According to Draft Express, Ole Miss Rebels guard Patton Pinkins will return to Oxford for the 2026-27 season after announcing his intentions to rejoin the program next year.
Pinkins is coming off a true rookie season in which he scored 10. 6 points per game while shooting 41% from three-point range in Southeastern Conference action.
The 6-foot-5 19-year-old appeared in 19 games during the Rebels’ SEC schedule, swiftly establishing himself as an essential retention component for Ole Miss this summer.
In addition to Pinkins stating his desire to return for the 2026-27 season, Ole Miss will retain standout guard Ilias Kamardine, who has already announced his intentions this offseason.
Kamardine joined Ole Miss last summer after flying to Oxford from France, where he averaged 11. 3 points, 3. 8 assists, and 3. 4 rebounds per game in his first season with the program.
The outstanding guard shot 42% from the field, averaging 15-plus points in double-digit instances while establishing himself as an important piece of the Rebels’ lineup.
Now, with Pinkins and Kamardine both scheduled to return to Oxford for the next season, Beard and Co. will continue their squad revamp with the Transfer Portal officially open for business on Tuesday, April 7.
“That’s a valid question. “Probably not in the headspace to respond that completely right now,” Beard said at the end of the 2025-26 season. “Obviously, in college basketball, players choose to go elsewhere and return.
Each member of our team will have the chance to make this decision. It will be their choice. It will be a conversation to guarantee that both parties agree.
“Whether or not we coach these athletes next year, our connection with them is just getting started. That is one thing you can count on from our program: we will have your back for the rest of your lives. Hopefully, these individuals will outlive me by a million years. We’ll have their backs until the day I’m no longer here. ”
