaho State's frontcourt.
"Kenyon DeMuynck is going to be a really good Bengal," Looney said. "He has great size, length, and athleticism. Kenyon is an impressive defensive player. He can guard multiple positions and is an exceptional shot blocker."
Eli Garner
Guard | 6-6
Freshman
Los Angeles, California | Damien High School
Eli Garner arrives following one of the most accomplished high school seasons in California, earning San Gabriel Valley Player of the Year, Baseline League MVP, and CIF Southern Section Open Division First Team honors.
Garner led Damien to a CIF State Division I championship, going up against Folsom High School who was led by Garner's future Bengal teammate, Joven Dulay, recording 15 points and 13 rebounds in the title game. He averaged 18.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game as a senior while serving as both the team's primary scorer and top defensive presence. A four-year varsity starter, he finished his career as the third-leading scorer in school history. The Damien High School grad joins a fellow Damien alum, as Bengals' assistant coach, CJ Edwards, also played at DHS in his high school career.
"Eli Garner had a fantastic high school career, winning a state championship in California this past season," Looney said. "Eli can do a little of everything. He can score, but we have been most impressed with his willingness to defend and rebound."
Malik Johnson
Forward | 6-10
Redshirt-Sophomore
Sacramento, California | Cal State Stanislaus
Malik Johnson joins the Bengals after appearing in 22 games during the 2025-26 season at Cal State Stanislaus, averaging 5.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in 14.9 minutes per game while shooting 48.0 percent from the field and totaling 21 blocks.
He redshirted during the 2024-25 season after a decorated high school career at Inderkum High School, where he earned All-District and All-Capital Valley Conference honors.
"Malik Johnson is a long and athletic forward that is a great addition to the roster," Looney said. "He is going to be fun to work with. Malik will flourish at ISU."
Malachi Johnson
Forward | 6-10
Sophomore
Sacramento, California | Cal State Stanislaus
Malachi Johnson joins Idaho State alongside his older brother, Malik, giving the Bengals a rare opportunity to add an established frontcourt pairing. He arrived following a standout freshman season in which he was named CCAA Freshman of the Year and earned All-Conference Second Team honors.
Johnson averaged 12.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, starting 27 of 28 contests while totaling 360 points and 205 rebounds.
"Malachi Johnson is a talented offensive player and versatile defender," Looney said. "He has great length and tools. Malachi is going to be a really good Bengal."
Bryce Lowenbach
Forward | 6-9
Freshman
Prineville, Oregon | Crook County High School
Bryce Lowenbach comes to Pocatello following a dominant senior season in Oregon, where he was named OSAA 5A Player of the Year and Intermountain Conference Player of the Year after leading Crook County to the state championship game.
He averaged 23.3 points, 14.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game, elevating his play to 25.0 points and 16.0 rebounds per game during the state tournament.
Lowenbach finished his high school career with 1,479 points and 1,001 rebounds.
"Bryce Lowenbach has a bright future ahead of him," Looney said. "He is extremely skilled offensively for a young big man. Bryce is an exceptional shooter and passer."
Building the 2026-27 Roster
With nearly all of its statistical production to replace, Idaho State's offseason represents a full-scale roster reconstruction. The coaching staff has attacked the modern recruiting landscape with urgency and precision, identifying talent across multiple levels to build a new foundation.
This class emphasizes length, defensive versatility, and positional flexibility, with four players standing 6-foot-9 or taller and multiple perimeter players capable of impacting the game on both ends of the floor.
With the addition of these six players, the Bengals roster for 2026-27 is now at 11 total players, as they join the returning three, Quin Patterson, Landen Birley, and Trey Arland, and the Bengals' two freshman from their Fall signing class, McKae Amundsen and Joven Dulay.
