SDSU’s Basketball Aztecs Look Strong for 2024-25

San Diego State basketball is looking stacked for the upcoming season. Here’s what the roster looks like.

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The offseason started out looking bleak for San Diego State. SDSU’s leading scorer, Nick Boyd, began the avalanche with a transfer to the University of Wisconsin for more NIL money. Following his lead, the two other top SDSU performers, Magoon Gwath (Mountain West freshman of the year and defensive player of the year) and Miles Byrd (second leading scorer) announced declarations to enter the NBA draft.

With other Mountain West teams experiencing similar roster overturns, such as Mountain West leading scorer Donovan Dent’s record-breaking 3 million dollar transfer to UCLA, there was little hope that San Diego State would have the finances to construct a roster capable of making a run in March. That was until Magoon Gwath announced his shocking withdrawal from the draft and a return to SDSU for another season. Gwath’s decision was the start of what would be a very active offseason for the Aztecs. The following months included commitments from two four-star recruits and three D1 transfers.

The offseason was then capped off this week with Miles Byrd announcing his decision to return to SDSU for another season, forfeiting his draft eligibility. The 2025-26 SDSU roster is one of the most experienced and deep rosters in school history. Here is a breakdown of the talent.

Returning Stars

Center – Magoon Gwath – Sophomore – 8.5 PTS/5.2 REB/2.6 BLK – 50.6% FG/37.8% 3PT – Mountain West Freshman of the Year, Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, and All Mountain West Defensive Team

Forward – Miles Byrd – Senior – 12.3 PTS/4.4 REB/2.1 STL/1.1 BLK – 38.1% 3PT/30.1% 3PT – All Mountain West Second Team and All Mountain West Defensive Team

The two surprise returns for the Aztecs headline a stacked roster. Coming off accolade-filled seasons, they will look to improve upon their 2024-25 successes.

Experienced Returners

Guard – BJ Davis – Junior – 9.0 PTS/3.0 REB/1.5 STL – 42.4% FG/35.9% 3PT

Guard – Reese Waters – Redshirt Senior (Stats are from 2023-24) – 9.6 PTS/3.7 TRB/1.2 AST – 40.1% FG/34.3% 3PT

Forward/Center Miles Heide – Junior – 4.7 PTS/3.7 TRB/0.3 BLK – 73.7% FG/31.0% FT

Guards BJ Davis and Reese Waters will lead a stacked guard room for the Aztecs in 2025. BJ Davis began the 2024 season as one of SDSU’s top scorers, but struggled in the second half. He will look to improve on an up-and-down sophomore season. Reese Waters is a very unique case. The former USC Trojan sat out last season with injury, but that hasn’t diminished his hopes for the upcoming season, as he was named to the 2025 Preseason All-Conference Team. The final member of this group, Miles Heide, found his way into the rotation after injuries last season and played competent basketball. His high efficiency makes him a viable option, and third-year improvements to his rim protection and free throw shooting could lead to a bigger role this season.

High-Potential Returning Sophomores

Guard – Taj DeGourville – Sophomore – 5.1 PTS/2.9 TRB/1.8 AST – 36.7% FG/30.4% 3PT

Forward/Center – Pharoh Compton – Sophomore – 5.4 PTS/2.4 REB/0.5 BLK – 64.5% FG/38% FT

While the numbers are far from eye-popping, their traits and potential make them a very exciting young duo off the bench.

Compton was a mainstay at backup center all season for the Aztecs. While he wasn’t playing big minutes, he established himself as one of the best dunkers in the Mountain West, finding himself on the game’s highlights every night. He has the speed of a guard at just 6’8″, but the strength to guard even the tallest players in Division 1. These two may not be on the headlines, but their development will be key to the Aztecs’ success in 2026.

Incoming Reinforcements

Forward – Jeremiah Oden – Sixth Year (Stats are from 2023-24) – 7.6 PTS/3.2 TRB/0.7 AST – 34.7% FG/31.3% 3PT

Guard – Sean Newman Jr. – Fifth Year – 9.9 PTS/7.9 AST/2.3 TRB – 38.6% FG/30.7% 3PT

Guard – Letrell Davis – Junior – 11.1 PTS/3.1 TRB/1.7 AST – 45.4% FG/38.3% 3PT

This is an inspiring transfer group for the Aztecs. Taking a look at the returning player stats and accolades, there are still some holes. These weaknesses lie in the areas of efficiency, playmaking, and top conference experience. SDSU coach Brian Dutcher made it a priority to fill these holes with transfers. Oden is coming in, having sat out last season with injury, but put up those statistics for DePaul in the Big East conference. He brings experience starting against top teams such as UConn and Crieghton that could prove vital come March. Newman Jr. is coming off a season where he finished third in the country in assists per game. This playmaking will fit in nicely with the scoring-centric backcourt of BJ Davis and Reese Waters. Finally, we have Davis, who is joining the Aztecs after an excellent season for the rival Spartans. On a roster filled with players who struggled to shoot over 40% last season, his efficient scoring splits will be a breath of fresh air for San Diego State.

The Freshmen Class

Forward – Tae Simmons – 4 Star – 20.8 PTS/10.7 TRB/1.7 STL – 3x California All-State

Guard – Elzie Harrington – 4 Star – 16.3 PTS/5.2 AST/3.4 TRB – Trinity League Co-MVP

This freshman duo joins the SDSU roster with as much potential as any class in SDSU history.

Simmons joins the squad from Heritage Christian High School. He is the No. 19 player in California and has been vocal about SDSU being his dream college. Having two highly regarded incoming freshmen solidifies the depth and future of the Aztecs program.

The Wildcards

Thokbor Majak – Redshirt Freshman

Ray Gonzalez – Sophomore

Kai Lee – Sophomore

These players did not play last season and don’t project to join the rotation next season; however, their physical traits could provide value if injuries tear down the roster this season. Majak headlines this group, coming to San Diego from South Sudan. His 7’0 208 lbs frame makes him a division 1 level center, and he was projected to see minutes had Magoon Gwath not decided to return. Gonzalez and Lee both have strong builds at 6’4 170 lbs, and 6’5 205 lbs, respectively. They could certainly be relied upon to play defense and space the floor if needed.