SMALL FORWARD/WING
2022-23 players not returning: Sean Bairstow (Transferred to Virginia Commonwealth); Zee Hamoda (Transferred to Sacramento State)
Returning players: None
New faces in 2023-24:
Max Agbonkpolo 6’9″ 194 (247 4*) – University of Wyoming – (1 year to play 1)
2022-23 (Sr.) Stats: PPG: 5.4 FG%: 36.7 3PT%: 33.3 FT%: 68.8 REB: 2.8 AST: 0.8 STL: 0.6
2021-22 (Jr.) Stats: PPG: 7.7 FG%: 45.5 3PT%: 23.8 FT%: 71.4 REB: 3.5 AST: 0.7 STL: 0.5
2020-21 (So.) Stats: PPG: 3.8 FG%: 36.4 3PT%: 28.6 FT%: 69. 2 REB: 2.6 AST: 0.8 STL: 0.4
2019-20 (Fr.) Stats: PPG: 2.5 FG%: 31.7 3PT%: 33.3 FT%: 76.9 REB: 1.1 AST: 0.3 STL: 0.2
Original offers from: Arizona, Arizona St, Columbia, Gonzaga, Grand Canyon, Michigan, Rutgers, San Diego St, Santa Barbara, TCU, Texas, USC, Utah State, Virginia, Washington
https://247sports.com/player/max-agbonkpolo-46046275/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exhuPxu-AP0
Nigel Burris 6’7″ 224 (247 3*) – University of Idaho – (4 years to play 3)
2022-23 (Fr.) Stats: PPG: 8.8 FG%: 52.7 3PT%: 44.8 FT%: 87.0 REB: 5.0 AST: 0.5 STL: 0.5
Offers from: Bakersfield, Fullerton, Colorado St, Georgia, Grand Canyon, Montana, Montana St, Nevada, Oregon St, Pacific, Pepperdine, Portland, Riverside, San Diego, San Jose St, Tulsa, UC-San Diego, Washington St, Wyoming
https://247sports.com/player/nigel-burris-46097077/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hK3Xtv2jxqY
Garrison Phelps 6’6″ 192 (247 3*) – Link Year Academy, AZ
2022-23 (Prep.) Stats: PPG: — FG%: — 3PT%: — FT%: — REB: — AST: — STL: —
2021-22 (Sr.) Stats: PPG: 15.3 FG%: 58.0 3PT%: 37.0 FT%: 82.0 REB: 6.1 AST: 4.2 STL: 2.9
2020-21 (Jr.) Stats: PPG: — FG%: — 3PT%: — FT%: — REB: — AST: — STL: —
2019-20 (So.) Stats: PPG: — FG%: — 3PT%: — FT%: — REB: — AST: — STL: —
2018-19 (Fr.) Stats: PPG: — FG%: — 3PT%: — FT%: — REB: — AST: — STL: —
Offers from: Oakland, Missouri St, Montana, Southern Illinois, Texas St
https://247sports.com/player/garrison-phelps-46117505/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3oLsD1Yfys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQb3ZeZ0y7M
Josh Uduje 6’5″ 189 (NR) – Coastal Carolina University – (3 years to play 2)
2022-23 (So.) Stats: PPG: 13.3 FG%: 42.1 3PT%: 31.6 FT%: 90.5 REB: 3.9 AST: 1.2 STL: 1.3
2021-22 (Fr.) Stats: PPG: 6.8 FG%: 42.4 3PT%: 32.3 FT%: 65.0 REB: 2.8 AST: 0.7 STL: 0.6
Offers from: Arkansas St, Bakersfield, Boston University, California, Davidson, DePaul, Duquesne, East Carolina, Eastern Washington, Fullerton, George Mason, Georgia Tech, Grand Canyon, Hawaii, James Madison, Louisville, Loyola Marymount, Montana, Murray St, North Carolina-Wilmington, Oral Roberts, Oregon St, Providence, Rice, Richmond, Riverside, San Jose St, Santa Barbara, Seattle, Seton Hall, South Dakota, St. Bonaventure, St. John’s, Towson St, Tulane, Utah Valley, Vanderbilt, Virginia Commonwealth, Xavier
https://247sports.com/player/josh-uduje-46117640/
2023-24 OUTLOOK
JOSH UDUJE
Junior transfer Josh Uduje will begin this season as the starter at this spot. Uduje began his collegiate career at Coastal Carolina University and will have three years to complete his final two seasons of eligibility. According to 247 sports, Uduje was rated as a high 3* transfer, meaning he was nearly a 4* recruit upon making the decision to transfer. Once he hit the transfer portal, Uduje has a slew of offers pour in and he chose the Aggies over offers from Arkansas State, Bakersfield, Boston University, California, Davidson, DePaul, Duquesne, East Carolina, Eastern Washington, Fullerton, George Mason, Georgia Tech, Grand Canyon, Hawaii, James Madison, Louisville, Loyola Marymount, Montana, Murray State, North Carolina-Wilmington, Oral Roberts, Oregon State, Providence, Rice, Richmond, Riverside, San Jose State, Santa Barbara, Seattle, Seton Hall, South Dakota, Saint Bonaventure, Saint John’s, Towson State, Tulane, Utah Valley, Vanderbilt, Virginia Commonwealth, and Xavier. As a sophomore at Coastal Carolina in 2022-23, he appeared in 31 games. He averaged 13.3 points per game while shooting 42.1 percent from the floor, 31.6 percent from behind the 3-point line and he shot 90.5 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 3.9 boards, 1.