Ole Miss basketball in 2025-26, in many ways, will go as Malik Dia and AJ Storr go. Just ask third-year head coach Chris Beard.
Ole Miss basketball in 2025-26, in many ways, will go as Malik Dia and AJ Storr go.
Just ask third-year Rebel head coach Chris Beard.
Dia is in his second season as a Rebel and fourth in college overall. Storr is a transfer from Kansas and will be playing for his fourth team in four seasons and eighth in eight if counting high school.
“We’re going to need AJ and Dia to have the best season they’ve ever had in basketball this year for us to do the things we’d like to do as a team,” Beard said. “That’s not pressure, that’s a privilege to be in this situation where a team is dependent on you to play well. That’s going to be a challenge, too, because AJ’s had some great seasons in college basketball. So has Dia. Thought Dia was a good player for us last year.
“But that’s the expectations for these guys. They’re obviously seniors on our team, last year of eligibility. Two players that were recruited in a very transparent way. I think they understand what they’re getting into. Everybody in our organization is dependent on these guys. Both of them have had good summers. I think there’s a lot of room for growth, a lot of room for improvement with both of them.”
Ole Miss wrapped its eight-week summer program last week.
The Rebels open the season November 3 against Southeast Louisiana. They also now know their 18-game SEC schedule. Ole Miss, which won 24 games last season and reached the Sweet 16, first travels to Oklahoma on January 3.
“Last summer I kind of came in with a different mentality, kind of proving myself on a team,” Dia said. “Kind of trying to stand out last summer was my thing. This summer it was kind of internal. Just reflecting on last season, figuring out how I can get teammates better. How I can get myself better. It starts with internal competition. It’s amazing to be here.”
Dia is just one of four returners for the Rebels. Storr was signed in an off-season transfer class ranked No. 16 in the country by On3.
Dia started all 36 games last season, posting 10.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He averaged 24.3 minutes in Ole Miss’ three NCAA Tournament games, including a high of 11 against Michigan State.
“I’d say I try to be a leader,” Dia said. “I’m not perfect. This is my first time doing this in my career. We all have our own little moments. Travis [Perry, Kentucky transfer guard] has stepped up to be a leader. I think it’s partially my job to help continue and build this culture to the new guys that have not been here. Just telling them how we do things, how we operate. If something comes out of line, just telling them we don’t do stuff like that. If they ever see me lacking they can do the same thing. That’s just building the culture and who we are.”
Storr started his career at St. John’s.
Storr averaged 6.1 points last season as a Jayhawk after putting up 16.8 as a sophomore at Wisconsin.
The addition of Storr helps off-set the scoring lost following the departures of Sean Pedulla, Matthew Murrell, Dre Davis and others.
“I’m just learning coach Beard and the program a lot,” Storr said. “Just the things that are important to him, which is details and intensity every day. You’ve just got to treat every day like it’s the last day you’re going to play basketball. That’s the mindset you’ve got to have every time you come on the floor. Just taking advantage of the moment [and] giving all your effort out there and paying attention to detail.”
Category: General Sports
