KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island has added four players to its 2026-27 roster, picking up three veterans through the transfer portal plus one freshman for its incoming class.

Towson guard Dylan Williamson, UT Martin forward Matas Deniusas and UC Santa Barbara wing Jason Fontenet II all provide significant collegiate production to a squad that also returns six scholarship players from the 2025-26 season. The trio of transfers join returning starters Jonah Hinton and Jahmere Tripp, as well as big man Mouhamed Sow. Guards Jalen Harper and Barrett Loer are back after getting their feet wet as freshmen, while forward Javon Perry returns after redshirting as a freshman.

A fourth newcomer for Rhode Island next season will be freshman guard Steven Sherman out of Tennessee. Sherman is a Spring commit who gives the Rams four true freshmen for next season.

"This has been a very effective offseason for the program because we were able to focus on completing the roster, as opposed to starting from scratch," Rhode Island head coach Archie Miller said. "Bringing back six players who were in the program and retaining our freshman commitments from the Fall allowed us to be selective and focus on quality individuals who could fill specific needs."
 
An All-CAA Third Team selection this season, Williamson averaged 14.6 points, 3.4 assists and 2.5 rebounds while leading Towson to a 19-win season. He earned all-conference recognition in each of his three seasons with the Tigers, making the league's all-rookie team in 2023-24 and earning second team all-conference honors the following season. Williamson, a combo guard, was the first to make his commitment to Rhode Island public. 

Williamson become a 1,000-point scorer this season and has 1,326 points to his credit. A career 37.1 percent 3-point shooter, he has made 172 treys over the last two seasons, topping 80 makes from long range in back-to-back seasons. He led Towson to 61 wins over the last three seasons, with at least 19 victories all three years. He scored 25 points in Towson's victory over URI at the Terry's Chocolate ESPN Events Invitational last November.

"Dylan is a highly-productive player who has been a winner throughout his collegiate career," Miller said. "He can score, he can take care of the ball, and he can defend. He impacts the game in many different ways."

Next to join the fold was Deniusas, the 2026 Ohio Valley Conference Rookie of the Year for UT Martin. He started all 33 games while averaging 12.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. The Lithuanian scored in double digits 24 times as a freshman. He also averaged 1.6 assists per game, showing his court vision and ability to move the ball from the post.

An 11-time OVC Rookie of the Week, he was remarkably consistent for a true freshman. Deniusas hails from Vilnius, Lithuania, the same hometown as incoming freshman Nedas Raupelis. Deniusas took visits with Richmond and Minnesota after he entered the portal, and he also heard from Utah.

"Matas made an immediate impact as a true freshman for a 20-win team at UT Martin," Miller said. "His understanding of the game is impressive, and he has the athleticism to create matchup problems. He is still young. As strong a year as he had, he has plenty of room for his game to continue to grow. There is a lot to be excited about with his game." 

Guard Jason Fontenet II is a 6-6 wing from UC Santa Barbara with a high ceiling. He averaged 9.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists as a sophomore while leading the Gauchos to a 21-13 record. His performance led to Fontenet being named to the league's 2025-26 preseason all-conference team. However, an injury ended his season after just five games. Fontenet is fully recovered and chose Rhode Island after also hearing from the likes of Nevada, St. Mary's and Utah State when he entered the portal.

"Jason is a strong, physical player who was poised for a true breakout season," Miller said. "He is an excellent defensive player who can neutralize opposing players and defend one through four. He missed the bulk of this year with an injury, so he is a bit under the radar. But this is a proven player who will be a significant contributor on both ends of the floor."

A 6-2 guard, Sherman earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association DII-AA All-State honors. He also was an All-615 Prep Large Class First Team selection.

"Steven is a late addition to our freshman class," Miller said. "He has explosive quickness and can get to the basket. He gives us depth in the backcourt as someone who can handle the ball or be a scorer when needed."

Sherman joins a highly-talented freshman class that also includes point guard, Jaen Chatman and forwards Nedas Raupelis and Tim Martin. Chatman, Raupelis and Martin signed with the program last November.