FAIRBANKS - The Nanooks men's basketball team has announced the signing of Ethen Stoddard, a 6-8 center from Orem, Utah. Stoddard joins the Nanooks after a season with Utah State Eastern in Price, Utah. He attended Orem High School before joining Utah State Eastern.

"With the signing of 6'8" Ethen Stoddard, we will finally look like a basketball team on the court and in the airport," said head coach Frank Ostanik. "Finding players with size is challenging simply because we have been unyielding in our desire to find players who are also athletic, have good feet, and are good human beings. With Ethen, we found a player who has the total package. I expect Ethen to immediately make an impact at the offensive and defensive end of the court."

Stoddard was a member of the 2025-26 Utah State Eastern men's basketball team that finished 22-9, 9-6 SWAC, and qualified for the Region 18 Tournament. He played in all 31 games, recording 510 total minutes (16.5/game) and posting 6.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Stoddard was efficient around the hoop, shooting 62.1% from the floor (90-145). All 11 of his starts came in conference play. He played in all 15 conference games and produced well; he averaged 8.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game against SWAC opponents. He added 13 steals and 12 blocks in conference play while shooting 60.5% from the floor (52-86) and playing 19.7 minutes per game. On Jan. 31, 2026, he recorded a career-high 16 points on 7-11 shooting in a 70-63 victory over North Idaho College. He added five boards and a steal in the win. 

"We are especially excited that we are getting a young man who is 22 years old and only a sophomore," added Ostanik. "While we are excited with where Ethen is as a player, we are even more thrilled with his potential to grow and become better over his three years in our program. Our program has taken a big step forward with the signing of Ethen, on the court and in the locker room as well."

Additional signings will be announced this week. 

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