NEW ORLEANS – Old Dominion men’s basketball guard Adante’ Holiman has been named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team, as announced by the conference office on Monday afternoon.
A McAlester, Oklahoma native who transferred in from Arizona State, Holiman did not make an appearance for the Sun Devils last season but was a Third Team All-Sun Belt selection two seasons ago at Georgia Southern. Holiman was also named to Blue Ribbon Magazine’s Preseason All-Sun Belt Team as well as Lindy’s Sports Magazine’s Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team. He started 19 of the 25 games he appeared in for the Eagles in 2024-25 and led the team with 16.9 points per game, 81 three-pointers, 423 points, and 80% shooting at the free-throw line. Holiman scored in double figures in all but three games that season and reached 20 points 11 times.
Monarch Nation got a look at Holiman and this year’s ODU squad during an exhibition this past Saturday against two-time defending A10 champions, VCU. Holiman started the game for the Monarchs and finished with nine points in 22 minutes of action. He shot 2-for-9 (22.2%) from the field, including 2-for-7 (28.6%) from the perimeter, and made 3-of-4 (75%) shots at the free-throw line. He added three rebounds, one assist, and one steal to his stats line.
The Monarchs were picked to finish 11th in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll with 76 points. Arkansas State is the preseason favorite to win the league after receiving three first-place votes and 182 points. James Madison got nine first-place votes and was picked second with 176 points, and Troy was chosen third with 143 points.
ODU went 12-21 overall and 7-11 in the Sun Belt last season. The Monarchs entered the Sun Belt Championship as the No. 11 seed and defeated No. 14 seed ULM, 87-80 in the opening round of the tournament, but they dropped their second-round game, 88-84 to No. 10 seed Georgia Southern.
Old Dominion has six returners from 2025-26: guards Zacch Wiggins, Scottie Hubbard, Rieco Hellams, and CJ Parker as well as forwards Jared Turner and Ben Nacey. Head coach Mike Jones reloaded his roster with 11 newcomers, including seven transfers and four first years. In addition to Holiman, the other transfers include guards Khoi Thurmon (Oakland) and Bubu Benjamin (George Washington) and forwards Jotham Nweke (Wayne State), Zamoku Weluche-Ume (North Carolina A&T), Kylan Howze (Louisiana Tech), and Lucio Martini (University of Bologna). The four first years are guards CJ Harper, Theo Gerges, CJ Lyons, and Noah Eddy. Jones also added two new assistant coaches to his staff: Orlando Vandross, who was at Virginia, and Jim Molinari, who was most recently at Boston College.
The Monarchs will host a 7 p.m. exhibition game versus Virginia State this Saturday, Oct. 24 at Chartway Arena. ODU will then open its season at home against Western Michigan on Monday, Nov. 2 in the first round of the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge. Tipoff against the Broncos is scheduled for 7 p.m.
SEASON SPONSOR
Bon Secours is the Presenting Sponsor of Old Dominion University’s 2026-27 Men’s Basketball Season. Bon Secours is proud to operate its four hospitals and medical centers in Hampton Roads and is even more proud to serve the surrounding community with exceptional care. It’s our mission at Bon Secours Hampton Roads to treat the whole person — mind, body and spirit, to bring compassion to health care, and to be good help to those in need. Bon Secours – the health care you deserve from a team you can trust.
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Men's Basketball: Secure your seat for all 19 home games, including the exhibition against VCU, starting at $226. Purchase 2026-27 men's basketball season tickets or reach out to Jackson Daley at 757-683-6156 for all you season ticket needs.
Women's Basketball: Enjoy every moment of Monarchs basketball with access to all 16 home games for $147. Purchase 2026-27 women's basketball season tickets or reach out to Jackson Daley at 757-683-6156 for all you season ticket needs.
Single-Game Tickets: Mark your calendar. Single-game tickets go on sale October 8, with a presale for season ticket holders and ODAF members beginning October 1.
Groups: Bringing a group? Connect our ticketing team to find your perfect game day experience. Contact ODU Ticket Rep, Ethan Truesdale-Hales at (757) 683-5444 or etruesda@odu.edu.
2026 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Awards
Preseason Player of the Year:
Isaac Taveras, Southern Miss [4th Yr. | G | Santo Domingo, D.R.]
Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team
Adante’ Holiman, Old Dominion [4th Yr. | G | McAlester, Okla.]
Peyton Law, South Alabama [5th Yr. | F | Calhoun, Ga.]
Jacob Meyer, Georgia State [4th Yr. | G | Covington, Ky.]
Noah Otshudi, Marshall [5th Yr. | G | Hamilton, Ontario, Can.]
Isaac Taveras, Southern Miss [4th Yr. | G | Santo Domingo, D.R.]
Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team
Tameron Ferguson, Arkansas State [3rd Yr. | G | St. Cloud, Minn.]
Preston Fowler, James Madison [2nd Yr. | F | Vernon, Conn.]
Dallas Gardner, Georgia Southern [4th Yr. | G | Charlotte, N.C.]
Gage Lattimore, James Madison [3rd Yr. | G | Greensboro, N.C.]
Layne Taylor, Arkansas State [3rd Yr. | G | Farmington, Ark.]
Preseason All-Sun Belt Third Team
Jacoi Hutchinson, Troy [4th Yr. | G | Laurel, Md.]
Jamyron Keller, Louisiana [4th Yr. | G | St. Matthews, S.C.]
Jalen Langsy, South Alabama [3rd Yr. | G | Shakopee, Minn.]
Kyran Tilley, Louisiana Tech [3rd Yr. | G | Louisville, Ky.]
K.J. Windham, James Madison [3rd Yr. | G | Indianapolis, Ind.]
2026 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. Arkansas State (3) – 182
2. James Madison (9) – 176
3. Troy – 143
4. South Alabama – 136
5. Marshall – 125
6. Louisiana – 117
7. Southern Miss (2) – 109
8. App State – 105
9. Georgia Southern – 85
10. Georgia State – 79
11. Old Dominion – 76
12. Louisiana Tech – 64
13. Coastal Carolina – 58
14. ULM – 15
Parentheses indicate first-place votes