All-Conference Guard Chooses New Mexico After Portal Frenzy

Hudson Mayes details his decision to join the Lobos over multiple six-figure offers from Power Five programs.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:42pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a basketball player in motion, broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color, conceptually representing the multifaceted decision-making process of a college basketball transfer.A cubist interpretation of a rising college basketball star's decision to join a mid-major program, highlighting the complex factors that go into modern transfer portal choices.San Diego Today

Hudson Mayes, an All-Big West Conference honorable mention selection from UC-San Diego, has signed with the University of New Mexico after entering the NCAA transfer portal. Mayes, a 6-5, 200-pound rising sophomore guard, had received hundreds of calls and texts from potential suitors, including significant six-figure offers from Power Five programs. However, Mayes ultimately chose New Mexico, citing the program's tradition, home environment, and his relationship with head coach Eric Olen and the coaching staff.

Why it matters

The transfer portal has become an increasingly important part of the college basketball landscape, with top players like Mayes often receiving significant interest and lucrative offers from programs looking to bolster their rosters. Mayes' decision to join New Mexico over more prominent programs highlights the Lobos' ability to attract high-level talent and their ambitions to be a national contender.

The details

Mayes, the Tritons' No. 2 scorer at 11.1 points per game, had lost track of the 'hundreds' of phone calls and texts he received from potential suitors after entering the transfer portal. The 6-5, 200-pound guard had offers from Baylor, Notre Dame, and Syracuse, among other top programs, but ultimately chose to join New Mexico, where he will have three years of eligibility remaining. Mayes cited the Lobos' tradition, home environment, and his relationship with head coach Eric Olen as key factors in his decision.

  • Mayes entered the NCAA transfer portal earlier this month.
  • Mayes made his decision to join New Mexico on Monday, April 14, 2026.

The players

Hudson Mayes

A 6-5, 200-pound rising sophomore guard who was an All-Big West Conference honorable mention selection at UC-San Diego. Mayes is the son of former Notre Dame All-America wideout and Green Bay Packers Super Bowl champion Derrick Mayes, and the grandson of Naismith Hall of Famer and former ABA star Roger Brown.

Eric Olen

The head coach of the University of New Mexico men's basketball team. Olen guided the Lobos to 26 wins and an NIT semifinals appearance in his debut season in 2025-26.

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What they’re saying

“It felt like absolutely forever. If you asked me how long ago, I would tell you two months ago not officially one week in the portal. I tried not to let myself get too stressful with it. My agent (NBA certified agent KJ Smith of Range Sports) told me once you do enter, you're going to get hundreds of texts and calls.”

— Hudson Mayes, Rising Sophomore Guard

“New Mexico's rich with tradition and we want to continue that here and that just starts with building really good basketball teams. It's a great place to play college basketball, up there with the best home environments anywhere in the country and we believe in what this place can be. We think New Mexico basketball is a national brand, we want to be relevant on that stage and Hudson helps us do that.”

— Eric Olen, Head Coach, University of New Mexico

What’s next

Mayes will join the New Mexico Lobos for the 2026-27 season, where he will have three years of eligibility remaining. The Lobos will look to build on their successful 2025-26 campaign and make a push for the NCAA Tournament with the addition of Mayes.

The takeaway

The intense competition for top transfer portal talent like Hudson Mayes highlights the changing landscape of college basketball. While Mayes had lucrative offers from Power Five programs, he ultimately chose to join a rising mid-major program in New Mexico, prioritizing factors like tradition, environment, and relationships over pure financial compensation.