Kodey Weary, the Hawks’ star forward from last season, made multiple stops in his basketball career. The next will land him in Central Florida, playing Division II basketball at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Embry-Riddle’s basketball team, the Eagles, competes in the Sunshine State Conference, which consists of 11 teams. The Eagles competed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Sun Conference from 1999 to 2015, winning nine regular-season conference titles and an NAIA national championship in 2000.
Embry-Riddle began competing in the SSC in the 2017-18 season. It had a rough start during the first three seasons, going 22-38 in conference play. The team did not to play in 2020 for the health and safety of its players. After the COVID-19 quarantine lifted, the Eagles went 24-10 and placed second in the conference — a change in direction for the program.
Weary attended three high schools before deciding to play his freshman season at Cal Poly Pomona in 2023. In limited runs with the Broncos, Weary showed flashes of being a contributor, but only played a season high of 29 minutes during his lone season at Pomona.
After bouncing back from Pomona, Weary spent a developmental season under LPC head coach James Giacomazzi, where Weary played an essential role for the Hawks. Weary was the team’s leading rebounder and second in scoring, earning first-team all-conference at the end of the season.
Weary’s absence will be felt by the Hawks next season, as his ability to guard any position, grab rebounds and score at any level will be put to use at Embry-Riddle.
“I want to give credit to coach James (Giacomazzi) for giving me the opportunity to play here and showcase what I can do and get on the radar for some coaches,” Weary said.
For a team that was in the top 10 for both field goal percentage and points per game last season, Weary was the second-leading scorer, providing scoring relief if leading scorer Jaden Woodard fell behind.
Weary will travel nearly 3,000 miles to play at Embry-Riddle, but he is optimistic that the new environment will be a great next step in his basketball career.
“The campus is beautiful,” Weary said. “The coaching staff are great people, very genuine. I feel like it’s going to be a great time there, and I believe I’m really gonna enjoy it.”
With his 6-foot-7 frame and long arms, he has great defense, rebounding ability and shooting ability — a special blend of skills that’s perfectly executed on the court. A grinder-type player, Weary has consistently grown both in physique and skill over the past few years.
From Bronco to Hawk and now an Eagle, Weary will bring the same energy and value to the program and locker room.
Although the Eagles only finished sixth in the conference for the 2025-26 season, there were some strong performances by notable players.
The Eagles’ point guard, Jared Berry, finished third in points per game in the conference and earned second-team SSC honors. Center Jack Klinger led all Division II teams in field goal percentage and third-team honors.
Berry and Klinger will be seniors next season, and if they stick around, they’ll make some noise with their new teammate while he makes his way to Florida from the Bay Area.
“I’ve been through adversity, and that’s gotten me here today,” Weary said. “I didn’t quit, and it’s only the beginning. I have to keep grinding, keep going, I’m not going to say I’m fully satisfied yet.”
Weary is another athlete that coach Giacomazzi can add to his list of players he helped ascend to the next level, further cementing his reputation as a developer.
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TOP PHOTO: Hawks sophomore Kody Weary will transfer to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a Division II men’s basketball program. (Photo by Ian Kapsalis/ The Express)
Carson Pfotenhauer is a staff writer for The Express. Follow him on Instagram @cjpfotie.
