Khaden Bennett Becomes Fourth Cowboy to Recommit to Program

LARAMIE -- "We're missing our tough-minded winner."

Not anymore.

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In another made-for-Hollywood social media video produced by the school, Wyoming head coach Sundance Wicks uttered that first sentence aloud to a pair of his assistants before the following announcement was made: Khaden Bennett is back.

The Cowboys' fourth-leading scorer, who averaged 10.2 points per game, is the fourth player to recommit to the program this April, joining sophomores Naz Meyer, Gavin Gores and senior Uriyah Rojas.

Bennett, a 6-foot-4 guard who started 32-of-33 games last year, will cap his career in Laramie after spending his first two collegiate seasons at Quinnipiac.

The Mansfield, Texas product was one of the main reasons for the Cowboys' turnaround in 2025-26, sparking an offense that averaged nearly 77 points a night. Bennett reached double figures 14 times last winter, including in five straight Mountain West tilts.

Though he scored a career-high 27 points in a home win over Nevada, arguably his most impressive overall showing came during a 68-57 victory over Border War rival Colorado State. That day inside the Arena-Auditorium, Bennett poured in 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including drilling six triples on eight attempts. He added 10 rebounds, two assists and three steals.

"That game, for him, was the coming-out party, to be honest with you," Wicks said last February. "I think sometimes a game like that gives a guy super confidence in what you're capable of doing at this level ... I get goosebumps talking about him. He's the hardest playing guy. I mean, every time he comes out for starting lineup, I say, 'You're the hardest playing guy I know.' I don't know if I've ever seen a guy play harder and want it more than what he did tonight."

What was the secret to success in that one?

"I think, I just continue to put in the work in and eventually it has to happen for me," Bennett said postgame. "Then, obviously my teammates continue to trust in me."

Wyoming has lost four members of last year's roster to free agency. Guard Damarion Dennis was the first to announce his departure. Adam Harakow came next. In the last two days, forwards Abou Magassa and Simm-Marten Saadi have followed suit.

Wicks and Co. have already inked one player on the open market, bringing in Michael Mora, a 6-foot-6 forward, who spent last season at Cal State Monterey where he averaged 17.2 points per game.

Wyoming will also welcome incoming freshmen Madden Smiley (Windsor, Colo.) and Chris Pohl (Marshfield, Wisc.) into the fold this summer.