Men’s Basketball Adds Ezra McKenna and Mikhail Pocknett to the 2025-26 Roster
4/11/2025 12:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BUFFALO, N.Y. – University at Buffalo men's basketball Head Coach George Halcovage III announced the signings of forward Ezra McKenna (Mobile) and forward Mikhail Pocknett (King) to the roster for the 2025-26 season.
In his four seasons with the Mobile Rams, McKenna played in 103 games, 99 of which he started. He averaged 15.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game to go with his .588 field goal percentage. Over the course of the last three seasons, he recorded 57 double-doubles as he averaged 16.5 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. He scored at least 20 points in 27 games over the last three seasons. He's not afraid to pull the trigger from deep as he made 52 three-pointers to go with his .356 three-point percentage. McKenna earned Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Player of the Week honors 14 times during his time at Mobile. In 2022, he was named to the SSAC All-Freshman Team after averaging 6.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. In his sophomore season, he jumped out to 17.0 points and 10.7 rebounds per game which earned him 2023 First-Team All-SSAC honors. McKenna earned SSAC Player of the Year in 2024 to go with First-Team All-SSAC honors. After averaging 17.8 points and 12.1 rebounds per game, McKenna was named to the Second-Team All-America list. In 2025, the 6'10" forward earned First-Team All-SSAC and SSAC All-Tournament Team honors. The last three seasons, he helped the Rams to a 61-28 (.685) overall record.
Pocknett spent the last two seasons at Division II King University in Bristol, Tenn. During his time with the Tornado he scored 1,209 points while grabbing 510 rebounds. He averaged 20.1 points and 8.5 rebounds to go with a .498 field goal percentage. In his career, he tallied 21 double-doubles. In the 2023-24 campaign, Pocknett was named Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year. This was King's first Freshman of the Year honor since the 2011-12 season. As a freshman, he averaged 17.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game which also earned him Second-Team All-Conference Carolinas. He was a two-time Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Month. In his sophomore season, Pocknett earned First-Team All-Conference Carolinas as he averaged 22.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game to go with a .522 field goal percentage. He helped the Tornado to a Conference Carolinas Tournament semifinal appearance. In total he earned five Conference Carolinas Player of the Week honors in his time at King.
"We are excited to officially welcome Ezra and Mikhail into our Buffalo Basketball Program," stated Head Coach George Halcovage III. "Both come to us after having great years at the NAIA and Division II levels. Our fans are going to love watching these guys compete in Alumni Arena next season! Go Bulls!"
For all the latest on UB men's basketball, follow @UBuffaloMBB on Twitter/X, @ubuffalo_mbb on Instagram and like the UB Men's Basketball Facebook page.
Click here for ticket information.
Click here for information on the Blue & White Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
In his four seasons with the Mobile Rams, McKenna played in 103 games, 99 of which he started. He averaged 15.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game to go with his .588 field goal percentage. Over the course of the last three seasons, he recorded 57 double-doubles as he averaged 16.5 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. He scored at least 20 points in 27 games over the last three seasons. He's not afraid to pull the trigger from deep as he made 52 three-pointers to go with his .356 three-point percentage. McKenna earned Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Player of the Week honors 14 times during his time at Mobile. In 2022, he was named to the SSAC All-Freshman Team after averaging 6.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. In his sophomore season, he jumped out to 17.0 points and 10.7 rebounds per game which earned him 2023 First-Team All-SSAC honors. McKenna earned SSAC Player of the Year in 2024 to go with First-Team All-SSAC honors. After averaging 17.8 points and 12.1 rebounds per game, McKenna was named to the Second-Team All-America list. In 2025, the 6'10" forward earned First-Team All-SSAC and SSAC All-Tournament Team honors. The last three seasons, he helped the Rams to a 61-28 (.685) overall record.
Pocknett spent the last two seasons at Division II King University in Bristol, Tenn. During his time with the Tornado he scored 1,209 points while grabbing 510 rebounds. He averaged 20.1 points and 8.5 rebounds to go with a .498 field goal percentage. In his career, he tallied 21 double-doubles. In the 2023-24 campaign, Pocknett was named Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year. This was King's first Freshman of the Year honor since the 2011-12 season. As a freshman, he averaged 17.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game which also earned him Second-Team All-Conference Carolinas. He was a two-time Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Month. In his sophomore season, Pocknett earned First-Team All-Conference Carolinas as he averaged 22.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game to go with a .522 field goal percentage. He helped the Tornado to a Conference Carolinas Tournament semifinal appearance. In total he earned five Conference Carolinas Player of the Week honors in his time at King.
"We are excited to officially welcome Ezra and Mikhail into our Buffalo Basketball Program," stated Head Coach George Halcovage III. "Both come to us after having great years at the NAIA and Division II levels. Our fans are going to love watching these guys compete in Alumni Arena next season! Go Bulls!"
For all the latest on UB men's basketball, follow @UBuffaloMBB on Twitter/X, @ubuffalo_mbb on Instagram and like the UB Men's Basketball Facebook page.
Click here for ticket information.
Click here for information on the Blue & White Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
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