WING
Returning players: Ian Martinez
2023-24 players not returning: Max Agbonkpolo (Transferred to Montana State), Nigel Burris (Transferred to Weber State), Garrison Phelps (Transferred to New Mexico Junior College), Josh Uduje (Transferred to San Jose State)
2023-24 total production lost: 65 games, 11 starts, 5.8 PPG, 39.5 FG%, 22.8 3-PT%, 73.4 FT%, 2.4 REBs, 0.6 ASTs, 0.6 STLs
2023-24 total production returning: 34 games, 29 starts, 13.3 PPG, 47.4 FG%, 38.1 3-PT%, 85.6 FT%, 3.6 REBs, 1.8 ASTs, 0.9 STLs, 0.8 BLKs
2023-24 total production transferring in (transfer portal): 31 games, 29 starts, 14.5 PPG, 41.5 FG%, 38.1 3-PT%, 81.3 FT%, 3.7 REBs, 1.5 ASTs, 0.9 STLs, 0.5 BLKs
New faces in 2024-25:
Tucker Anderson 6’9″ 190 (247 3*) – University of Central Arkansas – (4 years to play 3)
2023-24 (Fr.) Stats: PPG: 14.5 FG%: 41.5 3PT%: 38.1 FT%: 81.3 REB: 3.7 AST: 1.5 STL: 0.9
Offers from: Arkansas, Belmont, Colorado, Colorado St, Davidson, DePaul, Liberty, Louisville, Loyola-Chicago, LSU, Ohio St, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Samford, Tulsa, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Xavier
https://247sports.com/Player/Tucker-Anderson-46148609/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq1NTjQ8GqU
2024-25 OUTLOOK
IAN MARTINEZ
Senior Ian Martinez is poised to have a big final season in an Aggie jersey. In his first season as an Aggie last season, he played 34 games with 29 starts and averaged 13.3 points per game while shooting 47.4 percent from the floor, 38.1 percent from behind the 3-point line and he shot 85.6 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 3.6 boards, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. For his solid effort last season, he earned an Honorable Mention all-Mountain West Conference nod. During his 4-year career at Utah State, the University of Maryland, and the university of utah, he has played 122 games with 32 starts and averaged 7.0 points per game while shooting 45.1 percent from the floor, 36.6 percent from behind the 3-point line and he shot 82.6 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 2.5 boards, 1.1 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game.
According to 247sports, coming out of JSerra Catholic High (CA), Martinez was rated as the 67th-best player nationally, the 10th-best shooting guard, and the 9th-best prospect overall in California. He originally held offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Long Beach State, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, Northridge, Pepperdine, San Diego State, Santa Barbara, USC, and utah.
Martinez has decent size for a shooting guard. But what stands out when you watch him is his explosive athleticism. He has a bounce in his step rarely seen in athletes at Utah State. Throughout his collegiate career, he has been a streaky shooter but he can score from all three levels on the floor and is becoming one of the more reliable shooters on the team. He has a respectable handle and court vision so in a pinch, he can play as a secondary ball handler. Turnovers have not been an issue for him at Utah State so far. His narrow frame still has plenty of room to add strength which would be a plus. He has shown a solid understanding of the game and has an upper-level basketball IQ. His elite physical ability gives him a high upside on defense and he will not struggle guarding players in the Mountain West Conference.
TUCKER ANDERSON
Tucker Anderson is a transfer from the University of Central Arkansas who will enter the 2024-25 season as a sophomore with four years to complete his final three seasons of eligibility. In his first season of collegiate action last season, Anderson started in 29 of 31 games for the Bears and averaged 14.5 points per game while shooting 41.5 percent from the floor, 38.1 percent from behind the 3-point line and he shot 81.3 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 3.7 boards, 1.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. Thanks to his strong performance last season, he was named the Atlantic Sun Conference Freshman of the Year.
After entering the transfer portal, Anderson chose the Aggies over offers from Arkansas, Belmont, Colorado, Colorado State, Davidson, DePaul, Liberty, Louisville, Loyola-Chicago, LSU, Ohio State, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Samford, Tulsa, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Xavier.
Anderson is the dangerous outside shooter this team needed to add in the offseason. He has as pure a shot as anyone who has put on an Aggie uniform since Sam Merrill. He has the athletic ability and height advantage to pull up, rise, and fire from almost any spot on the floor. He already has an array of offensive moves that will become more polished in time, making him an extremely dangerous player on all three levels on the floor. He is long-armed enough that he is capable of defending out on the perimeter and keeping quicker players in front of him. He is bouncy enough to quickly get off the ground and get a hand in the face of an opposing player taking a shot. He boxes out well and as he adds strength, rebounding will become a better part of his game. In watching Anderson I see his role on this team being much more of a WING as opposed to playing as a power forward.
PROJECTED 2024-25 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
WING
4 Ian Martinez (6-3, 185, Gr-Sr., 1L, 4*)
2 Tucker Anderson (6-9, 190, So., TR, 3*)
7 Dexter Akanno (6-5, 210, Gr-Sr., TR, 3*)
Coming Up On Wednesday: Point Guard