Youthful Cowboys Look To Prove Themselves in 2026

STILLWATER - Oklahoma State's men's tennis program is one on the rise and they will look to prove that with Saturday's start to the 2026 season.

Head coach Dustin Taylor brings a squad full of youthful energy represented across the globe. From Australia to Tulsa, the Cowboys have the junior experience to win now, while keeping the youth needed for the program to grow.

Senior Alessio Basile headlines the group of returning Cowboys. Basile has been with the Cowboys for the entirety of the Taylor era and will become his first four-year player. The Belgium native comes back to Stillwater with professional experience, taking on his first ATP event this fall in his home country.

Juniors Derek Pham and Nicolas Kobelt look to build on promising 2024-25 campaigns. Pham is coming off a successful fall, highlighted by his UTR win in Stillwater back in November, while Kobelt took home a doubles title and singles runner-up at the Cowboy Classic.

Ian Bracks, the local kid born in Tulsa, is one of the foundation pieces for the Cowboys. Ranked as one of the highest recruits in the state of Oklahoma, Bracks showed growth during his freshman year and will look to follow it up with a stellar sophomore campaign.

Fellow sophomores Thomas Gadecki and Ben Stecker return to Oklahoma State with ample experience. Gadecki took home valuable doubles experience in 2025, playing in 18 doubles matches, primarily with Bracks. Stecker returns to Stillwater following a successful freshman season, winning more than half of his singles and doubles matches.

Taylor brings in three newcomers to the squad, all with proven talent across the world. Freshmen Charlie Valentine and Haydar Gokpinar have been working all fall to get to that collegiate level, highlighted by semifinal appearances at both UTR Stillwater events this season.

The final piece for Cowboy tennis comes from Georgia Southern transfer Aaron Williams. The Germany native and All-Sun Belt singles and doubles honoree joins the Cowboys and will make an impact immediately. Williams has over 100 total collegiate matches played, winning 68 total matches during his first three years with Georgia Southern, the most total wins on the squad.

This is Oklahoma State Tennis. Join the Cowboys on the journey by following @CowboyTennis on socials and on okstate.com.

Oklahoma State University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Alessio Basile

Ian Bracks

Thomas Gadecki

Haydar Gokpinar

Nicolas Kobelt

Derek Pham

Ben Stecker

Charlie Valentine

Aaron Williams

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