CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Austin Peay men’s basketball team had an incredible 2025-26 season. The team achieved its most wins since the 2018-19 season, and they won their first regular season title since 2008. Now, the team has announced that two of its top players, Rashaud Marshall and Zyree Collins, are returning for the 2026-27 season.

The team released a video on social media announcing the news. Veteran guard Quan Lax also appeared in the video and announced his return, but shortly thereafter, he seemingly changed his mind and proceeded to enter the transfer portal.

The Austin Peay men's basketball team beat Stetson 69-60 on March 6, 2026, in the quarterfinals of the ASUN Basketball Tournament, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. Photo by Casey Crigger, APSU Athletics.
The Austin Peay men’s basketball team beat Stetson 69-60 on March 6, 2026, in the quarterfinals of the ASUN Basketball Tournament, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. Photo by Casey Crigger, APSU Athletics.

As a result, Marshall and Collins are currently the only Govs in line to return from the 2025-26 roster. Collin Parker, Matt Enright, Creighton Morisch and Anton Brookshire are out of eligibility, while Lax, Tate McCubbin, Tyler Wagner, Ja’Corey Robinson and Travis Torain have all entered the transfer portal.

Parker will be a big loss as the forward averaged a team-high 17.6 points per game in his lone season with the Govs. Brookshire will also be missed as he was a beloved figure in the locker room who averaged 8.4 points per game and shot 37% from three.

Impact of Rashaud Marshall, Zyree Collins staying

Keeping Marshall and Collins, however, is absolutely huge for the Govs as they head into the 2026-27 season.

Marshall averaged 16.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and just under one block per game this past season. Meanwhile, Collins, as a true freshman, averaged 13.5 points, 4.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game. After the season, Marshall earned Second Team All-ASUN honors, while Collins earned ASUN Freshman of the Year honors and was a Third Team All-ASUN selection.

The Govs now have several roster spots to fill before the 2026-27 season gets underway. But, unlike many other mid-major teams, at least the Govs have two of their top contributors back in the fold. The Govs also have a solid recruiting class of freshman coming in, which features three-star prospects Bradley Floyd and Talon Todd, among others.

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