Texas Hoops: Portal decisions on the horizon

The Texas Longhorns are two pieces away from putting together a roster that can compete with anyone in college basketball.

Rodney Terry and staff’s 2023-24 season was bolstered May 18 with the return of point guard Tyrese Hunter.

Hunter, who has played in an Elite Eight and two Sweet 16’s, provides Texas with an on the ball defender that improved his perimeter game in year two of college basketball. And along with Brock Cunningham, he brings toughness, leadership and an understanding of playing for Terry that will be invaluable for a roster that will have six or seven new faces.

Texas has already added four players from the portal, headlined by two-time Summit League Player of the Year and scoring machine Max Abmas.

The Longhorns are in search of two more players from the portal. That could be two guards, or one guard and one big wing/combo forward.

The Texas Longhorns current roster

PG Tyrese Hunter, 6-0.5, junior (10.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists)
G Max Abmas, 6-0, super senior (21.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists at ORU)
G Chendall Weaver, 6-3, sophomore (9.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists at UTA)
F Alex Anamekwe, 6-5.5, sophomore (1.5 points, 0.7 rebounds)
F Brock Cunningham, 6-5.5, super duper senior (4.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists)
PF Dylan Disu, 6-9, super senior (8.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks)
PF Ze’Rik Onyema, 6-8, senior (7.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 0.5 blocks at UTEP)
C Kadin Shedrick, 6-11, senior (6.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 blocks at Virginia)

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Texas guard portal targets nearing decisions

Texas has a pair of guard targets in the portal that Terry and staff have a legit shot to land.

North Carolina 6-foot-4 explosive scorer Caleb Love is likely to decide between UConn and Texas next week with Alabama, and possibly Florida remaining in the mix. UConn’s sell is obvious. They won the National Championship, and shooting guard Jordan Hawkins is about to be drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft. The Longhorns are selling creating the most explosive scoring backcourt in the country. Love would combine with Hunter and Max Abmas to create a starting three guard lineup that would scare every opponent on the schedule. Add in WAC Freshman of the Year transfer Chendall Weaver, and the Longhorns would have a more talented backcourt than last season offensively and athletically.

Love averaged 14.6 points three years at North Carolina, including 200 three-point makes and 81.5% from the free throw line. He has scored 20 points or more in 25 of 101 college games.

Rutgers grad transfer guard Cam Spencer is the best perimeter shooter and half court feel player remaining in the portal. Should Texas win out for the 6-foot-4 Spencer, the Longhorns would likely have the best three-point shooting team in the history of Texas basketball. Spencer averaged 13.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game in 2022-23. That included 43.4% from three with 72 makes, and 89.4% from the free throw line. In Big 10 and post-season play, Spencer averaged 11.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.6 steals. That included 43.2% from three at over two makes per game.

Texas would welcome both Love and Spencer, and likely close up shop. That is not that likely to happen, as of today.

Vanderbilt transfer guard Tyrin Lawrence is a longer shot, and could opt to stay in the draft. Returning to Vanderbilt is also an option.

Texas could add one forward

Creighton combo forward Arthur Kaluma remains another possibility should the Longhorns not go with two more guards. The 6-foot-7 Kaluma has been said to prefer Arizona or Texas. Arizona picked up a commitment from San Diego State 6-foot-7 transfer forward Keshad Johnson Saturday. Kaluma averaged 11.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists on the Blue Jays Elite Eight team.

Tennessee small forward Julian Phillips is currently expected to stay in the draft. Texas freshman forward Dillon Mitchell is also more likely to stay in the draft, as of today.

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