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. As a true freshman in 2021-22, he appeared in 33 games. He averaged 6.8 points per game while shooting 42.4 percent from the floor, 32.3 percent from behind the 3-point line and he shot 65.0 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 2.8 boards, 0.7 assists, and 0.6 steals per game. One thing that stands out immediately to me, is that Uduje is built like a potential NBA player. His rare combination of speed and burst make is a tough player to track and contain. He excels at using a pump fake to move inside the 3-point line and hit the pull-up jumper. He is shifty enough to get himself a clean look at the basket and maneuver in the lane to get himself layups. He has a feather-soft shot that seems to just drop into the basket. He can hit the 3-ball with consistent ease, off the dribble or a screen. He is one of the polished scorers on this year’s squad. He is also an outstanding free throw shooter and when he gets to the line, it’s like giving him free points. His unique blend of athleticism, size, and speed will make him a solid defender at the mid-major level.
NIGEL BURRIS
Sophomore transfer Nigel Burris will begin the season as the primary backup at this spot. He COULD see some minutes at the power forward spot but right now I see him more as a “3” than a “4”. Burris began his collegiate career at the University of Idaho. Burris chose the Aggies over offers from Bakersfield, Fullerton, Colorado State, Georgia, Grand Canyon, Montana, Montana State, Nevada, Oregon State, Pacific, Pepperdine, Portland, Riverside, San Diego, San Jose State, Tulsa, UC-San Diego, Washington State, and Wyoming. Coming out of Arch Bishop Mitty High School (CA), Burris was ranked by 247 sports as the number 266 overall player in the country, the number 57 power forward, and the number 29 recruit in the State of California. However, it only took Burris one season of college basketball to improve his value as a recruit. According to 247 sports, when he entered the transfer portal, he was listed as the number 129 best transfer in the country and the number 29 power forward in the portal. As a true freshman at Idaho in 2022-23, he appeared in 32 games. He averaged 8.8 points per game while shooting 52.7 percent from the floor, 44.8 percent from behind the 3-point line and he shot 87.0 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 5.0 boards, 0.5 assists, and 0.5 steals per game. For his play last season, Burris was named the Big Sky Freshman of the Year. The M.O. of Burris is his ability to hit a high percentage of his shots. His offensive efficiency is nearly off the charts. He excels at a number of opportunities created within the flow of the offense. He can catch-and-shoot, take a pass off a screen to hit a jumper, dribble drive, and hit a pull-up jumper. He does a good job of tracking the ball in the air, hunting down a rebound, and getting to the rim for a put-back basket. As he continues his collegiate career he will become a better defender, which is a MUST under new Aggie Head Coach Danny Sprinkle. He is a strong player and is figuring out how to use that strength as a rebounder and a defender. His natural athletic ability and length are a huge plus that is going to allow him to keep up while he learns, adapts, and grows as a Mountain West Conference player.
