LSU transfer Xavier Pinson commits to New Mexico State
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico - Stop if you've heard this before. New Mexico State has landed a highly-coveted scorer from the transfer portal.
The Aggies landed a commitment from LSU transfer Xavier Pinson on Wednesday, announced by Pinson on his Instagram page.
A 6-2 guard, Pinson averaged 9.8 points and 4.8 assists per game while serving as LSU's starting point guard last season. But prior to his time in Baton Rouge, Pinson spent three seasons at Missouri.
During the 2020-21 season with Missouri Pinson started all 26 games for the Tigers averaging 13.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. He scored in double figures 18 times during that season, including a career-high 36-point performance against TCU.
Pinson's commitment is a massive win for new coach Greg Heiar and New Mexico State, as he chose the Aggies over power five programs Mississippi State and Georgia Tech. Ironically, Mississippi State is coached by former NMSU head coach Chris Jans, who departed for the Bulldogs in March.
A Chicago native, Pinson immediately aligns to become the Aggies starting point guard for the 2022-23 season.
He joins a completely reloaded backcourt with fellow Chicago native and Missouri transfer DaJuan Gordon, former JUCO player of the year Deshawndre Washington, junior-college three-point leader Kyle Feit, and incoming freshman Deuce Benjamin.
The Aggies had secured a commitment from UTSA transfer Jordan Ivy-Curry, but Ivy-Curry decommitted last weekend and eventually landed at Pacific. It is likely that Ivy Curry's de-commitment was the result of Pinson's looming presence on the roster.
Pinson finished 4th in the SEC in assist percentage last season, and helped lead the Tigers to Top 25 polls and 14-1 record to begin last season. He had seven or more assists in five of the last nine games.
While the Aggies lose guards Jabari Rice (Texas) and Teddy Allen (NBA) from last year's NCAA Tournament Round of 32 team, Greg Heiar has done a fantastic job of re-piecing his roster via the transfer portal and junior college circuit.
