Flyers have eight newcomers but two returners who received A-10 preseason honors
Dayton Flyers head coach Anthony Grant and senior guard Javon Bennett joined John Fanta and Rob Dauster of The Field of 68 during Atlantic 10 Media Day in Pittsburgh last week.
In the discussion, Dauster compared Dayton’s 2025–26 roster to the 2019–20 team that went 29–2, noting similarities in style and personnel.
“You’ve got a point guard like Javon who can penetrate and create, shooters and versatile players at the wing positions, and a dominant big man inside,” Dauster said. “It feels like a modern team — and one that fits perfectly into Anthony Grant’s system.”
Grant, known for keeping expectations in check, replied with a smile, “Rob, I’m going to caution you — when you say things like that, our fan base can get a little too excited.”
That excitement may be tempered this year after last season’s 10–2 start unraveled with four losses in five games, including three straight early in A-10 play that derailed their NCAA Tournament hopes.
Despite some uncertainty surrounding the new roster, Bennett and 7-foot-1 sophomore center Amaël L’Etang are proven returners.
Bennett, who transferred from Merrimack, averaged 11.6 points, 2.1 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 31 minutes per game last season, improving his three-point shooting from 31.6% to 39%. With 61 starts in two seasons, he’s now Dayton’s most experienced player.
“I watched him at Merrimack and could see right away he’s a competitor,” Grant said. “When I met him, the fire in his eyes stood out — he believed in himself and wanted to be part of something that believed in him. Over two years, he’s become one of the league’s top players. We’ve asked him to do everything from run the point to play off the ball, and he’s handled it all. He’s put in the work and is poised for a big season.”
Bennett was named to the A-10 preseason first team, joining a group where five of six players — all but Loyola Chicago guard Miles Rubin — have transferred during their careers.
Every player on the A-10 preseason second team has also transferred at least once, with the lone exception being Amaël L’Etang, who averaged 7.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.0 block in 16.8 minutes per game last season.
“For Amaël, the key was just stepping in as a freshman and figuring out what he was ready for,” Grant said. “Over the course of last year, his growth was steady from start to finish — so much so that we moved him into the starting lineup early in conference play. He really showed what he’s capable of.”
“Like most freshmen, he had to adjust to the college game. Now, there’s another challenge — teams know him better,” Grant added. “But he’s put in a lot of work this offseason. He had a strong summer, played with his national team, and then returned to train with us. I’m excited to see how he continues to develop and take the next step.”
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