MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello Head Men's Basketball Coach
Chad Tapp announced the signing of 10 student-athletes who will continue their playing careers with the Boll Weevils in the 2025-26 season.
Among the signees are four junior college transfers, one NCAA Division I transfer, two Division II transfers, and three high school seniors. They will join returning Weevils: Isaac Jackson, Patrick Johnson, Charles Temple, and Bryson Hammond.
"We feel like we've done a better job adding guys with a winning background who fit what we do," said Coach Tapp. "We are excited about getting started."
#3 | Giancarlo Valdez | Graduate Student | 6'3 | Guard | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic / Lee University
Valdez joins the Weevils after spending the 2024-25 season with Lee University. He averaged 13.1 ppg at NCAA D2 Lee as well as 3.6 apg and 3 rpg. During his first four years at NCAA D1 Stetson, he claimed a 23-24 Atlantic Sun Conference Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. In the first round of the NCAA Tournament vs. UCONN, Valdez logged 7 minutes of time.
#5 | Jackson Birmingham | Junior | 6'3 | Guard | Sunshine Coast, Australia / Bismarck State Community College
Birmingham will join the Weevils after spending the 2024-25 season in the NJCAA Mon-Dak conference. He was selected to the second team conference with the Bismarck State Mystics. Brimingham averaged 12.1 ppg, 3.5 apg, and 5 rpg - shooting 51.6% from the field, 46.7% from the 3-point line, and 89.3% from the free throw line.
#10 | Felix Smedjeback | Junior | 6'6 | Guard | Malmo, Sweden / Eastern Arizona College
Smedjeback makes his way to the Natural State to gear up as a Weevil after spending the last two years with the Eastern Arizona Montsers. Felix averaged 6.3 ppg, 47.5% field, and 46.6% from the 3-point line. In his January 22, 2025, game against Cochise, Smedjeback made 7 out of 10 3's, and was the starter for the team until an injury ended his season.
#15 | Josh Smith | Junior | 6'9 | Forward | Dallas, TX / Langston University
Smith joins the Weevils after a season at Langston University. In his lone season with the Lions, Smith averaged 10 ppg and 5 rpg, while shooting 57% from the field. He was named second team all-conference in the Sooner Athletic Conference. He joined his team in the top 25 and made it to the Sweet 16 of the NAIA tournament.
#20 | Giancarlo Bastianoni | Graduate Student | 6'8 | Forward | Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic / University of New Hampshire
Bastianoni comes to Monticello to join the Weevils after spending the 2024-25 season at the University of New Hampshire. In his single season with the Wildcats, he recorded 36 points (12.0 PPG), 23 rebounds (7.7 RPG), and four assists (1.3 APG), while shooting a 42.5% from the field. He recorded a season high of 17 points against Iowa. Before his stint in Durham, he played in 80 games with 10 starts in three seasons at the University of North Georgia. Giancalro has single-season highs in games played (29), starts (eight), scoring (11.7), rebounding (4.9), and minutes (27.2) as a sophomore in 2023. Before leaving North George, the Nighthawks advanced to the Division II Elite 8 in 2024. Bastianoni was also a member of the Dominican Republic National Team.
#22 | Elem Shelby | Freshman | 6'4 | Guard | Benton, AR / Benton High School
Shelby comes to Weevils after a successful three-year varsity career with the Panthers of Benton High School. His team went 60-8 as well as 32-0 in conference during his time with the Panthers. Shelby is a 5 A state championship with an 11 ppg average, and a three-time All-Conference, two-time all-tournament team, two-time conference champion, and state champion.
#23 | Jakob Zenon | Senior | 6'4 | Guard | Fort Worth, TX / Arkansas Tech University
Zenon transfers to the Weevils after spending the 2024-25 season with fellow GAC member Arkansas Tech. In his lone season as a Wonder Boy, he averaged 5.7 ppg, with a season high of 21 points vs. Ouachita Baptist. Prior to arriving in Russellville, he averaged 18.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, and 2.1 apg while leading Dallas North Lake College to an NJCAA D3 National Championship. At Dallas North Lake College, he was named National player of the year while shooting 41% from the 3-point line.
#30 | Gianssen Valdez | Freshman | 6'1 | Guard | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic / Madison Academy
Valdez comes to Monticello after a three-year varsity career with the Madison Academy Mustangs. In his time with the Mustangs, Valdez averaged 9ppg in the 4 A Area, with appearances in 4 A Area championships and Elite Eight competitions. The Lighthouse Classic MVP was the team captain and led the team in assists and charges.
#32 | Ashton Price | Junior | 6'4 | Guard | Dallas, TX / Mountian View Community College
Price joins the Weevils, having a single-season stellar performance with the Mountain View Lions in the 2024-25 season. Price averaged 24.9 points, while shooting 49.2 percent from the field and 71.7 percent from the free-throw line. He grabbed 5.7 rebounds, had 4.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Price scored a career-high 43 points, sinking 16 of 17 free throws, while pulling down 12 rebounds, handing out seven assists, and blocking three shots in the NJCAA Division III South Central District Championship win over Dallas College Richland. The impressive season led Price to a second-team All-American nod in the NJAA D3 as well as the Dallas Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year award.
#33 | Jackson Edwards | Freshman | 6'4 | Guard | Greenbrier, AR / Greenbrier High School
Edwards joins the Boll Weevils after a four-year varsity career with the Greenbrier Panthers. In his final season, Edwards was seen as a triple threat as a shooting guard, small forward, and power forward, averaging 14 ppg, 5.4 rpg, and 2.3 apg. Edwards was named 5A Central All-Conference twice in his varsity career.
The Weevils' 2025-26 season will officially tip off in 86 days, when UAM travels to Tahlequah, OK, for the season opener in the Central Region Crossover. The season schedule is officially available at uamsports.com, pending a few opponent decisions still to be made. The Men's Basketball team looks forward to holding the home opener on Tuesday, Nov. 18, against Hendrix College.
How to follow the Weevils: For more information on Arkansas-Monticello Men's Basketball, visit www.uamsports.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
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