Ole Miss Men’s Basketball Adds 7-Footer Stefan Cicic from Pepperdine to Bolster Frontcourt

OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss men’s basketball continues to reshape its roster under head coach Chris Beard, adding size to the frontcourt with the commitment of Pepperdine transfer center Stefan Cicic.

Ole Miss has signed Pepperdine center transfer Stefan Cicic, @chris_hummer and I have learned.

7-foot, 260-pounder who made five starts as a redshirt freshman last season. pic.twitter.com/b6nESGfPAH

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) April 28, 2026

The 7-foot big man brings both length and developmental upside to Oxford after spending last season with the Waves, where he carved out a role off the bench during his redshirt freshman campaign. Cicic averaged 4.5 points and 2.6 rebounds in just over 12 minutes per game, showing flashes of efficiency and touch around the rim.

Before his time at Pepperdine, Cicic began his college career at Tulane, appearing in three games before ultimately finding a better opportunity for growth on the West Coast. Now, he heads to Ole Miss as part of Beard’s continued effort to build depth and versatility in the post.

Cicic’s addition addresses a clear need for size and interior presence. At 7 feet tall, he gives the Rebels a true center option — something that can be invaluable in SEC play, where physicality in the paint often dictates success.

While his college production is still developing, Cicic’s high school résumé points to a player with significant upside. A three-star prospect out of Riverside Brookfield High School in Illinois, he was ranked among the top players in the state and one of the top centers nationally in his class.

Cicic put together a dominant senior season, averaging 19 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks per game while shooting an impressive 66.7 percent from the field. He led Riverside Brookfield to a 26-5 record and earned Class 4A All-State honors, capping off a decorated two-year stretch.

During his final two seasons, Cicic totaled 1,313 points, earned back-to-back Metro Suburban Conference MVP honors, and helped guide his team to consecutive conference championships. His combination of size, efficiency, and rebounding ability made him one of the most productive big men in Illinois.

Now at Ole Miss, Cicic steps into a system that values defensive intensity and positional versatility. Beard’s scheme demands physicality, rim protection, and the ability to impact the game without needing high-volume touches — traits that align well with Cicic’s profile.

With continued development, Cicic has the tools to grow into a meaningful contributor in the Rebels’ rotation. His size alone presents matchup challenges, and if he can continue to expand his offensive game while anchoring the paint defensively, he could become a valuable piece for Ole Miss moving forward.

As Beard continues to build his roster through the transfer portal, Cicic represents another calculated addition — one that brings both immediate depth and long-term potential to the Rebels’ frontcourt.