5 early Texas transfer targets entering the 2024 offseason

Mekhi Mason, SG/SF

Another portal target that has likely already been on the Longhorns' radar early this offseason is the former Rice Owls sophomore shooting guard Mekhi Mason. The 6-foot-5 and 195-pound two-guard from Gilbert, AZ, is currently rated as the No. 1 transfer shooting guard in the 247Sports Composite.

A report from 24/7 High School Hoops on X on March 24 indicates that Texas has already contacted Mason since he entered the transfer portal on March 20. He's also reportedly received interest from the Kansas State Wildcats, Texas Tech Red Raiders, Ole Miss Rebels, Arkansas Razorbacks, Texas A&M Aggies, USC Trojans, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish, among many other power conference schools.

Texas faced Mason and the Owls during the 2023-24 season in non-conference play, so there is some familiarity between him and the Longhorns' staff. It's also not a huge transition from playing college ball in Houston at Rice to Austin, TX, with the Longhorns.

Mason could provide some of that off-ball scoring, length, switchability, and floor spacing that Texas is losing with Horton's exhausted eligibility entering next season. He's a career 36 percent three-point shooter who is coming off averaging a career-high 14 points per game during the 2023-24 season.

Mason is a tremendous athlete who can beat you off the dribble, pull up, or find open teammates on drive and kick plays. He's a slasher who can get to the rim and finish through contact. When the driving lane isn't available, Mason is a threat to pull up from deep or the mid-range.

I like the idea of Texas utilizing Mason as a secondary scoring option and a real spark plug off the bench.

The combination of Mason's length, athleticism, and shooting ability makes him a viable option as a secondary facilitator and playmaker.

Mason has the makings of a real gamer. If he gets into a bigger program with more resources and a better supporting cast around him, he has the potential to be a really solid slashing two-guard with all-conference-level upside if he earns a starting role next season at his next stop out of the portal.

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