Lots of movement in the Utah State basketball world, though much of it involves former star players. Volleyball released its full non-conference schedule, with men’s basketball getting another peek into the news by officially announcing participation in one of two planned multi-team events for the Aggies.
These are the mid-week headlines for Utah State athletics-related stories.
USU Volleyball releases non-conference schedule
The non-conference schedule for Utah State volleyball under first-year head coach Keith Smith will resemble many of those crafted by his predecessor. The Aggies are set to face an incredibly difficult 10-game slate that will feature last year’s national runner-up (Kentucky), with seven total teams on the list having participated in last year’s NCAA Tournament.
Utah State will also spend most of its time on the road, with only three home games (UCLA, Utah and Utah Valley). The Aggies will host Utah in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum on Sept. 11.
- Aug. 28 at Kentucky
- Aug. 29 vs Eastern Kentucky (Lexington, KY)
- Aug. 30 vs South Florida (Lexington, KY)
- Sept. 4 vs Iowa State (Santa Barbara, CA)
- Sept. 5 at UC Santa Barbara
- Sept. 9 vs UCLA
- Sept. 11 vs Utah
- Sept. 15 at Weber State
- Sept. 17 vs Utah Valley
- Sept. 19 at BYU
Justin Bean re-signs with Alba Berlin
Former USU star power forward Justin Bean is extending his tenure with German powerhouse club Alba Berlin. The reigning champions of the Basketball Bundesliga announced on Thursday that Bean is signing a three-year contract extension to stay with the club he has played for since 2023.
Just over a month ago, Bean helped Alba Berlin secure its 12th Bundesliga title in the club’s history. Bean averaged 13.6 points and 6.6 rebounds in the championship series against Bayern Munich, including 18 points with 12 rebounds and 5 assists in a decisive Game 5 in which Alba Berlin rallied from down 20 points to win. Bean was named the finals MVP for the series.
Justins Statement pic.twitter.com/yGnxZKUC7V
— ALBA BERLIN (@albaberlin) July 23, 2026
Darius Brown signs pro contract with Trento
Bean wasn’t the only former Aggie to sign a pro contract with a European team this week. Darius Brown signed with Italian club Aquila Basket Trento (also known as Dolomiti Energia Trento) as the team’s final roster acquisition ahead of EuroCup.
Brown most recently competed in the NBA Summer League for the Phoenix Suns. This after spending the last two years playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ G-League team, the Cleveland Charge. In 92 total appearances for the Charge, Brown averaged 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 1.9 steals. In the 2025-26 season, Brown led the G-League in assists per game (10.1) and set the Charge’s franchise record for single-game assists with 22. Brown got a brief call-up to the NBA when he signed a two-way contract with the Cavaliers, making one appearance in a game against the New York Knicks in which he played three minutes. He was waived by the Cavaliers in March.
USU Men’s Basketball officially announces participation in “Texas Legends” multi-team event
It had already been reported that Utah State men’s basketball would participate in a Dallas-area multi-team event. But on Wednesday, the athletics department made it official, while also giving us the name of this event. Utah State will travel to the Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas where it will participate in the Texas Legends College Classic. The event, taking place from Dec. 18-21, will feature eight teams, with each participant playing two games. Utah State will play Tulsa on Dec. 19 and then George Washington on Dec. 21.
