NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Yale men's basketball team has welcomed four newcomers to the roster for the 2023-24 season. Samson Aletan, Jeannot Basima, Trevor Mullin and Casey Simmons all bring strong credentials both on and off the court.
 
The four join a program that has been tremendously successful. Over the last nine years, Yale has a 183-93 (.663) overall record, a 93-33 (.738) Ivy League mark, has won five Ivy titles, including last year, and earned four NCAA Tournament berths and one NIT bid.
 
Meet the Class of 2027:
 
Samson Aletan
6-10 | 220
Center
Dallas, Texas
Lake Highlands
Southern Assault
 
Before Yale: 7-6A Defensive Player of the Year at Lake Highland… Two-time first team All-District selection… Named to UIL 6A All-Region and All-State Tournament team… Averaged 9.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots… Holds the record for most blocks in a state tournament championship game (seven)… Helped lead Lake Highlands to the UIL 6A state championship… Played AAU with Southern Assault.
 
Personal: Volunteered with PALS, counseling children.
 
Why Yale? "Because on my visit, I was treated like family."
 
Favorite Athlete: Tyrese Haliburton
Favorite NBA Team: Dallas Mavericks
Favorite Movie: 21 Jump Street/Peanuts Movie
Favorite Song or Artist: Michael Jackson
Gameday Superstition: Same set of stretches before every game
Biggest Inspiration: My father
 
Jeannot Basima
6-4, 190
Guard
Goma, Congo
John Carroll School
Global Squad
 
Before Yale: Averaged 15 points and seven rebounds at the John Carroll School in Maryland… In his career scored 1,516 points and grabbed 669 rebounds… Earned All-BCL and All-MIAA honors as a senior… Named to DMV Elite All-Maryland team… 2021 Plevak MVP, one of only four sophomores in BCL history… Two-time All-County selection… Helped lead John Carroll to the 2021 BCL Tournament championship… Played for Global Squad AAU team where he was the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year.
 
Personal: Returned home to Congo in the summer of 2023 for the first time in five years and hosted a basketball camp for children… Collected shoes, clothes, basketballs and gear to donate when he was back in Congo.
 
Why Yale? "Because it's one of the best universities in the world and it is a life changing opportunity not just for me but for my family and my community back home in Congo."
 
Favorite Athlete: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Favorite NBA Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Favorite Movie: Coming To America
Favorite Song or Artist: Gunna
Biggest Inspiration: My family, specifically my brother
 
Trevor Mullin
6-0, 175
Point Guard
Wellesley, Mass.
St. Sebastian's School
City Rocks
 
Before Yale: 2023 NEPSAC Class A Player of the Year at the St. Sebastian's School… Two-time Independent School League MVP (2022, 2023)… Scored more than 2,000 points in his career… Averaged 20 points, nine assists and five rebounds… Helped lead St. Sebastian's to a pair of ISL championships… Played AAU for City Rocks.
 
Personal: Sister Maddie played basketball at Brown (Class of 2023)… Sister Kate was a diver at Duke (Class of 2023)… Mother Katherine played soccer at Penn… For the past three years has participated in a shooting contest and all-star game for the A Shot For Life organization, which raises money for cancer research… Raised over $1000 each year.
 
Why Yale? "For its academic excellence, incredible faculty, and world-wide alumni network. In addition, I am excited to play for the strongest men's basketball team in the Ivy League and to be coached by the best of the best."
 
Favorite Athlete: Steph Curry
Favorite NBA Team: Boston Celtics
Favorite Movie: Interstellar
Favorite Song or Artist: Travis Scott
Gameday Superstition: Peanut butter and fluff sandwich
Biggest Inspiration: My grandfather Joe Ferrone (aka Pop)
 
Casey Simmons
6-6, 180
Forward
Milton, Mass.
Milton Academy
Mass Rivals
 
Notes: Transferred from Northwestern, where he played in 27 games and made seven starts in 2021-22, averaging 2.5 points, 0.5 assists and 1.5 rebounds per game … Started in his collegiate debut, scoring six points and grabbing three rebounds against Eastern Illinois…Scored a season-high nine points on 3-of-3 shooting against Fairleigh Dickinson.
 
High School: Rated as the No. 1 prospect in Massachusetts, No. 92 player in the country and a four-star recruit according to 247sports.com and ESPN … Two-time All-ISL and All-NEPSAC … Averaged 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists in the 2019-20 season … Has played AAU for the Mass Rivals for four years.
 
Personal:  Father ran track at Princeton.
 
Why Yale? "Because it is a great environment where I can thrive as an athlete and student."
 
Favorite Athlete: Jaylen Brown
Favorite NBA Team: Boston Celtics
Favorite Movie: LaLa Land
Favorite Song or Artist: J Cole
Biggest Inspiration: Jesus Christ