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.

UNM men’s basketball has quickly reshaped its roster, adding key returners and four new players, capped off by the signing of 6-foot-8 Swedish forward Tunde Vahlberg Fasasi. The experienced transfer brings three years of Division I play at La Salle and William & Mary, where he averaged 11.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 35% from three last season. Known for his versatility and defensive ability, Fasasi is expected to provide immediate impact. The Lobos also received a major boost with the return of Mountain West Freshman of the Year Jake Hall, giving the Lobos a strong start to rebuilding the roster for 2026-27.

UNM men’s basketball added a key piece for its future, landing 3-star combo guard Dax Hall while uncertainty continues around his older brother Jake. Dax brings a contrasting style, thriving as a slashing playmaker who attacks the rim and creates for teammates rather than relying on perimeter shooting. The CIF San Diego Section Player of the Year starred at Santa Fe Christian, averaging 27 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. He finished with 1,957 career points and showed all-around impact, including strong defense and multiple double-doubles and triple-doubles. Confident in his leadership, Hall prides himself on winning, passing, and defensive intensity.

Eric Olen’s quiet approach is yielding loud results for UNM men’s basketball. The Lobos secured a major commitment from Hudson Mayes, an explosive 6-foot-5 guard from UC San Diego. Mayes, a Big West Honorable Mention who averaged 11.1 points and 5.7 rebounds, chose New Mexico over Power 4 interest from programs like Baylor and Syracuse.The backcourt also received a veteran boost as senior Chris Howell was granted a medical redshirt following a successful NCAA appeal. Meanwhile, UNM women’s basketball continues its rebuild, as coach Amy Eagan signed junior guard Gracy Wernli, marking her second transfer addition from Lindenwood this off-season.

UNM men’s basketball may have found a key addition in the transfer portal with former St. John’s forward Imran Suljanovic. The 6-foot-8 Austrian originally committed to Rick Pitino but missed last season due to a dislocated patella. Prior to that setback, he emerged as a rising prospect in Europe, highlighted by a strong performance at the 2024 FIBA U18 tournament, where he averaged over 22 points per game. Suljanovic has also played professionally in Italy and debuted for Austria’s senior national team. Though he’s been away from competition, his size, shooting ability, and versatility give him intriguing upside for UNM.

New UNM women’s basketball coach Amy Eagan wasted no time beginning her roster rebuild, securing four players for 2026–27, including standout freshman Laila Abdurraqib and freshman guard Valerie Norwood who will follow her from Lindenwood. Meanwhile, former Eldorado standout Bella Hines entered the transfer portal, drawing local interest but likely commanding a high NIL price. On the men’s side, UNM has had a quiet stretch, adding just two players while reportedly targeting Penn State’s Eli Rice and Troy’s Victor Valdes as the staff looks to add size, athleticism, and depth through the portal.

The opening day of the NCAA transfer portal brought a mix of stability, uncertainty, and optimism for New Mexico men’s basketball. The Lobos secured the return of freshman guard Uriah Tenette, who emerged as a key playmaker and late-season breakout after stepping into a larger role. Mountain West Freshman of the Year Jake Hall also provided encouraging signs he may remain in Albuquerque, signaling that UNM could retain its promising young backcourt. However, potential departures and roster turnover leave significant work ahead. With multiple holes to fill, the Lobos must build around Tenette and Hall by adding size, shooting, and depth.

Benjamin Schuch brings size, versatility, and international experience to UNM men's basketball as the program begins to reshape its roster. The 6-foot-9 Austrian guard/forward has shown playmaking ability at both the club and national levels, highlighted by a clutch performance in FIBA World Cup qualifying round. His length could help address UNM’s defensive shortcomings, particularly around the rim. Still, with major frontcourt departures of Tomislav Buljan and JT Rock, questions remain about rebounding, physicality, and shooting consistency outside of Jake Hall as the Lobos continue to rebuild through the transfer portal or with players from overseas.

INDIANAPOLIS, IA—New Mexico’s season came to a disappointing end with a 74–69 loss to Tulsa in the NIT semifinals, as defensive lapses and cold shooting proved too much to overcome. The Lobos struggled to contest Tulsa’s early three-point barrage and never fully adjusted, while shooting just 7-of-33 from deep themselves. Despite a strong second half from Jake Hall and a brief comeback to tie the game, UNM faltered late as Tulsa closed on a decisive 8-0 run that would be the difference in the game. The loss not only ended the Lobos’ postseason run but also raised questions about roster decisions, player futures, and the program’s direction moving forward.

