NCAA Basketball: 20 early team winners of 2023 transfer portal offseason

12. New Mexico Lobos

Although they didn’t end up on the postseason bubble due to a late collapse, it was still a solid year for the program. And while they lost a couple of forwards, the Lobos are set to bring back two quality guards in Jaelen House and Jamal Mashburn, who combined to produce 38 ppg and 6.8 apg last season.

Joining those two in the backcourt is Jemarl Baker Jr., one of the longest-tenured players in NCAA Basketball. The former class of 2017 guard averaged a career-high 12.5 ppg and 2.9 apg at Fresno State, shooting 39% from the field. Baker had five games of at least 20 points, including 43 points against Chicago State, making 10/11 from three-point range.

The biggest additions were made via the frontcourt to replace Josiah Allick and Morris Udeze. Head coach Richard Pitino was able to get a key player from his father’s team at Iona in Nelly Junior Joseph, a multiple-time All-MAAC player coming off averaging 14.9 ppg and 9.3 rpg. The 6’9 forward had 10 straight double-doubles, as well as a 27-point and 11-rebound game against Marist.

Mustapha Amzil is a 6’10 stretch forward from Dayton, who averaged 9.3 ppg and 4.8 rpg. He’s a career 35% three-point shooter and had a 20-point game against SMU. It’s a roster that has a ton of offensive potential and from a talent standpoint, could be the team to beat in the Mountain West for next year.