Predicting Texas basketball’s first transfer addition of the summer

Kim Aiken Jr., SF

Another appealing and recognizable player that is still available in the transfer portal during the summer months is the former Arizona Wildcats and Eastern Washington Eagles senior wing Kim Aiken Jr. This 6-foot-7 and 215-pound two-time All-Big Sky selection is one of the more underrated wings available in the portal at this point of the offseason.

There are a couple of key needs that Aiken would be able to fill for the Longhorns next season. He would add another lengthy and versatile player to the wing rotation that brings a plethora of experience to the table.

Aiken also showed the newfound ability to be an elite outside shooter in seven games played with Arizona last season. He shot an impressive 9-of-16 from beyond the arc last season, shooting over 40 percent from deep for the first time in his career.

But it’s not just the improved shooting from deep that would be valuable for this Texas wing rotation if Aiken joined the mix. He also is an extremely gritty and disruptive one-on-one wing defender that can also be very switchable.

Aiken has the ability to defend really any player between the one and the four. His length, basketball IQ, and lateral quickness allow Aiken to contend with almost any guard and/or forward that he could be matched up with on the defensive end of the floor.

Aiken’s effectiveness on the defensive end in the last few seasons is evidenced by his career average of 1.9 steals per 40 minutes, 1.3 blocks, and a career 1.5 defensive box plus/minus. He also steadily improved in terms of defensive metrics in each of the last three seasons.

I really like what a player like Aiken could do for the Longhorns on the wing. If Texas wants to kick the tires on a potential backup wing that could help bolster this part of the rotation, they should look no further than Aiken during the summer.