{"id":324735,"date":"2025-10-22T20:47:12","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T20:47:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/324735\/"},"modified":"2025-10-22T20:47:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T20:47:12","slug":"why-two-texas-state-basketball-freshmen-will-contribute-immediately","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/324735\/","title":{"rendered":"Why two Texas State basketball freshmen will contribute immediately"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Texas State men\u2019s basketball<\/a> roster underwent a complete facelift in the offseason, with 12 new players and only three returners. Coach Terrence Johnson said Wednesday he\u2019s excited for the upcoming season, but he\u2019s still learning everyone\u2019s middle names.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Wait. What about their, you know, first and last names?<\/p>\n

\u201cWe like to joke around here. We like to call them by their middle name when they least expect it,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n

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In that case, Johnson will have to memorize a lot more middle names as the seasons go on. The modern era of college basketball brings an unprecedented level of player movement \u2014 it wouldn\u2019t be surprising if the Bobcats fielded another roster filled with fresh names next season.<\/p>\n

However, despite intriguing transfer portal commitments, Texas State\u2019s most exciting additions came the traditional way \u2014 through high school recruiting.<\/p>\n

MORE:<\/strong> Texas State men’s basketball guards selected to preseason All-Sun Belt teams<\/a><\/p>\n

Three-star forwards DJ Hall and Robert Fields are the top two recruits in Texas State history, according to 247Sports<\/a>. Hall hails from Plano East High School, where he finished as the program\u2019s all-time leading scorer, averaging nearly 24 points as a senior. Fields graduated from McDonogh School in Maryland, averaging 17 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks per game in his senior season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Johnson said he and his staff identified the freshmen as consistent winners who can contribute immediately.<\/p>\n

“These guys are made of the right stuff. They’re winners. So we do expect both of them to play right away,” Johnson said.<\/p>\n

\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas State Bobcats head coach Terrence Johnson talks to his players during the second half of an NCAA game against the Rice Owls at Tudor Fieldhouse on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, in Houston.<\/p>\n

Godofredo A. V\u00e1squez\/Staff photographer<\/p>\n

Although their talent is part of that reasoning, another potential factor is Texas State’s decision to invest heavily in its guard depth through the portal. Senior Mark Drone and junior Kaden Gumbs were preseason All-Sun Belt team selections at guard,<\/a> but Johnson said offseason losses led to the Bobcats bolstering the position.<\/p>\n

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Senior Jalen Bolden started 32 games at ULM last year, averaging 13.2 points, 6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Fifth-year senior Kyndall Davis started 18 games at Louisiana, collecting 5.5 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. Cameron Simpson redshirted at UCF but brings great size at 6-foot-7. And while Jaelyn Lee only played 18 games over two years at Texas A&M, the former walk-on eventually earned a scholarship at one of the top Division I programs in Texas.<\/p>\n

The extra bodies should help the Bobcats weather any potential injuries and create healthy competition in practice.<\/p>\n

“One of the strengths is the fact that we have depth, and that’s something that we haven’t had in a while,” Johnson said. “It was by design to get some better guards … I love our talent level and I love our depth.”<\/p>\n

With no returning all-conference player in the Sun Belt, Johnson said the league is “up for grabs.” He believes Texas State can make some waves within the conference, but he also acknowledged that the program is on the precipice of something big.<\/p>\n

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The Bobcats will join the Pac-12 in 2026.<\/a> In the new conference reside programs such as Gonzaga, San Diego State and Colorado State \u2014 teams that regularly make the NCAA Tournament. Texas State will undergo some growing pains as the competition rises, but the Pac-12 offers potential that was previously unavailable.<\/p>\n

“It’s been a topic of a lot of discussion,” Johnson said. “Whether I’m pumping as or trying to run through the airport. A lot of people are excited about what’s to come.”<\/p>\n

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