The San Diego State basketball front court is going to look drastically different come the 2026-2027 season. In the first announcement Monday afternoon, Miles Heide the Aztecs big man made his decision known via social media of his intent to enter the transfer portal.
For Miles Heide, he recently signed and announced his new signing with a player representation group PSG, and was on the expected list with that early signal. The the 6’9″ forward/center completed his true junior season averaging 5.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and hit 61% from the field.
A three year Aztec, Heide was a coveted recruit just after the Aztecs 2023 National Championship runner-up season. The native of North Bend, Washington was personally recruited by coach Brian Dutcher and had impactful minutes during the 2023-2024 sweet sixteen season as a true freshman.
Although his progression was staggered a bit the next two seasons, Heide had his share of moments this junior season where his name became a fan favorite heard chanted from inside the arena.
From running the floor in transition dunks, to diving for rebounds, and then randomly hitting a three pointer in the least expected moment—to watch that progression play out was delightful to witness at times.
His toughness of offensive rebounding pushed the Aztecs in many key spots. Though free throws plagued his first two seasons hitting just above 30%, in this his junior year he increased it to over 50%. Most notably his clutch free throws against New Mexico in Viejas Arena helped seal the victory over the rival Lobos.
Unfortunately for Heide and the team, perhaps no other time spoke louder this season than that in the Mountain West Tournament Championship game. Heide injured his hand against New Mexico the night before in the semifinals and had to leave the court. He was unavailable the next day against Utah State.
Going without that experienced, extra big-body down low, was visibly evident as the Aztecs were out muscled in many spots on the evening. Perhaps the Aztecs had enough to get the job done, but how much would his availability have meant for the fortunes of SDSU making the NCAA Tournament with a must win situation? We’ll never know.
In today’s NIL/Transfer Portal climate, Heide’s earlier announcement of his PSG representation was perhaps an indication of the negotiation at hand. With no public word of his willingness to remain an Aztec, this official intent to enter the portal sums up where the process went.
All the best to the Mighty Heide for three memorable years on & off the court and all the best to a quality big man, who now in his senior season should be primed for a much more substantial output in a program that could truly use his size, passion and experience.
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