BEAUMONT, Texas – First-year Lamar University head coach Jordan Fee has bolstered the Cardinals' 2026-27 roster with the addition of seven transfers. Mike Collins (6-1, 170, G, Pearland, Texas), Dominic Eason (6-7, 200, F, Lyons, Ga.), Lamont Hartfield (6-6, 206, G, Dallas, Texas), Caden Hinker (6-7, 210, F, Mitchell, S.D.), Jeremiah Jones (6-3, 190, G, Holland, Ill.), Matt Reed (6-10, 230, F, Carrollton, Texas) and M.J. Wardlow (6-2, 175, G, Bowling Green, Ky.) will continue their education and play basketball for the Cardinals.
 
"I'm incredibly proud of our staff for the work they've done in putting together this first wave of tremendous student-athletes," said Fee. "From the very beginning, we made it a priority not to compromise on character, and I truly believe we've brought in the right kind of young men – players who are just as talented as they are high-character. This group brings competitiveness, toughness and a genuine passion for the game, and we're excited about what they can become together. We'll continue adding the right pieces to the mix, but there's a lot of excitement and momentum surrounding the future because of this group!"
 
The incoming class consists of the four guards and three forwards, with two coming from the junior college ranks, two NCAA Division I transfers and three NCAA Division II standouts. It also stretches beyond the Lone Star State with three Texans and one player from Georgia, Kentucky, Illinois and South Dakota.
 
The class also brings added size and significant scoring punch to the lineup to go along with strong rebounding and one of NCAA Division II's leaders in steals. The four guards in the class average 6-3, 192 pounds, while all three forwards come in standing at least 6-7 with one at 6-10 (Reed). The newest additions to Cardinals' roster will bring a combined 14 years of collegiate playing experience to the Golden Triangle.
 
Four of the seven transfers are double-figure scorers, while Jones (9.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game) is considered a lockdown defender. Jones set the Washburn single-season steals record and moved into 17^th place all-time in steals after just one season. He ended the with 103 steals which led all of NCAA Division II basketball. The class also consists of three players who were three-star recruits coming out of high school, a former state player of the year and a junior college national champion.
   
Michael Collins – 6-1 – 195 – G – Pearland, Texas/Shadow Creek HS (UL Lafayette)
UL Lafayette: Played in 31 games making two starts for the Ragin' Cajuns … Scored 42 points and pulled down 23 rebounds during his rookie season.  
High School: A three-star prospect according to 247Sports.com … Also rated as the No. 40 combo guard in the country according to 247Sports.
Coach Fee on Michael Collins: "We're excited to add Mike Collins to our program. Mike is a versatile playmaking guard with great feel for the game, the ability to impact winning in multiple ways, and a competitive edge that stands out every time he steps on the floor. Mike was a highly touted three-star prospect out of Shadow Creek HS and we're so excited to bring him home to Texas."
 
Dominic Eason – 6-7 – 200 – F – Lyons, Ga./Toombs County HS (USC Beaufort)
USCB: Two-year letterwinner … Played in 59 games making 59 starts for the Sand Sharks … Scored 686 points (11.6 ppg), pulled down 258 rebounds (4.4 rpg), dished out 60 assists (1.0 apg), recorded 36 steals and blocked 56 shots (0.9 bpg) during his two seasons at USCB … A second-team all-conference selection who also knocked down 88 three-pointers during his career.
High School: Named Georgia Class 2A South State Player of the Year … Graduated as the Toombs County boys' basketball all-time leading scorer … Averaged nearly 16 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
Coach Fee on Dominic Eason: "Dom Eason is a tremendous addition to our program. He is an athletic, dynamic wing who brings toughness, versatility, and tremendous upside to our roster. Dom's ability to impact the game on both sides of the floor makes him a complete player and will bring us tremendous value."
Lamont Hartfield – 6-6 – 206 – G – Dallas, Texas/Oak Cliff Faith Academy (Fla. Southwestern)
Florida Southwestern: Spent his freshman season at Florida Southwestern where he played in 27 games making 12 starts … Averaged better than 12 points per game while pulling down 4.0 rebounds … Shot better than 45 percent from the field, better than 36 percent from three-point range and nearly 80 percent from the free throw line … A key cog in a Buccaneer's squad that posted a 23-7 record on its way to a co-conference championship … Program climbed has high as 21^st in the top 25 poll.
High School: A three-star prospect coming out of high school … Averaged a double-double as a senior scoring 10 points and pulling down 12 rebounds per game … Led prep squad to three state titles.
Coach Fee on Lamont Hartfield: "We're excited to welcome Lamont Hartfield back to the great state of Texas. He is a crafty lefty, scoring wing with versatility to create for himself and others. Lamont's shot-making, spacing ability and competitive drive will provide instant offensive lift and make our lineup more dynamic. Lamont is an everyday guy and we're thrilled to have him join the program."
 
