Grand Canyon University’s Christian values inspire a sense of purpose among players and staff, driving their success on and off the court. (Photo by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)
PHOENIX – Many in the college basketball world refer to March as “madness,” but for Grand Canyon men’s basketball, the more fitting word to describe the month is “dominance.”
The 2025 Lopes will compete in their third consecutive NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament after winning the WAC championship for the fourth time in five years, thanks in large part to this year’s graduating class. The Lopes face No. 4 Maryland in the first round Friday.
GCU seniors receive a framed jersey on Senior Night, March 6, 2025, commemorating their collegiate journey. (Photo by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)
The Lopes seniors make up five of the team’s top seven leading scorers. Seniors JaKobe Coles (14.8), Tyon Grant-Foster (14.5) and Ray Harrison (11.6) are the top three leading scorers.
On March 6, behind Coles’ 19 points, GCU defeated Utah Tech 90-68 on Senior Night, sending the Trailblazers to their 13th consecutive loss and extending GCU’s winning streak to six games. Coles added five rebounds, while Harrison finished with 13 points and four steals.
Left: GCU senior JaKobe Coles, right, shares a moment with teammate Caleb Shaw after their Senior Night win. Center: Ray Harrison, GCU’s longest-tenured player, takes on a Utah Tech defender in his third season with the Lopes on March 6, 2025. Right: Tyon Grant-Foster, coming off a remarkable season, looks to make another significant impact in March for GCU. (Photos by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)
Lopes coach Bryce Drew made an immediate impact on the program after replacing Phoenix Suns legend Dan Majerle in 2020. Drew coached Grand Canyon to its first WAC championship in school history, earning their first trip to the Big Dance, where the No. 15 Lopes fell to No. 2 Iowa.
Two years later, during the 2022-23 season, GCU was the preseason favorite to win the WAC but had a largely poor regular season and finished fifth in the WAC standings. GCU then turned a corner and won four straight games to capture the WAC championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament, where Gonzaga defeated them in Denver. Harrison finished the game with 20 points.
GCU senior guard Ray Harrison leads the Lopes in minutes, threes, assists, and free throw percentage, earning him the title of “head of the snake.” (Photos by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)
GCU senior guard Ray Harrison leads the Lopes in minutes, threes, assists, and free throw percentage, earning him the title of “head of the snake.” (Photos by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)
Last season, the Lopes finished with a school-record 30–5 mark and won the program’s first NCAA Tournament game. As the 12-seed, the Lopes defeated fifth-seeded Saint Mary’s. The current GCU seniors, then juniors, combined for 55 of the team’s 75 total points in their nine-point victory over the Gaels.
Collin Moore plays a crucial role in GCU’s success with his defensive prowess over two seasons.
After transferring from Oregon, senior Lok Wur is having a standout final season with GCU. (Photos by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)
Left: Collin Moore plays a crucial role in GCU’s success with his defensive prowess over two seasons. Right: After transferring from Oregon, senior Lok Wur is having a standout final season with GCU. (Photos by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)
PHOTO 8 (727), 9 (562) (Ray, Collin, Lok)
In the 2nd round, GCU lost to eventual Final Four qualifier Alabama after GCU had taken a lead with less than six minutes remaining behind Grant-Foster’s 29 points.
Known as the “Biggest Party in College Basketball,” GCU fans, or the Havocs, fill the stands with energy and passion for the men’s and women’s programs.
In honor of the graduating seniors, GCU seniors receive a gift of a framed jersey to celebrate their accomplishments. (Photos by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)
Left: Known as the “Biggest Party in College Basketball,” GCU fans, or the Havocs, fill the stands with energy and passion for the men’s and women’s programs. Right: In honor of the graduating seniors, GCU seniors receive a gift of a framed jersey to celebrate their accomplishments. (Photos by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)
On Senior Night, GCU highlighted the players who were monumental in putting GCU on the national map and turning them into a force to be reckoned with when the three-time defending WAC tournament champs take the floor Friday.
Let the madness, or dominance. begin.
GCU staff and players look on as a senior tribute video plays on the big screen after their home win against Utah Valley on March 6.
A fan favorite, GCU senior Jason Amador walks off the home court for the final time on March 6. Amador received a crown on Senior Night as a special gesture to recognize his value to the program. (Photos by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)
Left: GCU staff and players look on as a senior tribute video plays on the big screen after their home win against Utah Valley on March 6. Right: A fan favorite, GCU senior Jason Amador walks off the home court for the final time on March 6. Amador received a crown on Senior Night as a special gesture to recognize his value to the program. (Photos by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)
Spencer Barnes expects to graduate in Fall 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in sports journalism. Barnes contributes to Blaze Radio Sports and the Walter Cronkite Sports Network, where he photographs basketball, football and other Arizona State events. Barnes is also a full-time team photographer for a semi-pro basketball team in Mesa.