UNM continued its international roster build Wednesday with the addition of Italian forward Federico Grani, a 6-foot-9 rim protector who brings professional experience and frontcourt depth to Eric Olen’s second roster in Albuquerque. Grani averaged 7.9 points and 6.1 rebounds for Moncada Energy Agrigento in Italy’s Serie B Girone A league in 2025-26, showing a physical interior game built around finishing at the rim and low-post scoring. Defensively, he averaged 1.2 blocks per game, including a five-block outing, highlighting his shot-altering presence. While his perimeter shooting remains limited, Grani adds size, rebounding and experience to a developing Lobos frontcourt. He joins a growing group of European players under Olen’s staff as roster construction continues.

UNM men’s basketball added size and rim protection with the commitment of 6-foot-9 forward AJ Pierre-Jerome from Butler Community College. Pierre-Jerome averaged 6.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and led Butler with 32 blocks during the 2025-26 season, earning All-KJCCC Honorable Mention honors. The redshirt sophomore is expected to enter New Mexico as a junior and fills a major need for a Lobos team that ranked 259th nationally in blocks per game last season.

Pierre-Jerome’s game projects as an energy big who can run the floor, finish above the rim and defend the paint. While his back-to-the-basket style and inconsistent 3-point shooting may create questions about his fit in Eric Olen’s offense, his length and shot-blocking ability address a major weakness from last season. Olen recently acknowledged how difficult it is to acquire rim protection in today’s transfer portal market, making Pierre-Jerome a potentially valuable addition.

Defense set the tone during New Mexico’s spring scrimmage, as the Lobos showed flashes of a unit preparing for increased expectations in 2026. While a long run from transfer Cameron Matthews provided one of the day’s offensive highlights, consistent stops and pressure disrupted rhythm throughout the scrimmage. With the quarterback battle between Luke Moga and Toa Fa’avae still unsettled and Jack Layne sidelined, the defense took advantage of offensive inconsistency. Jason Eck stressed that after surprising teams last season, New Mexico must now rely on discipline and execution—areas where the defense appears poised to lead early progress.

The New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball program has dramatically reshaped its roster, highlighted by the addition of German big man Fynn Lastring. Lastring, an 18-year-old stretch forward, brings size, shooting ability, and international experience from Germany’s ProA and ProB leagues, where he showed efficiency as a rebounder and perimeter shooter. He is expected to fill a major void in the post after UNM lost all three frontcourt players. Lastring’s addition puts the Lobos roster currently at at 10 players for the 2025-26 season.

UNM men's basketball added a true all-around contributor in transfer forward Rytis Petraitis for the 2025–26 season. Known for his versatility, Petraitis impacts nearly every facet of the game, combining scoring, rebounding, passing and defense into one package. The 6-foot-7 forward has produced as a primary option at Air Force and adapted to a complementary role at Cal, showcasing his flexibility. He can create offense, attack the rim, facilitate for teammates and disrupt defensively with steals. If healthy, Petraitis’ ability to fill multiple roles should make him a valuable piece and a seamless fit in UNM’s system.