UNM Turns the Page on JT Rock, Tomislav Buljan Exits with Addition of Austrian Playmaker Benjamin Schuch
Newly announced UNM commit Benjamin Schuch shoots a 3-pointer during practice for Spanish Basketball Club Zentro Zan Jorge Basket Madrid on Feb. 15. Photo courtesy of Zentro.Basket Instagram Page.
Change came fast for UNM men's basketball to start the offseason—and so did its response.
As the program works to replace nearly half its roster, the Lobos announced the addition of Austrian forward/guard Benjamin Schuch, a 6-foot-9 European prospect whose unique blend of size and playmaking ability offers an intriguing building block for the future under Eric Olen.
Schuch recently played for the Austrian National Team in the FIBA World Cup Qualifier against Netherlands on March 1st. He helped lead a late second half comeback with Austria trailing 87-82 with less than a minute—Schuch buried one of two 3-pointers late that would prove to be the difference and give Austria an 88-87 win.
During the 2025-26 EuroLeague season, Schuch suited up for Zentro San Jorge Basket Madrid. Zentro plays in the Spanish Terreca FEB, which is the fourth tier level in the Spanish Basketball league system. Schuch played in 23 games between October 4 and March 27, 2026, averaging 10.1 points, 6 rebounds and 5.1 assists.
Schuch’s most impressive stretch came last summer when he played in the FIBA U20 for Austria and averaged 13.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game. He shot only 24% from the 3-point line.
Schuch looks to be the traditional skilled European player, with a unique combination of shooting and playmaking that begins with his ability to attack the basket off the dribble and finish, or make plays for others. He improved his 3-point shooting percentage to a less than stellar 29.5% for Club Zentro shooting about four 3-pointers per game, but his 6-foot-9 frame, high basketball IQ and ability to see over defenders make him an intriguing fit in Olen’s system.
Rebounding, Rim Protection, Free Throws
UNM said good bye to its front court with 6-foot-9 forward Tomislav Buljan and 7-foot-1 center JT Rock announcing their intention to get into the transfer portal.
Buljan accounted for more than ¼ of UNM’s total rebounds with 360 total on the season, while JT Rock added another 3.5 rebounds per game. Together, the two were responsible for 40% of UNM’s rebounding. With Seniors Luke Haupt and Deyton Albury exhausting eligibility, the Lobos have lost their top four rebounders from last season and will have huge holes to fill in the middle for team that averaged just under 37 rebounds per game despite being tapped as “small” at the beginning of the season.
Schuch will provide some rebounding at 6-foot-9, but his weight as of last summer was listed at only 185 pounds and he looks to be more of a guard than a forward. Compare that to Buljan who was listed at 250 lbs, and JT Rock, who was listed at 255 lbs. Schuch will be playing a different position, and UNM needs to find frontcourt replacements who are a true inside presence.
UNM lacked rim protection this season. Rock led the team with 0.9 blocks per game and Buljan despite being a freak athlete on the glass, averaged only 0.5 blocks per game.
Schuch averaged 1.1 blocks per game for Club Zentro, and his 6-foot-9 frame and long wingspan may help UNM protect the rim on drives better than it did last season.
Rock and Buljan were two of the worst free throw shooters on UNM’s roster in 2025-26. Buljan was particularly bad, shooting more free throws than anyone on the team at 160 on the season and shooting only 60%. Critical misses against Nevada on the road and San Diego State in the MWC semi-final to name a few, were daggers for UNM in close games. Rock was not much better at 64%, but did not get to the line nearly as often playing less than 13 minutes per game.
Schuch was 65% for Club Zentro last season, so knocking down free throws is an area he can improve.
Tavid Johnson a guard from San Diego’s Parker High School is the only other UNM commit as of Monday evening. Johnson has committed for the 2027 season.
