After a promising 2025-26 season, Marist men’s basketball enters the new season with a heavily revamped roster. 10 players from last year’s team no longer represent the Red Foxes, either because of graduation or departure through the transfer portal. Jaden Daughtry, a forward who built a reputation as the defensive enforcer of several strong defensive teams in his four seasons, was one of the departures.
While he may not be an exact copy of Daughtry, the Red Foxes turned to the transfer portal for his replacement: sophomore wing Edward Onyia. Daughtry’s defensive impact came from his length and explosiveness, but Marist head coach John Dunne sees Onyia as a more physical and disciplined defender who can make up for some of what Marist lost.
“We expect him to be a big, big piece for us… a big part of what we’re trying to do, especially on the defensive end,” said Dunne. “I don’t know if he’s going to create as much havoc as a Daughtry, but I think Ed could be like a little bit more solid and a bit more disciplined…to put it simply, he’s got a high IQ on the defensive end of the floor.”
Originally from Leicester, England, Onyia’s original sport growing up was soccer, much like many English kids. He played until he was around 12 years old and continued to get taller, which caused his knees to hurt and the switch to basketball.
That switch proved to pay off. Onyia flourished at every level, while developing his game in a basketball system that differs from the United States in some ways.
“You start at under 12 and then it goes up by two [years]…,” said Onyia. “…under 12s, under 14s, under 16s… after under 18s, you have a choice to go play something similar to college.”
One of those opportunities is the Elite Academy Basketball League (EABL), where Onyia established himself as one of the UK’s top young players. He flourished at this stage, even being named Hoopsfix’s All-Star classic MVP in 2025. He dropped 14 points and nine rebounds, leading his team to a win, overcoming a 20-point deficit.
“If you’re good enough and you play there, you can play in adult leagues, like, D II, D I, BCB (British Championship Basketball), and SLB (Super League Basketball), the pro leagues,” said Onyia.
Onyia continued to excel, earning EABL First Team honors three times. Then, he moved to the collegiate Division II level in the U.S. at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire.
Onyia noticed several differences in the style of play between the U.K. and the U.S. during his first year of college.
“Well, basketball wise, the way most teams play in college [in the U.S., is really quick,” said Onyia. “I think the U.K., like Europe as a whole, is more tactical.”
Despite the differences, Onyia adapted quickly. He averaged 11.5 points and 6.4 rebounds while shooting over 50% from the field. He came off the bench for most games but was such a spark plug that he won Northeast-10 Conference Rookie of the Year.
“It was like a good confidence boost,” Onyia said. “I won rookie year at a competitive Conference. I realized I could really play with them.”
His excellent play made him stick out to Dunne.
“We were actually recruiting one of his teammates,” said Dunne. “I started watching the film for his teammates and really started to like him.”
The Marist coaching staff instantly fell in love with the physicality and effort Onyia brings to the court. His ability to guard every position has also stood out in practice.
“He definitely has a toughness level about him,” said Dunne. “He’s been guarding wings in practice a little bit and moves his feet good. He has a lot of physicality.”
His physicality and aggression aren’t something that Dunne just noticed — Onyia himself prides himself on those traits.
“My biggest strength… I’d say basketball wise is my aggression. I really try to get to the free throw line, I love rebounding offensively, defensively as well,” said Onyia.
Offensive rebounding is an area that Marist could stand to improve in this season; the Red Foxes ranked tenth in the MAAC in offensive rebounds per game last season. Perhaps Onyia will help in that area while fitting well with Dunne’s defense-focused system that last year had the best defensive rating of any team in the MAAC at 103.44 and allowed the fewest points per game to opponents: 63.8. Marist’s gritty style played a role in Onyia’s commitment.
“In college, most teams play really quickly. But, Marist, we kind of play slowly…” Onyia said. “That’s similar to the UK, but most teams here are very quick. Saint Anselm was really quick.”
Coming from another country can always be a challenge, but Onyia has been adapting well. The coaching staff has high praise for him and what he brings to the Red Foxes.
“He’s very mature, probably beyond his years,” said Dunne. “When you come over from another country and everybody’s going home in the spring, on the weekends or over breaks, he’s not. I think you get used to that lifestyle.”
Daughtry’s graduation leaves Marist without its leading rebounder and shot-blocker. He also tied for second in steals per game, a perfect hole for Onyia to fill in the lineup.
After a close loss to No. 1 seed Merrimack in the second round of the MAAC tournament, Marist enters the 2026-27 season looking to build on that momentum while also managing a lot of newcomers. Onyia won’t be asked to replicate Daughtry’s game, but his physicality, rebounding and defensive IQ could give the Red Foxes another valuable piece on that end of the floor.
For a player who didn’t pick up basketball until he was 12 years old in Leicester, Onyia has already traveled a long way. Now, he has the opportunity to make his mark in Poughkeepsie.
Edited by Izzy Perry and Max Rosen
Graphic by Xavier Angel
Photos from Marist Athletics
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