HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University men's basketball team added three new members, reuniting a pair of former teammates, as head coach David Kiefer announced the signings of Isaiah Gaines, Ethan Pickett, and Makhi Myles on Friday.
 
All three are transfers with Division I experience. Gaines and Pickett are both graduate transfers from Pensacola, Fla. who spent their freshman year together at Northwest Mississippi Community College before heading their separate ways at the end of the 2021-22 season. Myles is a Starkville, Miss. native entering his sophomore season.
 
"There three guys bring us immediate athleticism and versatility within our program," said Kiefer. "I'm excited about their futures as Lions."
 
After averaging 13.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, two assists, and 1.6 blocks per game with the NWCC Rangers, Gaines, a forward from Pensacola High School, spent his next two seasons at Florida Atlantic, playing 37 games with a start for the Owls which advanced to the Final Four during his time in Boca Raton, before finishing his undergrad at Radford. In his senior season with the Highlanders, he started 20 of the 24 games he appeared in and hit 44.2 percent from the field in 2024-25, scoring four points and grabbing four rebounds a game with an assist and a block per game.
 
"Isaiah was part of a historic Final Four season at FAU, and last year was a starter at Radford which has a very good basketball program," continued Kiefer. "He is a long forward who knows how to win. Isaiah can defend multiple positions, protects the rim, is a terrific rebounder, and an underrated passer. He is a key signing for us."
 
Pickett, a guard from Cherokee High School, averaged 11.4 points and 5.2 rebounds a game in his one season as a Ranger with Gaines. He transferred to Triton College for his second season of junior college ball before moving up to the four-year level and playing his next two seasons at the University of Illinois-Chicago. While with the Flames, he appeared in 63 games with 33 starts and hit 50.6 percent from the field over two seasons. He ended his 2024-25 season with an 11-point, six-rebound performance in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament contest against Valparaiso.
 
"We are really excited about adding Ethan to our roster," said Kiefer. "Ethan can play multiple positions offensively and defensively. He's a long, athletic guard who has started a lot of games in the Missouri Valley the last two years. I look forward to having his experience, leadership, and versatility on the court."
 
Myles, a combo guard/forward from Starkville High School, comes over from Alabama-Birmingham where he appeared in 11 games for the Blazers a season ago. He scored his first collegiate points against Tulane. Coming out of high school, he was named the number two recruit in the state of Mississippi by 247sports and earned the title of Mississippi's Mr. Basketball for class 6A after averaging 20 points, five rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and two steals a game as a senior. He went on to spend a post-graduate season at Sunrise Christian Academy where he averaged 14.5 points and seven rebounds a game before heading to UAB.
 
"Makhi has an incredibly high ceiling," said Kiefer. "He has just one year at Division I, but I believe he can make an impact to our team right away. He's 6-7 with a 6-11 wingspan, has huge hands, and can really shoot the basketball. He, like Isaiah and Ethan, is a versatile player who can play and defend multiple positions."
 
Gaines, Pickett, and Myles become the second, third, and fourth members of the SLU recruiting class for this upcoming season, joining Garrett Shoemaker, who signed with the Lions during the early signing period back in November.
 
The Lions kick off their 2025-26 season in early November.
 
HARDWOOD CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the basketball program are encouraged to join the Hardwood Club.  Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letterwinners.  All membership fees and donations to Hardwood Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern basketball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Basketball, follow @LionUpMBB and @DavidKieferSLU on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern is implementing mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.