According to reports, San Diego State Aztecs big player Magoon Gwath will be using the transfer portal for the second year in a row.
Although the 7-foot Gwath won’t be able to officially enter the portal until Tuesday, rumors started to circulate on Monday night.
Given that both Gwath and the Aztecs are coming off quite possibly the most disastrous season in program history, the move is hardly surprising.
The Aztecs, who came into the season with lofty hopes of a long NCAA Tournament run only to miss March Madness completely, are anticipated to undergo a complete overhaul in the offseason.
Forwards Miles Heide and Pharoh Compton are also expected to enter the portal, according to reports on Monday night. Guards Miles Byrd and BJ Davis have already declared their decision to do so.
Who is Magoon Gwath?
After the Aztecs were defeated by North Carolina in the First Four of the previous season, Byrd and Gwath withdrew from the NBA Draft in an attempt to make a deep NCAA run, which raised SDSU’s high expectations for the 2025–26 campaign.
Gwath’s 2025–26 season debut was postponed until the third game after he withdrew from the transfer portal and underwent surgery on his right knee in April.
Gwath’s breakout 2024–25 season, in which he was voted the Mountain West Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, raised hopes for him despite his recovery from surgery.
Despite coming on strong during the conference tournament, he never lived up to those expectations. The Aztecs advanced to the title game, but they were defeated by Utah State, denying the MW an automatic NCAA entry. Due to their poor resume, they were rejected for an at-large berth on Selection Sunday the following day and turned down invitations to the NIT and The Crown.
Due to a hip flexor injury, Gwath missed six starts throughout the midst of the MW schedule.
If he can maintain his health, he is still a fascinating player.
In his final press conference, coach Brian Dutcher stated, “You’re encouraged to think, if he can stay on this path and stay healthy, he’s going to have an opportunity to be special.” “Magoon seems to be improving his health, and we’ll see where that goes in his future—here at San Diego State or somewhere else.”
Of the 25 games played, Gwath only started 16. In 19 minutes, he averaged 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocked shots.
He was the highest-paid player at SDSU, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Gwath’s big season
He made 26 appearances, all of which were starts, and averaged 8.5 points during his breakout freshman campaign. 2.6 blocks and 5.2 rebounds in 24.9 minutes. His 68 blocked shots tied for 14th place on the Aztecs’ lifetime chart, set the program’s rookie record, and placed seventh on the single-season list.
Early in the fifth-to-last regular-season game, he suffered a right knee injury. Before making a comeback for SDSU’s defeat to UNC in the First Four, he missed the following four games as well as the team’s quarterfinal MW tournament loss to Boise State.
