Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Men's Basketball Announces 2026 Signing Class
11/17/2025 4:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins announced the Wildcats' 2026 signing class, which includes center Symon Ghai (Tiam, South Sudan) and guard Jayden Hodge (Limburg, Belgium).
"We are very excited to announce the additions of Jayden Hodge and Symon Ghai to the Northwestern Basketball program," Collins said. "These are two young men that we identified early and prioritized in the recruiting process. They are both high-character, hard-working, team-first players that embody all of the qualities we want in our guys."
Symon Ghai | C | 7-2 | Tiam, South Sudan | Academy of Central Florida
Rated a three-star prospect, the No. 32 player in Florida and the No. 34 center in the country by 247Sports … Moved to the St. Louis area in the fall of 2022 to pursue a career in basketball after growing up in the East African country of South Sudan … Spent two seasons at St. John Vianney High School in Kirkwood, Missouri … Averaged 7.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game as a first-year … Averaged 10.9 points, 9.34 rebounds and 2.12 blocks per game as a sophomore … Transferred to the Academy of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, for his junior and senior seasons … Also played club basketball with the Gateway Knights Basketball Club and the Houston Hoops.
What Coach Collins is Saying: "Symon Ghai is one of the most rapidly improving players that I have seen over the past year. His work ethic, enthusiasm, and determination are all things that drew us to him right away. Symon brings tremendous size, length, and a high motor to the floor, which has made him a force in the paint on both ends of the court. We can't wait to get him to Evanston and watch his continued development in our program."
Jayden Hodge | G | 6-6 | Limburg, Belgium | Montverde Academy (Fla.)
Rated a four-star prospect, the No. 11 player in Florida and the No. 26 small forward in the country by 247Sports … According to 247Sports, is a top 100 player (63) and is the highest rated signee for Northwestern in the modern recruiting era ... Moved to New Jersey for high school after growing up in Belgium … Played early high school seasons at St. Rose High School in Belmar, N.J. … Logged 19 points and 10 rebounds in Shore Conference Tournament Championship game as a junior … Averaged 15.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game for Belgium in the 2024 FIBA U18 EuroBasket championship … Transferred to Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, for senior season … Son of former Old Dominion forward Odell Hodge.
What Coach Collins is Saying: "Jayden Hodge is an incredibly versatile player that can impact the game in many ways on both ends of the floor. He is a physical guard who can score, make plays for others, and defend and rebound at a high level. Most importantly, he is a tremendous teammate and winner. I am excited to see the impact he will make in our program right away."
"We are very excited to announce the additions of Jayden Hodge and Symon Ghai to the Northwestern Basketball program," Collins said. "These are two young men that we identified early and prioritized in the recruiting process. They are both high-character, hard-working, team-first players that embody all of the qualities we want in our guys."
Got our guys ?? @Jaydenhodge33 ?? @symon_ghai pic.twitter.com/RciEX1MTNr
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) November 19, 2025
Symon Ghai | C | 7-2 | Tiam, South Sudan | Academy of Central Florida
Rated a three-star prospect, the No. 32 player in Florida and the No. 34 center in the country by 247Sports … Moved to the St. Louis area in the fall of 2022 to pursue a career in basketball after growing up in the East African country of South Sudan … Spent two seasons at St. John Vianney High School in Kirkwood, Missouri … Averaged 7.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game as a first-year … Averaged 10.9 points, 9.34 rebounds and 2.12 blocks per game as a sophomore … Transferred to the Academy of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, for his junior and senior seasons … Also played club basketball with the Gateway Knights Basketball Club and the Houston Hoops.
What Coach Collins is Saying: "Symon Ghai is one of the most rapidly improving players that I have seen over the past year. His work ethic, enthusiasm, and determination are all things that drew us to him right away. Symon brings tremendous size, length, and a high motor to the floor, which has made him a force in the paint on both ends of the court. We can't wait to get him to Evanston and watch his continued development in our program."
Officially Official ??
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) November 18, 2025
Welcome aboard, @symon_ghai ?? pic.twitter.com/ka2Z8xiEV8
Jayden Hodge | G | 6-6 | Limburg, Belgium | Montverde Academy (Fla.)
Rated a four-star prospect, the No. 11 player in Florida and the No. 26 small forward in the country by 247Sports … According to 247Sports, is a top 100 player (63) and is the highest rated signee for Northwestern in the modern recruiting era ... Moved to New Jersey for high school after growing up in Belgium … Played early high school seasons at St. Rose High School in Belmar, N.J. … Logged 19 points and 10 rebounds in Shore Conference Tournament Championship game as a junior … Averaged 15.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game for Belgium in the 2024 FIBA U18 EuroBasket championship … Transferred to Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, for senior season … Son of former Old Dominion forward Odell Hodge.
What Coach Collins is Saying: "Jayden Hodge is an incredibly versatile player that can impact the game in many ways on both ends of the floor. He is a physical guard who can score, make plays for others, and defend and rebound at a high level. Most importantly, he is a tremendous teammate and winner. I am excited to see the impact he will make in our program right away."
It's official ??@Jaydenhodge33 is a Wildcat ?? pic.twitter.com/Ln2aZUYcpB
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) November 12, 2025
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