Men's basketball team huddled with fists up during a game
Robert Blakley

Men's Basketball Welcomes a Signing Class of Six Freshmen for 2025-26

WASHINGTON - Joining the American University men's basketball team for the 2025-26 season will be six talented freshmen who have all signed to play for head coach Duane Simpkins as he enters his third season at the helm, coming off a Patriot League Championship run and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2024-25.

The incoming freshman class represents five states and includes Madden Collins (Columbia, S.C./Christ School), Chris Eagan (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Catholic), Dean Hogans (White Plains, N.Y./The Hotchkiss School), Carson McDonald (Denver, Colo./The Newman School), Kamran Prince (Goldsboro, N.C./Trinity Academy of Raleigh), and Kade Sebastian (Fairfax, Va./DeMatha Catholic).

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Madden Collins signing graphic

MADDEN COLLINS
Columbia, S.C.
Christ School
Guard | 6-5

  • 2024-25 NCISAA All-State, All-Carolinas Athletic Association, and All-Conference
  • Averaged 13.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.5 steals per game as a senior 
  • Played in state championship game as a senior, a 73-50 win against Carmel Christian, helping defend the state title for a third consecutive season
  • Played on Team United EYBL last summer - Official Nike EYBL team
  • Younger brother, Mason, also plays for Christ School
  • Both parents played basketball at Temple University
  • Mother, Ari Moore, played four years at Temple under Hall of Famer Dawn Staley
  • Father, Mardy Collins, played at Temple for Hall of Famer John Chaney and was a 2006 first-round draft pick for the New York Knicks, playing four NBA seasons and then nine seasons overseas in Europe. Mardy was inducted into the Temple Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023
I chose to come to AU because it allows me to get a great education and have the ability to play the sport I have loved since I was a little kid. The coaching staff made it feel like home and have treated my family and I with love and care. I also chose AU because I have family along the East Coast (Philly, DC, Virginia), and having them be able to come watch me play and support me means a lot.
Madden Collins
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Chris Eagan signing graphic

CHRIS EAGAN
Charlotte, N.C.
Charlotte Catholic High School
Upward Stars - 3SSB
Forward | 6-8

  • Plans to major in business administration/finance
  • Played in 106 games in his high school career, averaging 9.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per contest while shooting 53 percent from the field
  • Overall record of 20-7 in his senior season 
  • NCHSAA Southwestern 4A Boys Player of the Year
  • Named to the First Team All-Conference as a junior and senior, and Second Team All-District as a senior
  • Scored 1,001 points and grabbed 522 rebounds
  • Team was conference champions in 2022 and 2023
  • Enjoys rowing, golf, and sailing
  • Grandfather, Peter Eagan, played football at Brown, while grandfather John Hall was on track & field at Georgetown
  • Uncle Steven Eagan played tennis at UNC Wilmington
The coaching staff at American aligned with my personality. AU's campus and size was a significant factor as well. Lastly, I chose AU for the close alignment between the basketball program and the Kogod School of Business.
Chris Eagan
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Dean Hogans signing graphic

DEAN HOGANS
White Plains, N.Y.
The Hotchkiss School
6th Boro Hoops
Guard | 6-4

  • Founders League Player of the Year as a senior in 2024-25 after averaging 20.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while hitting 52 percent from the field
  • All-New England First Team and All-Founders League First Team as both a junior and senior
  • All-Founders League First Team and All-New England Honorable Mention as a sophomore
  • Three-time team captain
  • Team won NEPSAC Class A and the Founders League in his freshman season
  • Standout player for 17U MADE Hoops 2024 DMV Live
  • Ranked 11th in 2025 Connecticut New England Recruiting Report
  • Father, Ural Hogans, played basketball for Morgan State University
  • Plans to major in business & entertainment at American
I chose AU because of the connection and bond that I created with the entire coaching staff. I realized right away that playing for people like them will make my college basketball experience the best it could possibly be. It was an easy decision for me after getting to know them.
Dean Hogans
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Carson McDonald signing graphic

CARSON MCDONALD
Denver, Colo.
The Newman School (Mass.)
Mass Rivals
Forward | 6-9

  • Team won its first National Prep Championship in his senior year after going 31-9 and ranking #2 in the country
  • Was all-conference honorable mention as a junior in public school in Colorado
  • Comes from an extremely athletic family with his grandfather, Edward, playing for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1971-72, his father, Tiger, playing semi-pro soccer after also playing for Lewis University, his mother, Diana, playing both volleyball and basketball for Dana College, and his sister, Ashley, playing soccer at Dominican University of California.
  • Went to Kenya in 2023 to build schools and a solar power well for the community and give back to kids while learning their culture and way of life.
For starters, I'm exited for the basketball program, but the community and relationships that American builds for you will last lifetimes. The education factor that is able to be adaptable to each person, and the core pillars that American builds on every day are what sold it for me.
Carson McDonald
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Kam Prince signing graphic

KAMRAN PRINCE
Goldsboro, N.C.
Trinity Academy of Raleigh
Team Curry
Guard | 6-2

  • Two-time all-state and four-time all-conference selection
  • Averaged 16 points per game and seven assists per game as a senior
  • Plays club for Team Curry
  • Former AAU teammate of Julen Iturbe 
  • Helped improve team record from 12-13 to 18-8 in one season, and was part of a conference championship
  • Also played football at Trinity Academy
I chose AU because I have a great relationship with the coaches, who were the first to take a chance on me. When I went on the visit, it felt like home. I believe I will thrive here. They care about my development both on and off the basketball court.
Kamran Prince
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Kade Sebastian signing graphic

KADE SEBASTIAN
Fairfax, Va.
DeMatha Catholic High School
Washington Warriors
Guard | 6-4

  • Team went 22-7 overall in his senior season
  • All-WCAC Second Team as a senior in 2024-25
  • All-WCAC Honorable Mention in 2024, and All-District Honorable Mention in 2022
  • Team was Maryland Private School State Champs in 2024
  • Plans to major in business at American
  • Played for the Washington Warriors AAU Team
  • Father, Eric, worked in PR with the Denver Nuggets and was hired as the Director of Operations for George Washington University in 2024 after seven years as the Director of Coaching Operations for the Washington Wizards.
I chose AU because I felt close with the players and coaches. It feels like a true brotherhood which is what I've experienced during high school. Also, I really enjoy the ability to explore the city and make connections through being in D.C. The campus has a great feel and it's super beautiful.
Kade Sebastian

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