NEW HAVEN, Conn. –  James Jones, the Joel E. Smilow '54 Head Coach of Men's Basketball, will welcome six newcomers to the program this fall. Jack Louridas, Chris Bolte, Connor May, Brady Wooley, Jonas Oware, and Tim Winkler all bring strong credentials on and off the court.
 
"I'm excited about our incoming class, said Jones. "We have a well-balanced group and at least one player that can help us at each position."
 
All six join a team coming off a memorable 2025-26 season. The Bulldogs finished with a 24-6 overall record, the most wins in the program's modern era, and an 11-3 Ivy League mark, securing their second consecutive Ivy League title. Yale also made its third-ever NIT appearance and hosted a game in the tournament in John J. Lee Amphitheater for the first time.

 


Chris Bolte
Forward
6-6 | 210
Burr Ridge, Ill.
Saint Ignatius College Prep
 
Before Yale: Four-year letterwinner…Finished career with 1,348 points, 775 rebounds and 212 assists…Averaged 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game as a senior while shooting 61% from the field and 46% from three…All-State selection as a junior and senior…All-Conference honoree as a junior and senior…All-City and All-Area selection as a senior…Team captain and Male Athlete of the Year as a senior…Led team to Regional and Sectional Championships as a senior…Won the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic Championship as a senior and the Windy City Turkey Classic Championship as a junior and senior…National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society member as a junior and senior…Chicago Catholic League All-Academic Team selection as a sophomore, junior and senior…Earned Honors with Distinction for six semesters.
 
Personal: Son of Kimberley Peirce…Has an older brother playing basketball at Hillsdale College in Michigan and a twin brother who is the captain of his Special Olympics basketball team.
 
Why Yale? "On top of the historic buildings and the great facilities, what I like most about Yale are the people. Whether it is the students, coaches, professors, or those heavily involved with Yale, I couldn't help but notice the genuine passion and driven nature everybody displayed, no matter their pursuits. With that, I appreciate the connectivity and collaboration embedded within the environment Yale creates, and I truly appreciate the opportunity to call Yale home."
 
Jones on Bolte: "Chris is a combo guard/forward with a high basketball IQ and tremendous versatility. He's an unselfish player who can score at all three levels, and he's a great teammate who consistently puts the team first."
 



Jack Louridas
Guard
6-3 | 195
Bethlehem, N.Y.
Albany Academy
 
Before Yale: Four-year basketball letterwinner…1,500+ point scorer…First Team All-NEPSAC selection…Earned All-Conference, All-State, and All-Region honors…Helped team reach the playoffs in its first year in a new league…Won NYSAIS Class A Championship as a sophomore and junior.
 
Personal: Son of Aaron and Jaime Louridas…Has a sister that played basketball at Navy…Dad also played at NYU.
 
Why Yale? "I wanted something more than a D1 experience. I wanted to push myself both academically and physically in my sport to become the best version of myself."
 
Jones on Louridas: "Jack is a shooting guard with unlimited range accuracy. Beyond his shooting and scoring ability, he's a well-rounded scorer, a hard worker, and a dedicated teammate."
 



Connor May
Forward
6-6 | 215
Palatine, Ill.
Palatine High School / Washington University (St. Louis)
 
Before Yale: NABC Third Team All-America selection in 2025–26… D3hoops.com First Team All-Region 8… NABC First Team All-District 8… First Team All-UAA… Averaged a team-best 17.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while totaling 53 assists, 37 steals, and 27 blocks… Recorded four double-doubles and scored a career-high 30 points at NYU on Feb. 20, 2026… Named to the Hope's Glenn Van Wieren Classic All-Tournament Team… Earned UAA Rookie of the Year and All-UAA Honorable Mention honors in 2024–25 after averaging 11.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, leading the team with 20 blocks and ranking second with 31 steals… Shot 46.9% from the field and 42.0% from three-point range as a freshman… Four-year basketball and football letterwinner at Palatine High School… Two-time all-conference selection, two-time conference MVP, and two-time all-state honoree… Finished as the school's all-time leading scorer while helping lead the program to two conference and regional championships, a sectional title, a super sectional championship, and a fourth-place finish in the state tournament… Member of the National Honor Society.
 
Personal: Son of Matt and Laura May…Is the oldest of four with two younger brothers named Brady and Kasey, and one younger sister named Katie.
 
Why Yale? "The relationships I have built with the players and coaching staff made Yale the right place for me. I want to be part of a competitive culture where athletes push themselves to be the best. Yale also gives my family the opportunity to be present and continue supporting me throughout my journey. It is an incredible school with the culture I want to be a part of."
 
Jones on May: "Connor will bring experience, size and a history of success to our program. He has a high basketball IQ and will be able to stretch the floor from the post position."
 



Jonas Oware
Center
6-10 | 215
Long Beach, Calif.
Long Beach Polytechnic
 
Before Yale: Four-year varsity letterwinner and team captain at Long Beach Polytechnic High School… Scored more than 1,000 career points, averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds during his senior season… Three-time All-Moore League First Team selection… Helped lead Long Beach Polytechnic to Moore League championships in 2024 and 2025…Valedictorian…Principal's Honor Roll…Recipient of the Student Athlete Pursuit of Excellence Award.
 
Personal: Son of Janet Hund and Joseph Opokuware…Mom played basketball at Wichita State…Younger brother is currently a sophomore in high school playing basketball.
 
Why Yale? "I chose Yale because of the winning culture, experienced coaching staff, and high academic prestige."
 
Jones on Oware: "Jonas is an athletic forward/center who makes an impact on both ends of the floor. He's an excellent shot blocker and has the ability to score both from beyond the arc and at the rim."
 



Tim Winkler
Forward
6-10 | 215
Orlando, Fla.
Oak Ridge
 
Before Yale: National Honor Society member…Super Scholar…Recipient of the Most Likely to Succeed Award at Oak Ridge High School…Earned Third Team All-State honors.
 
Personal: Son of Kelly and Timothy Winkler…Has a sister that plays volleyball.
 
Why Yale? "The greatest fulfillment of my basketball and academic journey."
 
Jones on Winkler: "Tim is an athletic forward/center who always puts the team first. He's an unselfish player who will do whatever it takes to help his team succeed. His versatility allows him to score from beyond the arc as well as finish effectively at the rim."
 



Brady Wooley
Forward
6-9 | 205
Orono, MN.
Orono High School
 
Before Yale: Four-year letterwinner who established himself as one of Minnesota's top players, finishing his high school career as the No. 1 ranked prospect in the state while averaging 18 points and 11 rebounds per game and eclipsing the 1,000-point milestone…Earned All-Conference, All-State, and All-Region honors, including First Team Defensive All-State recognition and All-State Honorable Mention accolades…Named a Mr. Basketball finalist and selected to the All-Tournament Team…Helped lead his program to three Section Championships, three State Tournament appearances, two third-place state finishes, and a State Consolation Championship…Excelled beyond athletics as an AP Scholar with Distinction, Triple A Award recipient, Jake Anderson Memorial Scholarship recipient, and National Honor Society member…Also served as a Unified Basketball coach, mentoring multiple Special Olympics teams, while earning four varsity letters in basketball and one in football.
 
Personal: Son of Robin and Lori Wooley…Loves to make music on his computer…Plays the saxophone, piano and guitar in free time…Volunteers to train young athletes.
 
Why Yale? "I love the environment as well as the coaching staff and players!"
 
Jones on Wooley: "Brady is an extremely versatile guard/forward with the ability to play either position. He's added significant size and strength over the past year and will be counted on to make an impact on both ends of the floor."