Eric Olen Sees Progress as New-Look Lobos Build Chemistry During Summer Workouts
One month into summer workouts, Eric Olen isn't focused on wins or rotations—he's focused on progress.
With nine newcomers, three returners and only eight hours of basketball instruction each week, the 2026-27 Lobos have spent the summer laying the foundation for Olen's second season. The process has been anything but smooth. The Lobos have yet to practice with a full roster after German center Fynn Lastring's arrival was delayed several weeks by visa issues, while William & Mary transfer forward Tunde Vahlberg Fasasi has recently missed time with the Swedish senior national team.
"…[W]e have not had a period with all of them," Olen said. "This summer has been a little bit of patchwork... but it's been good. We've been able to make some progress."
For Olen, that progress—not perfection—is the measure of a successful summer.
"…[W]ith the group that we have, can we get better every day?... I'd like to come out of the summer with a pretty good understanding of the fundamental kind of, default base things on both sides of the ball…Once we get the foundation in place, then we can start to experiment and expose them to different concepts."
The newest addition to that foundation is Lastring, the 6-foot-10 German center who finally joined the team last week after visa delays.
"I'm just happy to be here finally," Lastring said. "It took three or four weeks more than the other guys. But since then everything has been really good here. I'm just happy to be here now, to be able to practice…"
Lastring brings a different skill set than a traditional center. Last year in German pro leagues he shot over 40% from the 3-point line. On Tuesday, he described himself as a floor-spacing big who thrives in pick-and-pop situations.
"…I'm not a typical big-man," he said. "I can shoot the ball, pass the ball really good.” Later when confirming the confidence he has in his offensive game, Lastring said “I'm not just rolling and sealing and getting rebounds. Of course those are things I will do, but I would say I'm a different kind (of big-man). I mean I can shoot the ball, play off pick and pop, share the ball, that’s like my type of game.”
Olen believes that versatility fits perfectly with his system.
"Fynn is a really talented guy," Olen said. "Great size, understands the game, really shoots the basketball. He gives us kind of a different element with that shooting at that position that we're always looking for..."
Lastring isn't the only international newcomer expected to bolster UNM's rebuilt frontcourt.
Six-foot-nine Italian forward Federico Grani has spent the past month acclimating to college basketball after playing professionally in Italy, and believes his versatility can help immediately.
“I’m a very, you could say elastic player,” Grani said. “I can use most of my energy on defense... On offense, I’m a good finisher at the rim, a three-point shooter and occasionally also penetrate… I think I can help this team a lot.”
Grani has also been impressed by the talent around him, particularly returning standouts Jake Hall and Uriah Tenette.
Federico Grani looks onward as Jake Hall dribbles the ball during summer workouts. Photo courtesy of UNM Athletics.
"I think Jake’s shooting ability and Uriah;s athleticism are two of the things that impressed me the most so far," Grani said. "When I see such good guys and such good players next to me, it pushes me to do even better."
Lastring echoed that sentiment after experiencing his first American practice.
"I think all of the guys surprised me," he said. "…Jake's shooting, the other guys, how athletic they are—that's something new for me."
With only three returning players, Olen said Hall and Tenette have embraced a new responsibility this summer.
"…Its something we’ve talked to them about," Olen said. “Being vocal, getting out of their comfort zone in some areas to help other guys make progress is an area that they’re both understanding is needed from them and they’re certainly making an effort to do.”
The team's international makeup has also helped accelerate chemistry. Grani said many of the newcomers are adjusting to life in the United States together.
"A lot of guys, it's their first time in the U.S. too," Grani said. "We're all kind of new to this, and we stick together because of that.”
Lastring has leaned on fellow German-speaking teammates Imran Suljanovic and Benjamin Schuch during his transition.
"They help me a lot…" Lastring said. "We have a lot of international guys, and that's really cool for me."
While the roster continues to come together, Olen is also excited about what awaits this winter. New Mexico's non-conference schedule includes home games against St. Mary's, Utah State and rival New Mexico State, along with a return trip to Santa Clara and neutral-site opportunities against Boise State or Oregon State.
"I think we've been able to put together a good schedule," Olen said. "We have the potential to have six, maybe seven (Quad 1/Quad 2) opportunities in the nonconference…"
With a rebuilt roster, emerging leaders and a foundation still taking shape, Olen believes the Lobos' success this summer will ultimately be defined by one thing: the progress they make each day.
