Returning Trio Helps Set Tone For Men's Basketball
10/7/2026 9:45:00 AM | Men's Basketball
CONWAY, S.C. – DaJohn Craig, Derrick Green and Tristan Thompson returned to Coastal Carolina for different reasons.
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Craig wanted to build on last season's success. Green felt there was unfinished business after the Sun Belt Conference tournament. For Thompson, Coastal felt like home.
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"They just treat me like family," Thompson said. "We had a good year last year. Looking forward to having a better year this year."
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Coastal won 19 games and tied for second in the Sun Belt last season. Now, the Chanticleers' only three returning players are helping their new teammates learn what head coach Justin Gray expects.
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"They're in the front of the line. They're picking guys up. They're talking," Gray said. "I call it GBT, good basketball talk."
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Getting to know their teammates started away from the court. Green recalled knocking on doors when players arrived on campus and spending time talking about where they came from.
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Thompson said summer pickup games helped players learn one another's games and build trust.
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"We hang out with each other all the time now," Thompson said. "We just became a family, all one unit."
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In practice, the three have helped explain drills, show teammates where to be and keep the energy up.
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Thompson has become more vocal after playing alongside older teammates as a freshman. Green said Gray has asked him to take on more leadership responsibility.
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"So he just told me to be a leader and impact the team and just impact winning," Green said.
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Craig also expects a larger role this season, both with the ball in his hands and as a leader. Knowing Gray and his system was one reason he wanted to return.
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"He's a players' coach. He knows how we think. We know how he thinks," Craig said.
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That understanding gives the returnees a chance to help Gray hold their new teammates accountable.
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"They've been through it a little bit," Gray said. "So we're counting on them to do that."
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Last season taught the three how difficult winning can be. Now, they're helping their new teammates understand what it takes.
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"It takes a lot of hard work to win," Craig said. "It's not easy to win."
Season and single-game tickets for the 2026-27 men's basketball season are on sale through the Chanticleer Athletics Ticket Office. Fans can purchase tickets online at GoCCUSports.com/tickets or by calling 843-347-TIXX (8499).
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Craig wanted to build on last season's success. Green felt there was unfinished business after the Sun Belt Conference tournament. For Thompson, Coastal felt like home.
Â
"They just treat me like family," Thompson said. "We had a good year last year. Looking forward to having a better year this year."
Â
Coastal won 19 games and tied for second in the Sun Belt last season. Now, the Chanticleers' only three returning players are helping their new teammates learn what head coach Justin Gray expects.
Â
"They're in the front of the line. They're picking guys up. They're talking," Gray said. "I call it GBT, good basketball talk."
Â
Getting to know their teammates started away from the court. Green recalled knocking on doors when players arrived on campus and spending time talking about where they came from.
Â
Thompson said summer pickup games helped players learn one another's games and build trust.
Â
"We hang out with each other all the time now," Thompson said. "We just became a family, all one unit."
Â
In practice, the three have helped explain drills, show teammates where to be and keep the energy up.
Â
Thompson has become more vocal after playing alongside older teammates as a freshman. Green said Gray has asked him to take on more leadership responsibility.
Â
"So he just told me to be a leader and impact the team and just impact winning," Green said.
Â
Craig also expects a larger role this season, both with the ball in his hands and as a leader. Knowing Gray and his system was one reason he wanted to return.
Â
"He's a players' coach. He knows how we think. We know how he thinks," Craig said.
Â
That understanding gives the returnees a chance to help Gray hold their new teammates accountable.
Â
"They've been through it a little bit," Gray said. "So we're counting on them to do that."
Â
Last season taught the three how difficult winning can be. Now, they're helping their new teammates understand what it takes.
Â
"It takes a lot of hard work to win," Craig said. "It's not easy to win."
Season and single-game tickets for the 2026-27 men's basketball season are on sale through the Chanticleer Athletics Ticket Office. Fans can purchase tickets online at GoCCUSports.com/tickets or by calling 843-347-TIXX (8499).
Players Mentioned
Friday, March 06
Thursday, March 05
Thursday, January 29
Thursday, December 11
