Good news for Aztecs: Gwath returns and a big transfer commits

Driving the news: Late Tuesday, the Aztecs standout 7-foot redshirt freshman Magoon Gwath announced his return to the Mesa next season, the Union-Tribune reported.

• Gwath won Mountain West defensive player of the year averaging 2.6 blocks per game and drew NBA attention while shooting 38% from three.
• He could still declare for the NBA Draft, but turned down millions in potential NIL dollars, and a widely speculated transfer to Kentucky.

And then: Wednesday morning, the U-T reported Louisiana Tech point guard Sean Newman Jr. committed to transfer to SDSU.

• Newman Jr. was third in the nation in assists last year, averaging 7.9 per game.
• The pass-first point guard slots into the role vacated when Nick Boyd, the team's leader in points and assists last year, entered the transfer portal, where he's been pursued by both UNC and Wisconsin.

State of play: The Aztecs earlier this week also landed a transfer commitment from Jeremiah Oden, a 6'-9" forward who has played three seasons at Wyoming before playing at DePaul last year.

What we're watching: The biggest remaining decision for the 2025-26 Aztecs lies with sophomore guard Miles Byrd, who announced on X that he's exploring the NBA Draft but has maintained his NCAA eligibility.

• The team will also welcome back Reese Waters, a pre-season Mountain West all-conference selection who missed what would have been his senior season with a stress fracture in his foot.