UCA having to rebuilds roster under Shulman for second season

CONWAY, Ark. — The hardwood inside the Farris Center sits nearly empty on a humid June afternoon, save for a handful of Central Arkansas basketball players running drills with fresh intensity.

Bears coach John Shulman watches from the sideline, clipboard in hand, as new and returning faces begin to forge the chemistry needed for the 2025-26 men’s basketball season.

Rebuilding is the word on campus, and for Shulman, it’s more than a buzzword, it’s a mandate.

After a season marked by inconsistency and roster turnover, UCA is entering a new era.

Shulman, who joined the Bears ahead of last season, must now assemble a competitive team nearly from scratch, piecing together transfers, freshmen, and a handful of veterans.

“Excited about the new additions to our program,” Shulman said in a recent social media post. “They bring experience and energy and enthusiasm. New vibe in our program.”

The 2025-26 roster features an eclectic mix. Among the most notable additions is Truman Byrne, a forward from Australia whose size and court vision have already drawn comparisons to past UCA standouts.

Byrne’s arrival signals Shulman’s intent to scout globally for talent, expanding the Bears’ reach beyond the typical Southern circuit.

Transfers play a critical role in this rebuilding project. Rashad Bolden, a senior transfer from Mississippi College, brings Division II success and a reputation for clutch shooting.

“I wanted to contribute right away,” Bolden said in an interview. “Coach Shulman showed me a blueprint for how I could help take this program to the next level.”

Another key recruit is Parker Applegate, a highly regarded transfer from Union University.

Applegate’s versatility and leadership could prove vital as the Bears attempt to gel in Shulman’s up-tempo system. With the NCAA transfer portal becoming the lifeblood of college basketball, Shulman’s ability to attract proven contributors is a sign of his program’s evolving reputation.

Returning players like Camren Hunter and Javion Guy-King will anchor a squad in flux, providing institutional memory and a sense of continuity amid sweeping change.

“You don’t win in this league without guys who know what it takes,” Shulman said at a recent media day. “The challenge is getting everyone on the same page, fast.”

The Bears’ transformation isn’t happening in a vacuum.

Across the NCAA, programs are experiencing unprecedented roster churn. More than 2,700 players entered the transfer portal before the April deadline, according to a recent report by ESPN. For mid-major schools like Central Arkansas, rebuilding every offseason has become the new normal.

Shulman’s coaching philosophy centers on defense and unselfish play, traits that can be tough to instill in a group assembled in a single summer. But he’s no stranger to high-turnover environments.

With a career record that includes 258 wins and experience coaching at multiple stops, Shulman has built teams from the ground up before.

The renewed roster also reflects a cultural shift within the program.

“We wanted to create a new standard,” Shulman told local reporters. “It’s about accountability and work ethic. The guys who bought in are still here. The guys who didn’t, well, we wish them the best.”

The message is clear that UCA is entering an era where opportunity must be earned every day.

Fans will get their first look at the revamped Bears when they open the season against Brigham Young, a tough test for a team still learning each other’s tendencies.

Early results may be uneven, but Shulman remains focused on progress rather than immediate perfection.

“I don’t have time to build this program, taking a five-year rebuild,” he said. “I don’t have time, [the players] don’t have time.”

While the team’s statistical goals, like improving on last year’s 70.2 points per game, are modest, the real measure of success will be how quickly the new pieces can come together.

Shulman’s pragmatic approach, honed over decades of coaching, leans on communication and flexibility.

“Every year is different,” he said. “You can’t coach this group the same way you coached the last.”

For the players, the opportunity to contribute immediately is a powerful draw.

“Coach let me know from day one, nothing is guaranteed,” said Applegate. “That pushes all of us to work that much harder.” The competition for playing time is fierce, and Shulman’s rotation could evolve deep into the season.

Off the court, the Bears are striving to reconnect with their fan base and the Conway community. New recruits have already participated in campus events and youth clinics, part of a broader push to generate excitement for the program’s new chapter.

“We want people to see the culture we’re building,” said Shulman. “This is a group that’s hungry and grateful for every chance.”

As the summer weeks pass and preseason draws closer, the sense of urgency is unmistakable.

For Shulman and UCA, the 2025-26 season is about more than wins and losses. It’s about proving that, even in an era of constant change, a program can reinvent itself with the right blend of vision, grit, and belief.