Butler Insider Akeem Glaspie on late-September practice
Butler Insider Akeem Glaspie got a first look at Butler’s newest player, center Kevin Ndzie.
INDIANAPOLIS — Butler fans will get a first look at the men’s and women’s basketball teams and a new and improved Hinkle Fieldhouse during an open practice on Family Weekend, Oct. 11.
The open practice begins at 10:30 a.m. and will feature scrimmages and post-practice access with players for autographs and photos.
The Butler men have 11 new players on its roster in transfers Jalen Jackson (Purdue Fort Wayne), Michael Ajayi (Gonzaga), Yame Butler (Drexel), Drayton Jones (South Carolina State) and Yohan Traore (SMU). The Bulldogs added international signee Kevin Ndzie from Italy by way of Cameroon, who was late to joining a top-25 recruiting class with five other freshmen: Jackson Keith, Efeosa Oliogu-Elabor, Jack McCaffery, Azavier “Stink” Robinson and Bryson Cardinal. Junior Finley Bizjack is the men’s lone returning starter. Redshirt sophomore Jamie Kaiser Jr., sophomore Evan Haywood and junior Ethan McComb also return.
Sophomore Lily Zeinstra is the women’s lone returning starter. Senior Lilly Stoddard, redshirt freshman Mckenzie Swanson also return at forward.
Coach Austin Parkinson added seven transfers: Kennedy Langham (Samford), McKenna Johnson (Minnesota), 2024-25 Caroline Dotsey (Maine), twins and younger sisters of men’s guard Jalen, Nevaeh Jackson and Saniya Jackson (Valparaiso), Mallory Miller (Arizona State), and Gabby Wilke (South Dakota) and two freshmen in Anna Wypych and Addison Baxter.
The open practice will feature many new faces and give fans a first look at Hinkle’s new 2,700 square feet LED video board and other improved digital signage throughout the arena. The upgrades were made possible through Butler’s new 10-year media rights partnership with PlayFly Sports.
The event is free and open to the public but fans are encouraged to download a ticket through the Butler Sports App.