Texas Basketball: Big transfer target emerging in PF Dusan Mahorcic

The pursuit of big-time targets out of the NCAA Transfer Portal continues for new head coach Chris Beard and the Texas basketball program in the month of May. Texas has already landed four commitments out of the transfer portal as of the morning of May 9.

A new transfer portal target has arrived on the scene for the Longhorns this weekend, with former Illinois State Redbirds 6-foot-10 and 230 pound power forward Dusan Mahorcic naming this school among his finalists. Mahorcic could be looking to announce his decision in the very near future, and he could very well add depth to the frontcourt rotation on the Forty Acres.

According to a report from 247Sports on May 9, Texas is one of four finalist schools for Mahorcic out of the transfer portal this offseason. He is reportedly also “leaning” toward making a decision as soon as later this week.

Texas basketball among finalists for PF Dusan Mahorcic

The four finalist schools that Mahorcic is down to, outside of Texas, are the Florida Gators, Penn State Nittany Lions, and BYU Cougars.

Here’s more on what this 247Sports piece showed Mahorcic had to say about Texas as a potential destination for him out of the transfer portal.

"Our relationship has been really good, Texas has been on my line since I entered the transfer portal but we’re still going over some requirements for the school before they officially offer me. They should let us know in the next day or so what’s going on with them. I spoke with coach Beard a couple of times, we had a couple of zooms and I have a good relationship with coach Jerrance Howard. I’m really excited about Texas and their plan for me would be to play the five down there If I were to go there."

Texas is continuing to stay active in the transfer portal this offseason to see what is available to keep building up the roster. Beard reportedly is active himself in the recruitment of Mahorcic, along with new Texas assistant coach Jerrance Howard.

Mahorcic had a breakthrough first year playing at the Division I level in college hoops during the 2020-21 campaign. He started in 16 of the 22 games he played in for the Redbirds last season, and was incredibly efficient in the process.

In those 22 games played last season, Mahorcic averaged 9.9 points per game, 7.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.3 blocks. And he shot 59.1 percent from the field, hit on his sole attempt from beyond the arc, and was 50.0 percent from the free-throw line.

Mahorcic ranked among the conference leaders in a number of key stat categories last season in the Missouri Valley. He ranked fifth in the conference in rebounds per game, third in total offensive rebounds (59), second in offensive rebounding percentage (12.9), and 12th in player efficiency rating (20.0).

Last season, Mahorcic also registered a 0.8 box plus/minus rating, .121 win shares per 40 minutes, 1.6 total win shares, 58.0 true shooting percentage, and a 106 offensive rating/103 defensive rating.

Texas finished up last season with a record of 19-8 (11-6 Big 12) under the direction of former head coach Shaka Smart. Back on April 1, the former Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Beard took over for Smart as the next head coach.