New Era Begins for UTRGV Vaqueros Men’s Basketball
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros men’s basketball team has officially started a new chapter under the guidance of Coach Kahil Fennell. The team recently held their first practice of the summer at the UTRGV Fieldhouse, marking the beginning of an exciting new era for the program.
The Vaqueros men’s basketball team is gearing up for a fresh start under Coach Fennell.
The energy was palpable as the team took to the court, with Coach Fennell and his staff emphasizing the importance of effort, enthusiasm, and physicality. The Vaqueros brought a high level of intensity to their first practice, which bodes well for the upcoming season.
“I was really encouraged by the effort,” Fennell said. “The effort, the enthusiasm, the energy was fantastic. The physicality was on point. I thought the guys really competed, which is exactly what you want to see on the first day.”
Building a Strong Foundation
In the early stages of the summer, the Vaqueros have been focusing on learning Coach Fennell’s philosophies on offense, defense, rebounding, transition play, spacing, and communication. These fundamental aspects of the game will be crucial in the team’s pursuit of success this season.
Coach Fennell and his staff expect to see continuous improvement every time the Vaqueros step onto the court. “Our expectations are to just get better,” Fennell emphasized. “We have to improve every single day. We are afforded a certain amount of hours over the course of the summer and we have to maximize every single one of them.”
A Fresh Start with New Faces
The Vaqueros welcomed seven new players to the team this summer, including Cliff Davis (Northwestern State), Trey Miller (Southern Illinois), K.T. Raimey (DePaul), and DK Thorn (Alcorn State). These additions bring a wealth of Division I experience to the team, which will be invaluable in the coming season.
When combined with the five returning players – J.J. Howard, Howie Fleming Jr., Fadi Mougharbel, Hasan Abdul-Hakim, and Isaiah Barganier – the Vaqueros boast a strong core of leaders who will be instrumental in driving the team forward.
“For the first day, I thought guys really tried,” Fennell said. “I thought they made an effort to have a voice. To be heard and to lead to get us organized. We really try to encourage guys to be a player-led team and get each other organized.”
The Vaqueros are gearing up for a fresh start under Coach Fennell.
The atmosphere around the Fieldhouse is electric, with a sense of excitement and anticipation building as the team embarks on this new chapter. With a strong foundation in place, the Vaqueros are poised to make a significant impact in the coming season.
