NEW ORLEANS – Robert Davis Jr. has been named the Sun Belt’s Preseason Player of the Year and a Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team selection while teammate Jordan Battle has earned a spot on the Preseason All-Sun Belt Third Team, as announced by the conference office on Monday afternoon.
A junior from Detroit, Michigan, Davis Jr. led the country last season with 348 three-point attempts. He ranked fifth nationally with 3.41 three-pointers per game and was eighth with 116 made threes, setting a new program record for threes made in a single season. The guard was also first in the Sun Belt with 35:37 minutes per game. He is ODU’s top returning scorer at 15.6 points per game and made 33 starts in 34 appearances in 2024-25. Blue Ribbon named him to its Sun Belt Preseason All-Conference Team and the league’s Preseason Player of the Year, while Lindy’s also tabbed him as the Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year and to its Preseason All-Conference First Team.
Battle returns home to Norfolk after spending last season at Coastal Carolina. He was the leading scorer for the Chanticleers with 12.8 ppg and led the league with 80.8% shooting at the free-throw line. He also shot 42.3% from the field and 42.7% from distance while making 30 starts in 31 appearances for CCU. His other season totals included 121 rebounds (3.9 rpg), 58 assists, and 12 steals.
The Monarchs were picked to finish fifth in the Preseason Coaches Poll, receiving two first-place votes and 145 points. James Madison was chosen as the favorite to win the Sun Belt with 175 points, Arkansas State came in second with 154 points, and South Alabama is third with 152 points. Troy is just ahead of ODU and in fourth place with 148 points.
ODU is coming off a 2024-25 campaign that saw the Monarchs finish 15-20 overall and 8-10 in conference play. The team entered the Sun Belt Championship as the No. 10 seed and proceeded to win three games in as many days as they defeated No. 11 seed Louisiana, No. 7 seed Texas State, and the No. 6 seed App State.
Old Dominion returns nine players from last season and has added seven newcomers. In addition to Battle, other transfers include guards KC Shaw (UMES) and LJ Thomas (Austin Peay), guard/forward Drew McKenna (Georgetown), and forward Jared Turner (Northeastern). ODU also has two true freshmen in guard Zacch Wiggins and forward Elijah Flowers.
The Monarchs will host Hampton for a 2 p.m. exhibition on Sunday, Oct. 26. ODU then opens its season at Miami (Ohio) on Monday, Nov. 3 in the first round of the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge.
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SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Men's Basketball Season Tickets: Secure your spot for all 14 of ODU’s home games this season, including the exhibition game versus Hampton, for just $215.
Women's Basketball Season Tickets: Enjoy every moment of Monarchs basketball with season tickets for $120 (adults), which includes access to all 15 home games.
Discounted season ticket rates are available for ODU Faculty & Staff, ODU Letterwinners, Young Alumni, Band & Spirit Parents and Military. Call for more information.
Mini-Plans: Want flexibility? Choose a mini-plan! Get tickets to six men's games starting at $120 or six women's games for $60 ($10 per game!). Additionally, fans can purchase a Norfolk State +2 mini pack starting at $81.
Single-Game Tickets: Mark your calendar—single-game tickets will be available starting October 14, except for the men’s game versus Norfolk State, which will go on-sale in late October.
Call the ODU Ticket Office at 757-683-3375 or online at odusports.com/tickets to secure your seats today!
2025 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Awards
Preseason Player of the Year:
Robert Davis, Jr., Old Dominion [Jr. | G | Detroit, Mich.]
Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team
Robert Davis, Jr., Old Dominion [R-Jr. | G | Detroit, Mich.]
Thomas Dowd, Troy [Jr. | F | Dothan, Ala.]
Tyren Moore, Georgia Southern [Gr. | G | Louisville, Ky.]
Jalen Speer, Marshall [Gr. | G | Gainesville, Fla.]
Bradley Douglas, James Madison [Gr. | G | Eustis, Fla.]
Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team
Eren Banks, App State [Jr. | G | Eatonton, Ga.]
Mark Drone, Texas State [Sr. | G | Jackson, Miss.]
Jelani Hamilton, Georgia State [R-So. | G | Marietta, Ga.]
Chandler Jackson, Arkansas State [Jr. | G | Memphis, Tenn.]
RaSheed Jones, Coastal Carolina [Jr. | G | Marion, Ind.]
Preseason All-Sun Belt Third Team
Jordan Battle, Old Dominion [Sr. | G | Norfolk, Va.]
John Broom, South Alabama [R-So. | G | Jacksonville, Ala.]
Kaden Gumbs, Texas State [Jr. | G | San Marcos, Texas]
Matt Van Komen, Marshall [Gr. | C | Lehi, Utah]
Nakavieon White, Georgia Southern [R-Sr. | F | Odessa, Texas]
2025 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Coaches Poll
- James Madison (1) – 175
- Arkansas State (3) – 154
- South Alabama (4) – 152
- Troy (1) – 148
- Old Dominion (2) – 145
- Marshall (1) – 128
- App State (1) – 123
- Texas State – 106
- Louisiana (1) – 95
- Georgia Southern – 66
- Georgia State – 59
- Southern Miss – 57
- Coastal Carolina – 43
- ULM – 19
Parentheses indicate first-place votes