USF BASKETBALL FANS- USF PICTURES ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

Veteran Guards Chosen to Lead Bulls

USF men’s basketball coach Chris Mack has named graduate guard Mike James and senior guard Sonny Wilson as team captains for the 2026-27 Bulls season.

The selection gives Mack two experienced backcourt leaders as he begins his first season at South Florida. James and Wilson have both stood out during offseason workouts and preseason preparation, according to the Bulls’ announcement.

“Mike and Sonny are strong, veteran leaders who have stood out to our staff and their teammates on and off the court through our summer and preseason workouts,” Mack said. “Leadership is a key ingredient to any team’s success and we have tremendous confidence in Mike and Sonny stepping up to take on that challenge throughout the 2026-27 season.”

The Bulls will lean heavily on that leadership as Mack oversees a reshaped roster that includes 15 new players.

Mike James Brings Experience and Familiarity

James enters the season in his sixth year of college basketball and brings an established connection to Mack.

The 6-foot-5 guard originally was recruited by Mack and played for him at Louisville. A former Florida Class 7A Player of the Year at Oak Ridge High School in Orlando, James turned 24 on Sept. 9 and arrives at South Florida with substantial college experience.

He has played in 86 collegiate games, made 64 starts and totaled 756 career points and 306 rebounds. His size, maturity and familiarity with Mack’s expectations make him a natural choice to lead a Bulls team that will need to build chemistry quickly.

James also provides an important Florida connection for a program seeking to establish a new identity in Tampa. His background in the state, along with his previous experience in Mack’s system, should give the Bulls a steady voice in practices, film sessions and close-game situations.

Sonny Wilson Adds Proven Production

Wilson gives South Florida another veteran guard with a strong college résumé.

The 6-foot-1 senior was a Gatorade Michigan Player of the Year before spending three seasons at Toledo. He transferred to South Florida for his fourth collegiate season after earning two All-MAC selections with the Rockets.

Wilson enters the 2026-27 campaign with 99 career games played and 98 starts. His career totals include 1,338 points, 373 rebounds, 331 assists and 101 steals.

That production makes Wilson more than simply an experienced transfer. He has played a major role in winning college basketball, handled the responsibility that comes with being a primary guard and demonstrated the ability to create offense for himself and teammates.

For a roster with numerous newcomers, Wilson’s ball-handling, decision-making and ability to set the emotional tone could be essential.

Mack’s Roster Reload Begins

Mack inherited a South Florida program coming off an eventful 2025-26 season.

The previous Bulls team finished 25-9, reached the NCAA Tournament and captured both the American Conference regular-season and tournament championships. It marked the second time in three years that South Florida won both league titles.

But the Bulls returned no players from that roster.

South Florida responded by adding 12 transfers and three high school signees, giving Mack a completely new group to shape. The Bulls’ transfer class includes four players with a composite rating of .9100 or higher and four-star status, according to 247Sports. South Florida’s average transfer rating of 89.00 ranked third among Group of 6 programs, while its overall recruiting class ranked among the top 10 nationally in that category.

James and Wilson will be central to helping the newcomers become a cohesive team. Their captaincies are a sign that Mack values experience, consistency and accountability as the Bulls begin a major transition.

Season Opens in November

South Florida will get its first public look at the new roster in an exhibition game against St. Leo on Oct. 19 at the Yuengling Center.

The regular season begins Monday, Nov. 2, when the Bulls host Charleston Southern. That game opens a 14-game non-conference schedule for South Florida.

One of the marquee home matchups arrives Dec. 19, when Alabama visits Tampa. The Crimson Tide reached the NCAA Sweet 16 and finished No. 16 in the Associated Press poll last season. Alabama’s visit is part of a two-for-one series after the Crimson Tide defeated South Florida 104-93 in Tuscaloosa last year.

For Mack, the immediate task is building a team out of new pieces. Naming James and Wilson captains provides a clear starting point.

The Bulls have a new coach, a nearly entirely new roster and an ambitious schedule ahead. They now also have two veteran guards entrusted with leading the way.