Summer Workouts and Roster Changes
Cal’s men’s basketball team is currently in the midst of an eight‑week summer workout program that serves as the primary laboratory for a roster that has been completely reshaped.
Only one starter from last season returns, meaning the Bears must integrate a wave of newcomers, including four transfers who are slated to become starters for the 2026‑27 campaign.
Among those newcomers, Jake Wilkins and Amier Ali have drawn particular attention. Both players possess high‑upside talent but have yet to translate college experience into consistent production, and they will be expected to anchor the team’s offensive and defensive schemes.
Head coach Mark Madsen has repeatedly stressed that the summer sessions are crucial for building chemistry, especially given the high turnover that defines modern college basketball.
Madsen’s strategy involves introducing the team’s offensive and defensive principles early, allowing the new pieces to learn their roles before the official preseason.
Looking Ahead
If the chemistry forged in the gym translates into on‑court cohesion, the Bears could surprise a league that has written them off, turning a period of transition into a platform for unexpected success.