In the new normal of transfer portal-era college basketball, integrating seven newcomers into a roster isn’t particular unusual or daunting.
That’s the situation the UTEP men are in as they move toward the Nov. 6 opener of coach Joe Golding’s third season.
The Miners are bringing in five transfers (two of those from junior college) and two freshmen as they tweak a roster to compliment three returning starters.
The goal is to improve shooting and ball handling, the big problems of a year ago.
“We’ve done a great job of building the culture,” Golding said. “It’s not where we want it, but we’re moving in the right direction. I like where we’re at for this time of year.
“The veterans have done a good job of setting the tone and the newcomers have done a good job of meshing with them.
“I’m happy with them, I really enjoy coaching this team…We have a long ways to go still, it’s early, but I’m excited with where we’re at.”
Here is a look at the new Miners.
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The prime recruit of the new class, Powell is expected to step right in as the starting point guard, which is what he was at Buffalo last season.
He averaged 13.0 points in his one season there (he was at Harcum Junior College before that) and 2.7 assists. He also lead the team in free-throw shooting, which was UTEP’s absolute worst deficiency last season.
The transition to UTEP has “been easy,” Powell said. “Everybody isn’t selfish, everybody is sharing the ball, everybody is laughing off the court. We’re bonding, getting our chemistry up.
“The only thing that was hard for me to pick up was the defense. The defense was different. The offense, a lot of other things, are the same.”
Golding said he likes what he’s seen so far.
“Zid Powell has been around the block a long time, he’s played Division I basketball before at Buffalo,” Golding said. “He’s everything we thought he was.”
Camper was an honorable mention junior college all-American last season when he averaged 19.9 points a game for Tyler. He was a 36% 3-point shooter last year which marks a big upgrade for the Miners, who were among the nation’s worst 3-point shooting teams in 2022-23.
“It’s a great atmosphere here,” Camper said. “Everything about El Paso feels like home. The hardest transition from JUCO to Division I is probably getting up and going to classes. In JUCO we were all online. I like this better, you meet more people, meet classmates. This is definitely more fun.”
Trey Horton 6-5 Fr. G, Charlotte Hough High
Horton averaged 11.3 points and 3.5 assists a game in his senior season and the hope is he can add a shooting dimension to the roster.
“Trey Horton can really, really shoot the basketball, he can make shots which as everyone around here knows is needed,” Golding said.
Adjusting to college so far from home hasn’t been easy for Horton but he’s managing.
“It was tough at first, obviously,” Horton said. “I’m from Charlotte, a bit away from home. It was tough at the beginning, but I feel like the coaching staff and my teammates made it much easier. We’re like brothers already. We have a good bond.”
David Terrell Jr. 6-4 Fr. G, Mansfield Summit
An all-state player in high school, Terrell averaged 13.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists last season and was his district’s defensive player of the year.
He is a three-star recruit and has impressed in the fall.
“The transition has been great since I got here,” Terrell said. “There are growing pains being a freshman and a newcomer, but I’m taking it pretty well. Coach Gunter has been helping me, a lot of the returners have been helping me. It’s going good so far.
“The school has been tougher than the basketball at this point, but I’m getting both done. It’s been pretty easy.”
Elijah Jones 6-8 Fr. F, East Carolina
Jones arrived last year from East Carolina and worked out with the team but wasn’t eligible. He is now.
As a high school player at national powerhouse Mount Zion Prep, Jones averaged 14.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks.
Hebb will be instant help for UTEP if he is granted eligibility this year by the NCAA. This is his second transfer (he began his career at Loyola-Chicago) so he will need a waiver and will have to sit out the year if he doesn’t get it.
He was a rotation player last year at Colorado State, averaging 12.7 minutes and 2.3 points a game.
Sebastian Cole 5-11 Jr. G, Otero College
A part-time starter at Otero, Cole averaged 11.8 points a game last season and shot 44% from 3-point range. That shooting could represent a significant upgrade for the Miners.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at 915-546-6359; bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: UTEP men’s basketball welcomes 7 newcomers for 2023-24 season