GARRISON PHELPS
True Freshman Garrison Phelps will be battling for playing time. Phelps chose the Aggies over offers from Oakland, Missouri State, Montana, Southern Illinois, and Texas State. Phelps spent a season of post-graduate basketball at Link Year Prep Academy in Missouri. Prior to attending Link Year, Phelps spent his high school career at St. Mary’s High School (AZ). As a senior at St. Mary’s in 2022-23, he appeared in 27 games. He averaged 15.3 points per game while shooting 58.0 percent from the floor, 37.0 percent from behind the 3-point line and he shot 82.0 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 6.1 boards, 4.2 assists, and 2.9 steals per game. Coming out of St. Mary’s High School (AZ), Phelps was ranked by 247 sports as the number 242 overall player in the country, the number 57 shooting guard, and the number 8 recruit in the State of Arizona. Once the season begins Phelps will be a year older than most true freshmen and comes with the experience of playing top-flight prep basketball teams and junior colleges. The previous coaching staff described Phelps as having “San Diego State” type athleticism. Often that shines on the defensive side of the ball, which is where Phelps makes his money. As a senior, Phelps was named both the region and state Defensive Player of the Year and earned all-region, all-state, and all-Arizona honors. His length and range give him the ability to close down passing lanes. He has the body build of a player much older. The son of a college coach, it is clear that he has bought into a defense-first mentality. He has shown flashes of being able to score at all 3 levels on the floor, with much of his damage coming from close range and the free throw line. His quick first step allows him to blow by his defender and his ability to elevate and get to the rim shows he means business. He is a capable ball handler but that will not be a primary requirement for him. His solid height, great build, and explosive athleticism give him the makeup of a great-looking prospect for the Aggies.
MAX AGBONKPOLO
Graduate senior Max Agbonkpolo is working tirelessly to return from an injury suffered early on in preseason workouts. When Agbonkpolo returns from his injury and receives a clean bill of health, I believe he will elevate to starter status at this position and bump Josh Uduje over to the starting shooting guard spot. Agbonkpolo joins the Aggies for his final season of collegiate eligibility after playing last season at the University of Wyoming and playing his first three seasons at the University of Southern California (USC). As a senior at Wyoming in 2022-23, he appeared in 16 games. He averaged 5.4 points per game while shooting 36.7 percent from the floor, 33.3 percent from behind the 3-point line and he shot 68.8 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 2.8 boards, 0.8 assists, and 0.6 steals per game. As a junior at USC in 2021-22, he appeared in 33 games. He averaged 7.7 points per game while shooting 45.5 percent from the floor, 23.8 percent from behind the 3-point line and he shot 71.4 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 3.5 boards, 0.7 assists, and 0.5 steals per game. As a sophomore in 2020-21, he appeared in 33 games. He averaged 3.8 points per game while shooting 36.4 percent from the floor, 28.6 percent from behind the 3-point line and he shot 69.2 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 3.9 boards, 1.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. As a true freshman in 2019-20, he appeared in 24 games. He averaged 2.5 points per game while shooting 31.7 percent from the floor, 33.3 percent from behind the 3-point line and he shot 76.9 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 1.1 boards, 0.3 assists, and 0.2 steals per game. Coming out of Santa Margarita Catholic High School (WA), Agbonkpolo was ranked by 247 sports as the number 65 overall player in the country, the number 17 small forward, and the number 6 recruit in the State of California. He originally held offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Columbia, Gonzaga, Grand Canyon, Michigan, Rutgers, San Diego State, Santa Barbara, TCU, Texas, USC, Utah State, Virginia, and Washington. Agbonkpolo has a very good size for a small forward. He has been able to play both the three and four at the college level. Perhaps the biggest part of his game is his effectiveness as a slasher. He is an extremely versatile player who is a good fluid athlete with impressive body control. Prior to his injury his 3-ball was looking very much improved. I felt like that improvement alone was going to help make him a more consistent scorer. He has long arms which allow him to use his massive wingspan to swallow up opposing players and close down passing lanes. He has the quickness to guard pretty much any position.
PROJECTED 2023-24 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
SMALL FORWARD
14 Josh Uduje (6-5, 189, Jr., TR, 3*)
35 Nigel Burris (6-7, 224, So., TR, 3*)
2 Garrison Phelps (6-6, 192, Fr, HS, 3*)
23 Max Agbonkpolo (6-9, 194, Gr-Sr., TR, 4*) – INJURED
Coming Up On Friday: Shooting Guard