ITHACA, N.Y. — The Cornell men's basketball program has announced that seniors Josh Baldwin, Jake Fiegen, DJ Nix and Cooper Noard will serve as team captains for the 2025-26 season. The group brings experience, leadership and a deep understanding of the Big Red culture as Cornell looks to build on one of the most successful stretches in program history under second-year head coach Jon Jaques.

Baldwin brings resilience and perspective to the captaincy group after injuries sidelined him for much of the past two seasons. The swingman started the 2024-25 campaign strong before a season-ending injury, having appeared in 29 career contests. An energetic playmaker with strong defensive instincts, Baldwin's leadership and perseverance have made him a respected presence both on the court and in the locker room.

Fiegen, who reclassified as a senior for this upcoming year, has become a cornerstone of the Big Red's success . After a strong debut campaign, Fiegen enjoyed a breakout sophomore year in 2024-25, averaging 10.9 points and 3.7 rebounds while starting 28 games. A versatile scorer and reliable defender, he shot over 50 percent from the field and nearly 40 percent from 3-point range, recording 17 double-figure scoring efforts and several clutch performances - including a game-winning buzzer-beater against Samford.

Nix has developed into one of Cornell's most dependable contributors. The forward appeared in all 28 games last season, setting career highs across the board while averaging 3.4 points and 1.8 rebounds. Nix committed just three turnovers in 334 minutes of action. Known for his toughness, defensive energy and team-first mentality, Nix has seen action in 65 career contests with 13 starts.

Noard, an honorable mention All-Ivy League selection last season, solidified his reputation as one of the conference's elite shooters in 2024-25. He led the Ivy League and ranked among the nation's top 25 in 3-point percentage (.418) while averaging 13.2 points per game. Over three seasons, Noard has appeared in 75 contests, evolving from a reserve into one of the Big Red's most consistent offensive weapons and a trusted leader on both ends of the floor.

Cornell's success over the past four seasons includes four trips to the Ivy League Tournament, including a runner-up effort in 2025, two second-place regular season finishes, a 2024 appearance in the NIT and an impressive 72-41 overall record (34-22 Ivy). The Big Red has been even better the past two seasons with a 40-19 mark (20-8 Ivy), including an 18-11 mark a year ago in Jaques' first season at the helm of his alma mater.