FAIRBANKS - The Alaska Nanooks men's basketball program has announced its first signing of the 2026-27 season in Leyton Nield. Nield, a 6-4 guard/forward from Fairbanks, has spent the past two seasons at Mt. Hood Community College in the Northwest Athletic Conference.

"We are very excited to bring another local basketball player back to the University of Alaska," said head coach Frank Ostanik. "Leyton is a complete player who has the ability to really impact both ends of the floor. His efficiency at the offensive end is something we are really excited about."

Nield attended West Valley High School in Fairbanks, graduating in 2024. In his first season at Mt. Hood, he suited up in 26 games and started in 21. Nield averaged 8.7 points per game in 25 minutes of action, shooting 41.6% from the field. The freshman posted 3.8 rebounds per game, 1.2 assists per game and averaged a steal per contest. He cracked the 10-point mark 12 times in his first season with the Saints, scoring a season-high 17 on Feb. 1, 2025, vs. Umpqua.

He upped his scoring output during his sophomore season, putting up 16.1 points per game in 24 contests while shooting an efficient 51.8% from the field. He also averaged 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game in 2025-26. Nield scored at least 10 points in all but five games he played this past season, and posted 20+ seven times. He tallied a career-high 31 points in a contest vs. Walla Walla on Dec. 28, 2025, going 13-20 from the field, and grabbing seven rebounds. He ended the season as a member of the NWAC South Region All Defensive Team.

"Leyton embodies every aspect of what we want our program to be," added Ostanik. "He is tough, physical and he plays with great energy and effort. I have no doubt that he will make us better on and off the court and fit in very well with our current roster."

Additional signings will be announced throughout the coming months.

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