Caden Hinker – 6-7 – 210 – F – Mitchell, S.D./Mitchell HS (Augustana)
Augustana: A three-year letterwinner … Has played in 86 games making 40 starts during his career … Started all 27 games as a junior where he averaged 15.4 points, 6.4 rebounds 1.3 assists per game to earn First-Team All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference honors … Scored 773 points (9.0 ppg), pulled down 409 rebounds (4.8 rpg) and dished out 87 assists (1.0 apg) during his three seasons with the Vikings.
High School: A two-time first-team all-state selection … Three-time All-ESD selection … Finished prep career sixth all-time in the state of South Dakota in scoring … Averaged 22.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game as a senior.
Coach Fee on Caden Hinker: "Caden Hinker is a winner in every sense – a versatile forward who can really stretch the floor, has high basketball IQ and can impact the game in countless ways. We're honored that Caden chose Lamar for his last year of eligibility after spending a lifetime of winning in South Dakota. Go Cards!"
 
Jeremiah Jones – 6-3 – 190 – G – South Holland, Ill./Marian Catholic HS (Washburn)
Prior to LU: Played in 33 games making 32 starts during his lone season at Washburn … Averaged 9.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.1 steals per game during his time with the Ichabods …  His 103 thefts set a new school single-season record and ranked 17^th on the Washburn career steals list and led all of NCAA Division II … Prior to transferring to Washburn he spent two seasons at Mary where he led the team in scoring (11.9 ppg) as a sophomore and recorded 85 steals moving onto the school's all-time top-five.
High School: Garnered first-team All-ESCC honors as a junior and a senior … Closed his high school career by being named ESCC Player of the Year and garnering first-team all-state honors.
Coach Fee on Jeremiah Jones: "We're thrilled to welcome Jeremiah Jones – one of the nation's premier defenders whose instincts, toughness and relentless work ethic make him an immediate impact player. Jeremiah is the kind of competitor who elevates everyone around him and consistently finds ways to win. We couldn't be more excited to have him join our program."
 
Matt Reed – 6-10 – 230 – F – Carrollton, Texas/ISchool Academy (Iona)
Prior to LU: Spent two seasons at Tulsa before transferring to Iona … Played in 58 games making 11 starts for the Golden Hurricane … Scored 235 points (4.1 ppg), pulled down 196 rebounds (3.4 rpg) in his two seasons in Tulsa to go along with 23 assists, 10 blocks and five steals … Recorded one double-double as a member of the Golden Hurricane … Played in 17 games for the Gaels, scoring 28 points and pulling down 23 rebounds.
High School: Ranked as the No. 35 center nationally by ESPN and No. 25 overall player in the state of Texas … A three-star recruit according to MaxPreps, ESPN and Rivals … Considered the No. 15 player in the state (247Sports) and the No. 23 center nationally (ESPN) … A three-year starter at ISchool Entrepreneurial Academy … Averaged 12.4 points, 7.1 rebounds during his time at ISchool … Scored a season-high 34 points and pulled down 14 rebounds against Tennessee Prepatory College … Had 17 double-figure scoring games during his senior year.
Coach Fee on Matt Reed: "We're excited to add Matt Reed to our program and bring him home to Texas. Matt is a former all-freshman team honoree in the American Athletic Conference and brings extensive Division I experience to our group. He gives us a strong presence inside, has great touch and scoring ability, and a tremendous basketball IQ."
 
M.J. Wardlow – 6-2 – 175 – G – Bowling Green, Ky./Bowling Green HS (Trinity Valley CC)
Prior to LU: A First-Team All-Region XIV selection as a sophomore … Played in and started 32 games in 2025-26 … Averaged 12.0 points (16.1 per 40 minutes) and pulled down 4.0 rebounds per game … Also dished out 3.6 assists and recorded 1.4 steals as a sophomore … For his JUCO career, he played in 73 games making 38 starts, averaging 10.3 points per game (751 total points) and shot nearly 40 percent from three-point range while knocking down 77 triples.
Coach Fee on M.J. Wardlow: "We're excited to add M.J. Wardlow from Trinity Valley CC to our roster. A national champion with championship poise and elite instincts, M.J. brings toughness, leadership and a winning pedigree. He's a proven difference-maker and we're thrilled to have him join the program."