INDIANAPOLIS, IA—UNM men’s basketball will take on Tulsa in the NIT semifinal at Hinkle Fieldhouse with a trip to the championship on the line. The Golden Hurricane (29-7) bring one of the nation’s top offenses, averaging nearly 85 points per game behind elite three-point shooting. For the Lobos, success will hinge on limiting clean perimeter looks and disrupting Tulsa’s rhythm with defensive pressure. Offensively, UNM can exploit Tulsa’s lack of rim protection by attacking the paint. If the Lobos control tempo and win inside, they’ll have a strong chance to advance.

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—In their final game at the Pit this season, UNM rallied from a two-point halftime deficit to defeat St. Joseph’s 84–69 in the NIT quarterfinal. Tomislav Buljan led the Lobos with 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Jake Hall added 24 points and set the Mountain West freshman scoring record. After struggling offensively in the first half, UNM attacked the basket and dominated the free throw line in the second, going 18-of-22. St. Joseph’s cooled off from three-point range after halftime, helping UNM pull away. The Lobos now advance to face Tulsa in the NIT semifinal in Indianapolis.

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—Shorthanded but unfazed, UNM men’s basketball delivered another dominating NIT performance in an 86-61 win over George Washington to advance to the NIT Quarterfinal. Without starting guard Deyton Albury and with Antonio Chol playing through injury, the Lobos leaned on depth, defense, and a dominant second-half surge to take control. Jake Hall sparked a decisive 10-0 run, while freshman Uriah Tenette continued his steady rise at point guard to finish with 15 points, six assists and no turnovers. Now, UNM turns its attention to St. Joesph’s, who came back from 19-point deficit at Cal and won 76-75. Tipoff is at 7 pm MT and the game will air on ESPN 2.

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—UNM opened its NIT run in dominant fashion, rolling past Sam Houston 107–83 at the Pit in front of 7,286 fans. The Lobos showcased a complete performance, using defensive pressure to fuel a fast-paced offense that scored 26 fastbreak points and eclipsed 100 points with still four and a half minutes to play. Tomislav Buljan led the way with a 22 point and 10 rebound double-double, while Uriah Tenette added a career-high 20 points. UNM controlled the game from the start, building a double-digit lead early and pulling away with a decisive second-half run. With the win, the Lobos advance to face George Washington in the second round of the NIT on Sunday.

New Mexico’s postseason continues Wednesday night as the Lobos host Sam Houston in the first round of the NIT at the Pit. UNM earned one of four No. 1 seeds in the 32-team tournament after falling short of an NCAA Tournament bid. The Bearkats bring an up-tempo offense that averages 82 points per game and shoots nearly 40 percent from three-point range, while also ranking among the nation’s top offensive rebounding teams. Sam Houston finished second in Conference USA and has won six of its last nine games. The Lobos could host a second-round game Sunday with a win if scheduling allows.

LAS VEGAS, NV—Heartbreak in Las Vegas: Free Throw Woes and Missed Layups Doomed the Lobos

Basketball is often a game of inches, but for the University of New Mexico, it was a game of missed opportunities at the stripe and the rim. Despite a heroic 20-point performance from Deyton Albury, the Lobos’ Mountain West Tournament run came to a screeching halt in a 64–62 semi-final loss to San Diego State.

In a contest decided by a single possession, UNM’s inability to capitalize on the "easy" shots proved fatal. The Lobos left 13 points at the free-throw line, shooting a season-low 53.6%, and struggled to finish through the Aztecs' length, converting only 9-of-26 layups. While Albury’s late-game surge tied the score in the final minute, history repeated itself as SDSU’s BJ Davis buried yet another game-winner, mirroring his late-game heroics from earlier this season.

LAS VEGAS, NV—Aggies Smother Wolf Pack to Secure Title Berth. Utah State doesn’t just play downhill, they play like an avalanche. After a gritty first half left the Aggies clinging to a 39-32 lead, the air in the arena shifted. What followed wasn’t just a scoring run; it was a defensive masterclass. Utah State unleashed a relentless blitz to open the second period, forcing eight quick turnovers and fueling a decisive 18-5 run that turned a contest into a coronation. As the lead swelled, the deafening chants of “Up by 20” from The Hurd served as the funeral march for Nevada’s season.

LAS VEGAS, NV—New Mexico Lobos men's basketball advanced to the Mountain West Tournament semifinals with a 93–77 win over the San Jose State Spartans men's basketball, using a dominant second half to pull away. San Jose State stayed close early behind hot three-point shooting from guard Colby Garland and Jermaine Washington, but the Spartans faded as the game wore on after a physically demanding opening-round win the night before. New Mexico turned up its defensive pressure after halftime and controlled the paint, outscoring San Jose State 56–24 inside. Tomislav Buljan led the Lobos with 25 points and 14 rebounds, while Jake Hall added 19 points. New Mexico will face San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball in the semifinals.