For years, the San Diego State University men’s basketball program has featured what commentator and NBA legend Charles Barkley deemed “grown ass men.” These were mature fourth and fifth-year seniors capable of physically imposing their will on the opposing team as we saw with recent grad Jaedon LeDee.
The 2024-2025 version of Aztecs hoops, however, has skewed in the opposite direction offering one of the youngest and most inexperienced squads in recent memory. Of the top nine rotation players for SDSU, six of them are in their sophomore year of eligibility or younger. That youth might help explain some of the roller coaster nature of the season thus far.
But over the last few weeks, the young Aztecs are beginning to emerge as a force to be reckoned with for the Mountain West Conference and beyond.
Leading the charge for the newcomers is 7-foot forward Magoon Gwath. Earlier this week, the redshirt freshman from Texas earned his third MWC Freshman of the Week award.
In the last eight games, Gwath has averaged 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game while shooting 62% overall and 40% from three. Not surprisingly, SDSU has a record of 7-1 during that stretch.
In Tuesday’s 83-60 win over visiting Fresno State, Gwath poured in 14 points, grabbed 6 rebounds and recorded 3 blocks in only 23 minutes of work.
He ranks #7 in blocks per game nationally at 2.69 and #8 in total blocks with 62. The first-year forward already owns the freshman blocks record for San Diego State.
After seeing Gwath tally 6 blocks against his Boise State team, Mountain West Preseason Player of the Year Tyson Degenhart offered a summary of the impact Gwath’s rim protection has on opposing teams.
“It makes you adjust every shot in there,” the Broncos forward shared with SI.com’s Bob Lundeberg. “He had five blocks tonight. When you go in there with a guy like that, you’re a little more timid. He’s 7-foot with long arms, he affects a lot of shots. He made a big impact on the defensive end.”
Joining their freshman counterpart with significant contributions on Tuesday evening against FSU were Taj DeGourville and Pharaoh Compton. The two longtime friends and former youth ball teammates connected on a sweet alley-oop about eight minutes into the game that brought the Viejas Arena crowd to its feet.
It is the type of highlight play Aztecs fans were hoping for when the two signed out of high school last season. Watching these two on the court together, one immediately sees the chemistry they have and familiarity with each other’s games.
“Our depth is helping us this time of the year. Hopefully that will serve us well as we play the last five games of the conference schedule.”– Coach Brian Dutcher.
Over his last seven games, the 6’5” guard DeGourville has averaged nearly 7 points, 3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. He scored 6 points and added 4 assists against the Bulldogs in 21 minutes off the bench showcasing his constant calm demeanor and outstanding court vision.
DeGourville has earned two MWC Freshman of the Week awards this season while being one of only five players to have played in every game thus far. His game continues to grow with more opportunities.
For MWC Preseason Freshman of the Year selection Compton, success hasn’t come as quickly as many expected for the top 100 signee out of high school. But the potential is there for all to see as evidenced by two MWC Freshman of the Week awards, as well.
The 6’8” forward possesses the physical frame to be a force in the paint. The freshman leads the MWC with a 61% field goal percentage; a mark made more understandable when you learn 44% of his shot attempts are dunks.
Compton plays with energy and a high motor every time he steps on the court. No doubt, San Diego State’s experienced coaches will continue to work with him on defensive positioning and staying assignment focused.
With Gwath beginning to draw the eye of NBA scouts, the key for SDSU will be to keep these newcomers from taking off for potentially more lucrative offers elsewhere, be that in the pros or another school.
These three freshmen, along with fellow underclassmen Miles Byrd, BJ Davis and Miles Heide, will be counted on heavily for the team’s success this season while possibly forming the core of an exciting and richly talented team next year.
San Diego State takes on Utah State this Saturday night at 5pm PST on the road in Logan, Utah. The game can be heard on SDSports AM 760 and can be watched on CBS Sports Network.
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