GREENVILLE, S.C. – Furman head men's tennis coach J.J. Whitlinger has announced the addition of two newcomers who will be joining the Paladins starting with the 2026-27 season.

The 2026-27 newcomers consist of Bardo Bucknell and Graham Powers. The duo hails from the states of Texas and North Carolina, respectively.

"We can't wait to get back to campus for the fall and have our new freshmen, Bardo and Graham, join us," said Whitlinger. "They both represent who we want to be as a program: hungry, eager, and excited to be a part of the Furman community. My favorite time of the year is when the new recruits get to campus, and we get to work with them and see them compete in the fall. I expect both to make solid contributions to our team over the coming years."

Bucknell is a native of Houston, Texas, and attended ICL Academy.  He was both a J60 doubles champion and singles finalist while recording two USTA Level 4 victories and playing in the finals of USTA Level 3. Bucknell picked up wins over a top 50 and top 100 player nationally. As a freshman, he placed second in the state tournament. Bucknell competed in the championship match of the 2023 Bobby Curtis Doubles Sectional Championship and advanced to the third/fourth place match of the 2025 Bobby Curtis Doubles Junior State Championships. He is the son of Justin Bucknell and Samantha Leslie. His cousin, Charles Sagoe Jr., currently plays in the English Premier League for Arsenal.

Powers attended Hickory High School in Hickory, N.C. A three-year team captain, Powers was named WFAC Player of the Year three times and garnered four all-conference citations. He was voted team MVP three times and garnered first team all-state honors twice. Powers won back-to-back state doubles championships during his freshman and sophomore seasons while producing two singles runner-up performances as a junior and senior. He also won a team state championship as a freshman. In Powers' senior campaign, Hickory received the dual team state championship sportsmanship award. He is the son of Nathan and Gina Powers.

The Paladins compiled an 8-15 overall record last season including a 4-3 mark in the Southern Conference. Furman, who produced four All-SoCon picks in 2025-26, returns a total of ten letterwinners to this year's squad.

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