Full Breakdown
Tyler Junior College Trio Joins UTRGV Vaqueros Men’s Basketball
6/19/2026, 3:24:36 AM
Transfer Overview
Three Tyler Junior College athletes—forward Caden Bell, guard Chris Uwayo and forward Josiah Hill—have transferred to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros basketball program. Their move follows former Tyler head coach Mitch Marquis, a Region 14 Coach of the Year who has joined UTRGV as an assistant. The trio arrived as the Vaqueros prepare for the upcoming Division I season.
Recruitment Background
UTRGV’s staff sought players with proven winning experience. Associate head coach Shawn Forrest said the staff prioritized athletes who had already earned championships and could contribute immediately. Marquis’s move to UTRGV reinforced the decision, giving the players continuity with a familiar coach.
Key Players and Coaching Personnel
Caden Bell joins as a JUCO All-American forward noted for size and scoring. Guard Chris Uwayo is a junior point guard praised for playmaking. Redshirt junior forward Josiah Hill adds frontcourt physicality. Associate head coach Shawn Forrest oversees development; head coach Brandon Chambers manages integration. Former Tyler coach Mitch Marquis now serves as an assistant.
Quantitative Profile
- Three transfers join the roster.
- One JUCO All-American (Bell).
- Two guards (Uwayo) and two forwards (Bell, Hill).
- All three have played together for two seasons at Tyler Junior College.
Program Impact and Expected Contributions
Coaches expect the trio’s existing chemistry to produce early on-court cohesion. Their junior-college experience should add physicality, a competitive mindset and a “will to win” that fits the program’s recent building blocks. The players are confident their familiarity will give UTRGV an advantage.
Official Statements & Responses
Associate head coach Shawn Forrest said recruitment focused on experience and prior success. Head coach Brandon Chambers called the newcomers high-character athletes who quickly absorb the system. Guard Chris Uwayo praised the welcoming atmosphere in the Rio Grande Valley, noting the community makes players feel at home. Forward Josiah Hill emphasized that the trio’s chemistry will be beneficial this season.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We liked what each one brought to the table. Caden JUCO All American, Chris' point guard abilities, Josiah's size and obviously all three of them have won. That was a big thing for what Coach Chambers and our staff was trying to look for. Guys that were winners that had a little bit of experience,” — Shawn Forrest, Associate Head Coach, UTRGV
- “Having the guys that I've spent the last two years with at a new school especially with new teammates has been fun. We already have that chemistry so it's definitely going to be helpful in the long run,” — Josiah Hill, Redshirt Junior Forward, UTRGV
- “They're unbelievable kids. The core of them as people is very high and they've been sponges since they've been here,” — Brandon Chambers, Head Coach, UTRGV
- “We love each other," Uwayo said.” — Chris Uwayo, Junior Guard, UTRGV
Future Outlook
The trio plans to build on the program’s recent foundations, aiming to translate their shared experience into competitive performance as the Vaqueros progress through the season.
