Firebirds Roster Update!

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With the Firebirds entering their first break of the 2026 season six games in, we wanted to take this opportunity to introduce two new players to our roster. Additionally, we want to tell you all about our return to Raleigh this upcoming week for our College Day game! Lastly, we’ll fill you in on all the game results since our last newsletter. Before that, let’s hear a word from today’s sponsor:

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Table of Contents

• 2026 Roster Announcements!

• Upcoming: College Day Game

• Season Update: Firebird’s 4-2 Start

2026 Roster Announcements!

The Firebirds are at the break and are 4-2 in the first six games of the 2026 season. We’ve wasted no time improving our roster and finalizing what looks to be a team that has a great chance to compete for the title! First by adding former NC State Wolfpack standout and overseas veteran Richard Howell. The final addition is a Durham native and Kansas St/NCCU star Dominique Sutton. These two seasoned veterans complement a front court that already includes 6 '9 Julian Gamble Durham native and University of Miami star and 6' 9 Darius Leonard from the University of Wake Forest. It's our first NCCU player and our first NC State player. All NC State students and NCCU students get in for Free!! All alums are half price (10.00). Learn more about this Fridays home game below, or for more info text 919-830-0305 or email [email protected].  Go to raleighfirebirds.net to get your tickets!

Upcoming: College Day Game

Join us Friday, April 10 at 7:00 PM for College Day at Chavis Memorial Park & Gymnasium as the Raleigh Firebirds celebrate the collegiate roots of our roster and special guests.

Event Details

- When: Friday, April 10 — 7:00 PM 

- Where: Chavis Memorial Park & Gymnasium  

- Featured: Head Coach Kenny Collins and St. Augustine’s University

Featured Players & Their Colleges

- Julian Gamble — University of Miami  

- Darius Leonard — Wake Forest University  

- Richard Howell — NC State University  

- Dominique Sutton — NCCU / Kansas State  

- Shykeef Daniels— Elizabeth City State University  

- Jake van der Heijden — Bucknell University  

- Tyrrel Tate — Fayetteville State University  

- Shaq Dance — Limestone University  

- DJ Thomas — Shaw University  

- Jerimiah Pope — Shaw University  

- Ahmad Abdullah — NC A&T  

- Daquon Antoine — Nichols College

Come out to show your school spirit, cheer on the Firebirds, and celebrate the players’ college legacies. Bring friends, wear your college colors, and be ready for a great night of basketball and community pride. All college students get in free!

Official Game Day Vendor : All on Top Dogz 🌭 

We are proud to announce All on Top Dogz as the official game day vendor for the College Day Game!

Season Update: Firebird’s 4-2 Start

After starting the season 3-1, the Raleigh Firebirds hosted the Fayetteville Liberty at our home nest! The Firebirds were able to earn themselves a tough fought victory against the Liberty, improving to 4-1.

Leading Performers:

Julian Gamble: 25 pts, 8 reb

DJ Thomas: 25 pts, 5 reb, 8 ast

Daquon Antoine: 25 pts, 5 reb

After their home victory against the Fayetteville Liberty, the Firebirds travel to the nations capital to play the DC Heat. The Firebirds fought hard, taking the game into an overtime period, but ultimately falling short and losing with the final score of 115-110.

Leading Performers:

Julian Gamble: 31 pts, 21 reb

Jeremiah Pope: 24 pts

DJ Thomas: 20 pts

Now sitting at 4-2, the Firebirds approach their College Day game where they will be hosting the a rematch against the Fayetteville Liberty. Join us April 10th at 7pm to watch this heated matchup, with all the game details in the college day game section of this newsletter.

Make sure to stay tuned for our next newsletter, as we have some exciting news coming up!

Until then,

-Nicky