Lyndonville, VT - A pair of in-state guards, Hayden Lutz (Bristol, VT) and Ollie Kelley (Springfield, VT), have deposited and committed to the Vermont State University Lyndon men's basketball program for the Fall 2026 semester.  Lutz will study Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Leadership, while Kelley will study Exercise Science with a concentration in Pre-Physical/Occupational Therapy.

Lutz, a 2025 graduate of Mount Abraham Union High School in Bristol, VT, transferrs to Lyndon from Vermont State University Castleton, where the 6'2" guard played in 2025-26.  Prior to that, Lutz was a three-year varsity player at Mount Abraham.  He averagedd 17 points per game for the Eagles as a senior and earned Lake Division 2nd Team All-League honors as both a junior and a senior and Honorable Mention honors as a sophomore.  He was also a member of Mount Abraham's 2024 Vermont Principals Association Division III state champion lacrosse team.  Lutz excelled in the classroom as well as a high honors student in his final three years of high school.

VTSU Lyndon head men's basketball coach David Pasiak sees Lutz's year of exerience as a plus as he integrates into the Hornet program.  "Having already been through a college season, Hayden comes in having an understanding of what's involved in competing at this level.  After a very solid high school career, I think that as much as anything he's looking for an opportunity in a new program and culture.  Hayden is a versatile player who plays with a lot of energy.  I'm looking forward to him bringing that energy and experience to our program."

Kelley, a 5'10" guard, helped lead Springfield to their best season in recent history in 2025-26, as the Cosmos advanced to the VPA Division 2 State Quarterfinals.  He averaged 19.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game as a senior, earning him a Southern Vermont League C Division Honorable Mention All-League selection.  Kelley was a multi-sport athlete in high school, as he was also a member of the Cosmo soccer and track & field teams.  He earned SVL Honorable Mention honors in soccer.  This year he was also the recipient of Springfield's Athletic Director's Dedication & Commitment Award.

Pasiak feels that Kelley's ability to shoot the ball will be an asset for the Hornets as Kelley makes the adjustment to the speed and physicality of the college game.  "In high school, Ollie showed that he could be an explosive scorer, as he put up some big numbers in several games.  He's an efficient shooter and scorer who also plays with a great deal of energy.  He has a great work ethic, which should help him to grow as a player and take his game to the college level."

Lutz and Kelley join  Connor van der Sommen (Sidney, NY) and Henri Emenau (Montreal, QC), Jayden Deleon (Harpursville, NY), Daniel Forde (Apopka, FL) and Andre Ferguson (Vero Beach, FL) in Lyndon's Fall 2026 class.