Texas Basketball: 3 early star transfer portal targets this offseason
Fardaws Aimaq, PF
One of the earliest portal targets that appear to already be on the Longhorns’ radar is the former Utah Valley Wolverines and Mercer Bears standout power forward Fardaws Aimaq. Texas is reportedly one of the many schools currently in contact with Aimaq in the transfer portal in the early stages of the offseason for this men’s hoops program.
Utah Valley transfer Fardaws Aimaq has heard from Kentucky, Gonzaga, West Virginia, Texas, Texas Tech, Florida, Virginia Tech, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Wazzu, Miami, Marquette, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Georgia Tech, sources told @Stockrisers.
— Jake (@jakeweingarten) March 19, 2022
Top-available transfer.
Some of the other schools apparently targeting Aimaq out of the transfer portal at the moment include the Gonzaga Bulldogs, Kentucky Wildcats, Texas Tech Red Raiders, Texas A&M Aggies, Florida Gators, Oklahoma Sooners, among a few others.
Texas would do well to at least address a few of the roster needs early this offseason by landing a commitment from Aimaq out of the portal. Granted, winning the battle to land the commitment of Aimaq out of the portal this offseason won’t come easy for Beard and the Longhorns staff.
It appears that Aimaq is currently the hottest commodity among the players currently in the portal heading into April. And that comes with good reason.
Aimaq is a two-time WAC Defensive Player of the Year and the 2020-21 WAC Player of the Year. He truly was one of the most efficient forwards in the entire country this season.
Moreover, Aimaq would help the Longhorns in terms of their floor spacing, frontcourt scoring, rebounding, and rim protection. The 6-foot-11 and 245-pound forward averaged around 19 points per game, 14 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block, in the season that was while shooting 49 percent from the field and 44 percent from beyond the arc.
Aimaq was one of the WAC leaders this season in terms of defensive rebounding percentage, free-throw attempt rate, and points produced. Those are all aspects that will help move the Longhorns roster forward next season.