San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher was asked last month about the state of next season’s roster. He shrugged.
“You know, I really don’t know,” he said. “There’ll be familiar faces and there’ll be new faces.”
That is not just SDSU. That is everybody in college basketball in an era of transaction and transiency that has been compared to unlimited free agency without a salary cap.
The last few weeks have been crazy, a flurry of behind-the-scenes discussions with current players and representatives of future ones. But it really gets nutso starting Tuesday morning, when the transfer portal officially opens and players can officially move.
Dutcher was able to retain most of his roster last season, ranking eighth among 365 Division I programs in minutes continuity at 55.8%. That probably won’t happen again, with the sour taste of an underachieving season and the temptation of seven-figure payouts likely resulting in something between a minor and major overhaul.
“I like where we’re at,” Dutcher said last week as he headed for the Final Four in Indianapolis. “We’ll see if it all comes together.”
The Aztecs lose three seniors and add one freshman, 6-foot-6 wing Zach White from Notre Dame High in Sherman Oaks. That means they’ll have at least two available slots and as many as five or six, depending on transfer portal departures.
Here’s a real-time look at the ever-evolving 2026-27 roster. We’ll update it as commitments are finalized.
SDSU coach Brian Dutcher hugs Miles Byrd during Senior Night festivities prior the Aztecs’ game against UNLV at Viejas Arena on March 6. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Gone
Reese Dixon-Waters (6-5 guard): The sixth-year senior is out of eligibility following a productive season in which he averaged a team-high 13.1 points and was named second team all-Mountain West.
Jeremiah Oden (6-8 forward): Another sixth-year senior out of eligibility who started 15 games at the 4 but never really clicked, averaging 4.6 points in 13 minutes and being the odd-man out when Dutcher trimmed the rotation late in the season.
Sean Newman Jr. (6-1 guard): He went from third in Division I in assists per game at 7.9 to 2.4 as a reserve off the bench when he stepped up a level from Louisiana Tech. Because he spent two years in junior college and only three in Division I, he could petition for another year of eligibility. If he does, it isn’t expected to be at SDSU.
Miles Byrd (6-6 guard): The fourth-year junior announced March 27 that “the next chapter of my journey” will be in the transfer portal. The Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year is currently No. 4 in the On3.com portal rankings and No. 5 in 247Sports, courted by many of the nation’s top programs for what is widely considered well into seven figures.
SDSU guard BJ Davis waves to the crowd after a win against New Mexico in the semifinal of the Mountain West tournament in Las Vegas on March 13. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Almost gone
BJ Davis (6-2 guard): His agency announced his intention to enter the portal two weeks ago, although Davis has since said he’s “still considering staying” at SDSU for his final year of eligibility. That kept the door ajar, but just barely; he’s still expected to leave. As a junior, he was SDSU’s second-leading scorer at 10.8 points per game despite starting only seven times. His ability to create his own shot, particularly in big moments, will be attractive to power conference teams.
Miles Heide (6-9 forward): His agency formally announced Monday afternoon that he will enter the portal, which is a pretty good indication he will play elsewhere next season. The Aztecs are expected to upgrade the center position, ideally with a rebounder and a shooting big from Europe, and that means there’s not room for both Heide and Pharaoh Compton to stay.
Magoon Gwath (7-0 forward): His agency told several outlets he will enter the portal, which he also did last year before withdrawing a week later and returning to the Aztecs. So history says there’s still a chance he could return. He was their highest-paid player last season, and arguably the biggest disappointment — starting just 16 games and averaging 8.9 points and 4.3 rebounds. First, it was recovering from offseason knee surgery, then a hip problem that cost him six games midway through the conference schedule. The question was whether they’ll take that financial risk again for an enormously talented player who can’t seem to stay healthy. “We’ll see where that leads in his future,” Dutcher said last month, perhaps telegraphing his decision, “either at San Diego State or somewhere else.”
SDSU’s Taj DeGourville and Magoon Gwath walk off the court after a loss to Utah State in the Mountain West tournament final in Las Vegas on March 14. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Unknown
Pharaoh Compton (6-7 forward): An interesting case. His length and athleticism could command more money elsewhere, but at last check he didn’t have an agent and appears relatively content at SDSU. A lot may depend on his projected role for next season. He started just once and averaged 13 minutes, and his playing time was noticeably cut toward the end of the season. With Heide out with a broken finger for the Mountain West championship game, he still got only 9½ minutes.
Taj DeGourville (6-5 guard): He started the first five games at point, then was replaced by freshman Elzie Harrington and reduced to a reserve role mostly as an off-guard. He averaged 5.5 points and shot 37.1%, second lowest among rotation players. That screams change of scenery, but DeGourville, like his childhood buddy Compton, likes Montezuma Mesa and may push to stay.
SDSU forward Tae Simmons celebrates a win against New Mexico in the semifinal of the Mountain West tournament in Las Vegas on March 13. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Probably staying
Elzie Harrington (6-5 guard): He played only 23 games but it was enough to show glistening upside, shooting a team-high 43.6% on 3s and operating with a silky composure belying his experience. The question, like Gwath, is his health. A lower-leg injury plagued him over the back half of the season, and there may be surgery in his future. That may deter deep-pocketed suitors and help the Aztecs keep him. Dutcher has sounded confident they can.
Tae Simmons (6-6 forward): He went from the third-choice power forward and possible redshirt candidate to a starter in the conference tournament and a pillar of the program going forward. He averaged only 5.8 points and 3.4 rebounds, but he did it in just 14 minutes per game. Extrapolated over 40 minutes, that’s 16.4 points and 9.6 rebounds (best among rotation players). He’s been open about staying. Expect him to have a big role next season.
Latrell Davis (6-3 guard): Dutcher has said “if we had him and played him this year, we’d be in the NCAA Tournament.” Instead, the San Jose State transfer redshirted, part of a pre-determined agreement if Byrd exited the NBA Draft last spring. But he was the best player in practice many days, and his ability to shoot the 3 and attack the rim makes him a valuable addition to the backcourt next season. Dutcher describes him as “a first-team all-conference type player.”
Thokbor Majak (7-1 forward): The South Sudanese shot swatter made great strides in his second year with the program but still has a way to go after getting a late start in basketball. Beloved by his coaches and teammates, it’s hard to imagine him going anywhere else.