LA JOLLA, Calif. – UC San Diego men's basketball head coach Clint Allard has announced the addition of six newcomers who will join the Tritons' roster for the 2026-27 season: five transfers and one first-year scholar-athlete.
Rahmir Barno (Florida Gulf Coast),
Kayde Dotson (Loyola Chicago),
Jordan Johnson (Calhoun CC Ala.),
Olavi Suutela (Oregon State), and
Camp Wagner (Indiana State) will transfer to UC San Diego.
Jake Holmes (Christchurch, New Zealand) will join the roster as a freshman.
"Our coaching staff did an outstanding job identifying and recruiting this group," said UC San Diego head coach
Clint Allard '08. "They worked tirelessly to find young men who fit UC San Diego both on and off the court. This is a very balanced class with players who complement one another and embody what it means to be a Triton. They are exceptional competitors, high-character people, and we're excited to welcome them to our program."
Here are the newcomers to the Tritons roster:
RAHMIR BARNO
6-0 Guard, Sr.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Imhotep Institute Charter HS
Florida Gulf Coast University
At FGCU: Registered the second most assists and assists per game in the ASUN conference as a junior … His 169 total assists ranked 38th nationally and his 5.0 assists per game were 59th at the end of the regular season … Had three point-assist double-doubles … Added 11.5 points per game and 21 double-digit games … Averaged 31.5 minutes per game … Played over 35 minutes 11 times … His 2.5 assist/turnover ratio was third in the ASUN … Also contributed 2.8 rebounds per game … Named to the ASUN All-Freshman Team.
High School: Attended Imhotep Institute Charter HS … Ranked fifth in the state by ESPN.com … All-State junior and senior year … City of Palms Tournament MVP.
Allard on Barno: ""Rahmir's speed allows him to push the tempo and consistently get into the paint. He's an unselfish playmaker who makes everyone around him better. He brings a different dynamic to our group that I'm excited about."
KAYDE DOTSON
6-1 Guard, Jr.
Beaumont, Texas
Beaumont United HS
Loyola University Chicago
At Loyola: Made 21 starts over 28 appearances for Loyola ... Averaged 10.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.5, and 0.1 blocks per game ... Shot 39.7 percent from the field, a team-leading, 38.0 percent from three, and 77.0 percent from the line ... Had 15 double-digit scoring performances, including a seven-game streak of 10 or more in-season and a four-game streak to end the year ... Dropped a career-high 26 points vs. Santa Clara (Dec. 20) on 7-17 from the field with five threes and 7-8 at the line ... Closed the year on an eight-game stretch with at least one three made ... Had a season-high five made threes two times - vs. Santa Clara (Dec. 20) and at Saint Louis (March 4) ... Grabbed a season-best six rebounds vs. Princeton (Dec. 6) ... Dished out a season-high five assists vs. George Washington (March 7) ... Recorded a season-best three steals in the home opener vs. Cleveland State (Nov. 3).
Prior to Loyola: Played freshman season at New Mexico … Ranked the No. 30 combo-guard nationally and No. 13 player in Texas by 247Sports ... Led Beaumont United to the 2021 and 2022 Texas 5A state championships and a 2023 runner-up finish.
Allard on Dotson: "Kayde is a scoring guard who brings physicality and elite shooting. He has the ability to stretch the floor while playing with toughness on both ends. Kayde believed in what we are building right away, and I'm excited to get him back to campus."
JAKE HOLMES
6-8 Forward, Fr.
Christchurch, New Zealand
Rangiora HS
Prep: Played for Canterbury Rams (New Zealand NBL) ... 2024 U18 Nationals All-Tournament Team ... 2024 Steven Adams Invitational Selection ... 2024 U23 Club Competition First Team ... Averaged 21 points, 11 rebounds 4.6 assists, 1.6 steals per game in 2025 ... Shot 60% FG and 38% 3FG.
Allard on Holmes: "Jake is a versatile, high-motor player who can defend multiple positions. His competitiveness and willingness to do the little things will make him a great addition to our program. He's a very mature player for an incoming freshman"
JORDAN JOHNSON
6-3 Guard, Jr.
Decatur, Ala.
Austin HS
Calhoun CC (Ala.)
At Calhoun Community College (Ala.): 2025-26 NJCAA All-American Honorable Mention ... 2025-26 ACCC/NJCAA Region 22 Player of the Year ... Averaged 17 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.6 points per game over 31 games played ... Scored 20+ points 13 times ... Was a 79% free throw shooter ... Posted an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.2 ... Started all 31 games, averaging more than 30 minutes per game.
Prior Experience: Averaged 9.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game at Georgia Highlands College ... Shot 49% overall and 33.8% from three-point range ... Played in 30 games, making 18 starts ... Netted a 1.8 assist-turnover ratio ... Scored in double figures on 17 occasions.
Allard on Johnson: "Jordan is a strong, physical guard who impacts every part of the game. He can shoot, pass, drive, and rebound at a high level."
OLAVI SUUTELA
6-10 Forward, Soph.
Helsinki, Finland
Oregon State University
At Oregon State: Appeared in 33 games, making 18 starts ... Averaged 5.5 points and 2.7 rebounds per game ... Shot 57.8 percent from the floor ... Scored 14 points on 4-for-7 shooting vs. San Diego (2/25) ... Recorded his first career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds vs. Pepperdine (2/21) ... Scored 10 points vs. Washington State (2/4) ... Scored 19 points, going 8-for-9 from the floor and 3-for-4 from beyond the arc at Portland (1/10).
Prior Experience: Has played for the Finland National Team at multiple youth levels ... Started all seven games for Finland at the 2025 FIBA U20 EuroBasket ... Scored 16 points vs. Germany in the EuroBasket ... Has been called into training camp with the full Finland national team ... Averaged 14.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game at the 2023 FIBA U18 Championship ... Played club basketball for the Helsinki Basketball Academy.
Allard on Suutela: "Olavi is a high-IQ forward who has been coached well. His ability to play inside and outside, and his international experience makes him an excellent fit for the way we play."
CAMP WAGNER
6-6 Wing, Sr.
Dallas, Texas
Link Prep Academy (Mo.)
Indiana State State University
At Indiana State: Played in all 32 games last season with 26 starts ... Led team in total threes (81) going 81-for-236 (34.3%) ... Shot 37.5% from the field and 91.5% from the free throw line (43-47) ... Scored 11.9 points per game, second best on the team ... Averaged 4.4 rebounds per game and 1.88 assists per game with 25 steals and eight blocks … Played in 31 of 32 games as a sophomore, averaging 26.6 minutes per game ... Scored 311 points (third on the team) for an average of 10.0 per game ... Recorded 89 rebounds, 26 assists, 15 steals, and 8 blocks ... Shot 37.8% from the field, 38.2% from three, and 84.4% from the line ... Made 83 threes, the most on the team ... Scored 31 points in a game at Belmont.
High School: Played senior season at Link Year Prep (Mo.) and averaged 16.3 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, 3.2 assists per game, and 2.1 steals per game.
Allard on Wagner: "Camp is a high-level shooter that will help us play with great spacing. He has great versatility and basketball IQ. He understands how to play and fits our style extremely well."
The group of newcomers will join a successful core built upon ten returning players. Last season, the Tritons won 23 games under first year head coach Clint Allard, the second-most in the program's Division I era. UC San Diego was second in The Big West in scoring defense and assist-turnover ratio and third in scoring margin.
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 24-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 39 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 93 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in NCAA Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.
