Dear Torero Fans,

As we enter Week 6 of our summer workouts, one thing has been consistent every single morning: the energy, effort, and enthusiasm in our gym. That's what G.B.D. is all about! Our players have embraced the challenge of getting better every day, and it's been exciting to watch this team understand that long-term success is built through daily habits. They know that every workout, every practice, every film session, and every rep matters.

While we've spent countless hours in the gym, we've also made it a priority to build our team away from basketball. This summer, we've enjoyed trips to the San Diego County Fair, spent time together at the Mission Valley YMCA, volunteered with the San Diego Humane Society, and connected with students through BiGI (Black Ingenious Initiative), a youth college readiness program, while also competing in kickball, dodgeball, and sand volleyball. These experiences have strengthened the bonds within our team and reminded us that great teams are built through shared experiences. Simply put, this group is a pleasure to be around. They genuinely enjoy being together, and it's easy to see that they are building something special. They have positioned themselves to have a tremendous year.

We're also excited that our entire roster is now on campus following the arrival of Antonio Muñoz a couple of weeks ago. Antonio immediately adds another dimension to our team with his athleticism and defensive versatility. Offensively, he's consistently playing above the rim and brings an exciting presence to our attack. It's been great having him integrated into our program, and we're all looking forward to watching him make significant strides throughout his sophomore season.

Our frontcourt has embraced the grind in every sense of the word. From 6:00 a.m. individual workouts to practice, film sessions, and extra skill development, our big men have put in the work every single day. Their commitment has been outstanding, and they are laying the foundation to become one of the best frontcourts in the West Coast Conference.

Sekou Konneh continues to impress with his relentless motor and ability to make multiple efforts on every possession. He has become a constant lob threat around the rim while also disrupting opposing offenses with his defensive activity. His energy is contagious, and his willingness to compete on every possession elevates everyone around him.

Jose Roberto Tanchyn brings a unique level of versatility to the five position. His ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting immediately creates spacing, but what separates him even further is his passing ability. He's one of our best playmakers, and his basketball IQ allows him to see plays before they develop. His impact on both ends of the floor will be instrumental in helping our team reach its potential.

Alejandro Aviles underwent successful surgery a little over a month ago and has attacked his rehabilitation with the same determination he brings to everything else. We look forward to having him back on the court soon, but his impact has never left our team. Every day, he brings positive energy, encourages his teammates, and provides a voice from the sidelines that keeps everyone engaged. It's another reminder of one of our core beliefs: EVERYONE MATTERS.

Personally, this has been one of the most enjoyable groups I've had the opportunity to coach. I genuinely look forward to my 4:00 a.m. alarm every morning because I know I get to spend the day working alongside these young men. They have made coaching incredibly rewarding through their attitude, commitment, and willingness to embrace every challenge we place in front of them.

We'll finish out a productive month of July before giving our players some well-earned time in August to return home and spend time with their loved ones. That break will allow them to recharge before we come back together for the final push toward the season.

The season is approaching quickly, and our excitement continues to grow. Our daily habits are becoming our standards, and we're beginning to establish the identity of this basketball team. That process has been incredibly rewarding, and it starts with the outstanding investment our coaching staff makes in these young men every single day. At the same time, it's a testament to our players, who have embraced the challenge of becoming the hardest-working team in the nation.

We know the work we're putting in today will pay dividends tomorrow. Our guys know that EVERY DETAIL MATTERS.

And most importantly ... WINNING STARTS NOW!

Thank you, as always, for your continued investment in our student-athletes and our program. Your support allows us to provide these young men with an incredible experience, and we can't wait to share this journey with you throughout the season.

And lastly, don't forget — we are hosting our second annual 2026 USD Basketball Coaches Clinic Saturday, August 1 at the Basketball Performance Center. If you haven't registered yet, click HERE. We look forward to seeing you.



JR Blount
Head Coach, Men's Basketball
University of San Diego