FORWARD
Returning players: Isaac Johnson, Karson Templin
2023-24 players not returning: Dallin Grant (Transferred to Utah Tech), Great Osobor (Transferred to Washington)
2023-24 total production lost: 35 games, 35 starts, 17.7 PPG, 57.7 FG%, 21.4 3-PT%, 63.7 FT%, 9.0 REBs, 2.8 ASTs, 1.4 STLs, 1.4 BLKs
2023-24 total production returning: 58 games, 31 starts, 4.9 PPG, 50.6 FG%, 32.9 3-PT%, 75.0 FT%, 2.8 REBs, 0.7 ASTs, 0.3 BLKs
2023-24 total production transferring in (transfer portal): 14 games, 0 starts, 1.0 PPG, 37.5 FG%, 0.0 3-PT%, 50.0 FT%, 0.8 REBs, 0.1 ASTs, 0.2 BLKs
New faces in 2024-25:
Pavle Stosic 6’9″ 215 (NR) – Gonzaga University – (4 years to play 3)
2023-24 (Fr.) Stats: PPG: 1.0 FG%: 37.5 3PT%: 0.0 FT%: 50.0 REB: 0.8 AST: 0.1 BLK: 0.0
Offers from: UNKNOWN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lebWQJlzmek
2024-25 OUTLOOK
ISAAC JOHNSON
I think junior Isaac Johnson will get the start at this spot. As a redshirt sophomore last season, Johnson started in 31 of 35 games for the Aggies and averaged 6.6 points per game while shooting 47.8 percent from the floor, 34.2 percent from behind the 3-point line and he shot 84.6 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 3.1 boards, 0.8 assists, and 0.5 blocks.
During his 2-year career at Utah State and the University of Oregon, he has played 49 games with 31 starts and averaged 5.4 points per game while shooting 49.3 percent from the floor, 33.8 percent from behind the 3-point line and shot 79.2 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 2.5 boards, 0.7 assists, and 0.4 blocks.
According to 247sports coming out of American Fork High (UT), Johnson was rated as the 74th-best player nationally, the 18th-best center, and the 2nd-best prospect overall in Utah. He originally held offers from byu, Gonzaga, Kansas State, Oregon, Southern Utah, Stanford, USC, utah, and Wake Forest. After entering the transfer portal, Johnson chose the Aggies over offers from byu and utah.
Johnson is oozing with upside and not even yet scratching the surface of what he could be down the road. He has good size, length, and a soft touch that already extends beyond the three-point line. He has a quick release to get his shot off under pressure. He is an excellent perimeter shooter for his size, runs the floor well, and has shown the ability to be a decent rim protector as well. He shoots free throws at a high percentage. He can be a good rebounder when he is challenged to do so. The key is to have him feel challenged all the time. The way the Aggies play position-less basketball, he seems like an ideal fit for the modern game. His ability to stretch the floor at the forward position will give opposing defenses fits.
KARSON TEMPLIN
Sophomore Karson Templin will factor heavily into the rotation this season. As a true freshman last season, Templin saw action in 34 games for the Aggies and averaged 2.5 points per game while shooting 57.9 percent from the floor, 20.0 percent from behind the 3-point line and he shot 65.0 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 1.7 boards, 0.3 assists, and 0.3 blocks.
According to 247sports coming out of Lovejoy High (TX), Templin was rated as the 71st-best power forward nationally and the 31st-best prospect overall in Texas. Templin chose the Aggies over offers from Abilene Christian, Angelo State, Bucknell, Incarnate Word, Indiana State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Lipscomb, Maryland-Baltimore County, Oral Roberts, Sam Houston State, San Jose State, Toledo, UNLV, and Utah Valley.
The first thing that jumps out at me about Templin is his physical nature. He does not back down and rarely gives up any ground in the post. He already knows how to use his size and length to his advantage on the defensive end of the floor and is proving to be a sound rebounder. He has the ability to put the ball on the floor and knock down a pull-up jumper. He can take the ball strong to the hoop and can finish with a dunk or by absorbing contact. Although it may lack consistency now, he can step out and hit the 3-ball, forcing opposing defenders to play him honestly. Templin is a rare combination of strength in the post and finesse out on the perimeter.
PAVLE STOSIC
Pavle Stosic is a transfer from Gonzaga University who will enter the 2024-25 season as a sophomore with four years to complete his three years of remaining eligibility. In his first season of collegiate action last season, Stosic saw action in just 14 games for the Bulldogs, totaling 14 points and 11 rebounds in 46 minutes of action.
Stosic played three seasons of professional ball in Spain. He spent two seasons between Casademont Zaragoza and the Zaragoza U18 squad before joining CBP Huesca in the Spanish LEB leagues. Following a minor role with the team in 2021-22, he started in three games and made 16 appearances, averaging 3.4 points and 3.3 assists. Stosic also represented his home country of Serbia in the FIBA U18 European Challengers in 2021. That experience saw him put up 6.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in five games.
Stosic is a classic “stretch 4”. He can go down low and bang under the hoop but can also pop out and knock down the 3-ball with a surprising amount of accuracy. He has nice follow-through and a shot with few hitches which isn’t expected from a player his size. He also runs the floor really well for a frontcourt player. He has the skill to develop into a player that does a little of everything. This means he’ll be able to rebound, score down low, hit the jumper, and play defense at an efficient rate. He definitely isn’t a guy who will just float around the 3-point line and hope he gets a chance to jack up a shot. He does have enough upside that his athletic ability will allow him to become a solid defender and shot-blocking threat. His years spent playing professionally overseas have certainly led to him having the “European” feel to his game. I think Stosic will be a very pleasant surprise for Aggie fans.
PROJECTED 2024-25 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
FORWARD
20 Isaac Johnson (7-0, 227, Jr., 1L, 4*)
22 Karsen Templin (6-8, 217, So., 1L, 3*)
1 Pavle Stosic (6-9, 215, So., TR, NR)