WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic University men's basketball team will enter the 2026-27 season ranked No. 13 in the nation, as announced Tuesday in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) NCAA Division II Preseason Top 25 Poll. This is the first time in PBA's DII-era that the 'Fish enter the season in the top 25.

The Sailfish received 164 points in the preseason rankings, placing them among the nation's top teams following a historic 2025-26 campaign. PBA finished last season with a 26-6 overall record, setting a program record for wins in the NCAA Division II era, and went 16-4 in Sunshine State Conference play.

Under head coach Cole Rose, the Sailfish finished second in the SSC standings and advanced to the conference tournament championship game. PBA also earned a berth in the NCAA Division II South Region tournament, marking the second regional appearance in program history. The Sailfish climbed as high as No. 3 in the national rankings last season after defeating this year's preseason no. 2-team, SSC foe Nova Southeastern.

PBA returns several key contributors from last year's squad, including Christian Kirkland, Ty Burton and Graham Worland. Kirkland earned All-SSC Defensive Team honors after setting a PBA Division II-era single-season record with 56 blocks. Worland averaged 10.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, while Burton added 9.5 points per contest. The 'Fish brought in Camerin James from Keiser University, who earned NAIA all-American honors last season.

The national ranking follows another strong preseason recognition for the Sailfish, who were selected second in the 2026-27 SSC Preseason Coaches' Poll, trailing only Nova Southeastern.

Palm Beach Atlantic opens the 2026-27 season Friday, Nov. 13, against Trevecca Nazarene at the South Region Crossover hosted by Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Sailfish will continue the opening weekend Saturday, Nov. 14, against Morehouse.